This recipe has been sponsored by Powell & Mahoney, but as always all thoughts and opinions are mine.
Today we are celebrating the beginning of spring with a refreshing Pineapple Margarita recipe. If you are a lover of margaritas like me, you probably find it hard to choose between a frozen margarita or margarita on the rocks. If that is you, no need to worry because I am going to share how to make both versions in your very own kitchen.
Plus, below you will find my tips and tricks to serve it to a crowd along with a few ways to spice up your tequila and pineapple drink game.
Can’t get enough of delicious margarita recipes? Check out my Strawberry Basil Tequila Cocktail and Blueberry Margarita recipe as well.
Ingredients
Before I talk about how to make a margarita, I want to go back to basics and talk about the ingredients to make a delicious margarita.
The basic margarita on the rocks recipe includes:
- Tequila
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Orange liquor / Triple Sec (such as Grand Marnier)
- Simple syrup (or Honey Simple Syrup for a naturally sweetened margarita)
- Ice
To make it, you simply blend everything in a shaker with ice and pour over a margarita glass filled with ice.
As you can see, it is so simple to make margaritas, especially if you are serving just a few people. However, things get a little more complicated when you are serving a crowd. Think about serving 30+ people!
It is a lot of work to put all of that together and make it for a large group. Believe me, I have been there many times.
If you can relate, you will love Powell & Mahoney’s margarita mix. I have been a long time fan and have been using their products for 3 years now.
Carefully crafted using premium ingredients and sweetened with cane sugar and agave, they offer a variety of margarita mixes ranging from skinny margarita to jalapeno margarita (like I used in this Spicy Jalapeno Margarita recipe) to mango passion fruit margarita.
With all the spring and summer parties (i.e. Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day just around the corner) and picnics coming up, I thought it would be a good idea to make this pineapple margarita recipe using Powell & Mahoney’s margarita mix. This way, you can see how easy it is to make the most delicious sweet margarita recipe in no time, even if you are serving a lot of people.
How to make a it on the rocks?
The first method, making Pineapple Margarita on the Rocks, has 2 folds.
First, you fill a shaker with ice and add in tequila, pineapple juice, triple sec, and Powell and Mahoney’s margarita mix.
Second, you give it a good shake and pour it in a margarita glass full of ice.
If you are serving this pina rita recipe (you see what I did there? ?) to a crowd, you can mix everything in a large pitcher, fill it with ice, and mix everything with a large spoon. I usually place it on a large tray along with empty glasses and a bucket of ice. This way, your guests can easily serve themselves.
How to rim the edges of the glass for margaritas
Most restaurants serve margaritas with coarse salt. I don’t know about you, but I love salt on the edges of my glass.
However, when I am making margaritas at home I take it up a notch and mix salt (kosher salt or coarse sea salt would both work) with a little bit of chili powder and lime zest. It is optional, but most people love it.
Alternatively, you can rim the edges of the glass with a sugar rim. To do so, I usually mix sugar with the zest of fresh lime for some additional color and flavor.
How to garnish pineapple juice margaritas
I think what makes margaritas so much fun is the garnishes. Here are a few ideas to give a little pizzazz to your margaritas:
- Garnish it with a slice of fresh lime
- Garnish it with a slice of fresh pineapple wedge
- Grill a slice of pineapple and serve it on the side or as a garnish on the edge of the glass
- Get creative with the rim and instead of using salt and chili powder, use roasted shredded coconut
- Garnish with a small jalapeno by placing it on the edge of the glass using a knot bamboo pick or a cocktail pick
- Garnish with fresh herbs like mint and cilantro leaves
How to make it frozen?
The second method, making my version of the Frozen Pineapple Margarita recipe has 2 folds. While it is super easy to make, it requires a little bit of advance preparation.
In my opinion, the secret to out-of-this-world delicious frozen pineapple margaritas is using frozen fresh pineapples.
How to freeze pineapples for frozen pineapple drinks recipes?
Now you might ask, can fresh pineapple be frozen?
Absolutely! As a matter of fact, I usually keep some in the freezer not only to make frozen margaritas but also to add in smoothies in the morning.
To freeze pineapple, I cut the pineapple into small cubes, place them on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or stretch film), and keep in the freezer for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Once they are frozen, I place the now-frozen pineapple chunks in freezer bags to prevent them from freezer burn.
How to blend?
Once you have your frozen pineapple chunks ready, the rest is a piece of cake. All you have to do is to put the rest of the ingredients; margarita mix, triple sec, and tequila in the blender and process until smooth.
I find that using 1 cup of frozen pineapple per person delivers the best fresh pineapple margarita.
Expert Tips:
With a few quick and easy tips you can turn this easy drink to the best pineapple tequila cocktail you have ever had.
- Keep your margarita glasses in the freezer until you are ready to serve: I usually keep a few beer and margarita glass in my freezer to be able to serve cold beverages. I think any (cold) beverage served in a cold glass tastes better.
- Infuse your tequila with pineapple: I recently had a pineapple-infused tequila at a friend’s house and it was amazing. My friend told me that she puts chunks of fresh pineapple in a jar filled with tequila (let them sit in there up to 2 days) and uses that to make various tequila and pineapple juice drinks.
- Use grilled pineapple as a garnish: If you have never grilled pineapples you are missing out of life. When you put them on the grill, the sugars in the fruit get caramelized and in return become SO delicious. I almost always serve pineapple margaritas during our summer grilling parties so that I can serve them with grilled pineapple.
- How To Make a Non-Alcoholic Pineapple Margarita: It is so easy. Simply omit tequila and use a little bit more pineapple juice instead.
- Need a visual as to how to make pineapple margaritas? Be sure to watch the quick how to video in the recipe card below.
Other pineapple based cocktails you might like:
Pineapple Margaritas Recipe
Ingredients
For The Rim:
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- Zest of a lime
For The Pineapple Margarita on The Rocks
- 2 oz. tequila
- ½ oz. triple sec or orange liquor
- 4 oz. Powell & Mahoney Margarita Mix
- 4 oz. pineapple juice
For The Frozen Pineapple Margaritas
- 1 cup frozen cut pineapple
- 4 oz. Powell & Mahoney Margarita Mix
- 2 oz. tequila
- ½ oz. triple sec or orange liquor
As Garnish
- Wedges of lime
- Wedge of pineapple
Instructions
- To Make Pineapple Margaritas on the Rocks: Mix together salt and chili powder on a small flat plate. Wet the sides of a margarita glass with a wedge of lime. Rim the glass in the salt mixture. Place it in the freezer while you are making the cocktail.
- Fill a mason jar or shaker with ice. Pour in tequila, orange liquor, and Powell & Mahoney Margarita Mix. Give it a shake.
- Pour in the cold glass over ice.
- To Make Frozen Pineapple Margaritas: Place all ingredients in a blend. Blend until smooth. Pour into a cold margarita glass. Garnish with lime and pineapple wedges.
Video
Notes
- 2 ounces of tequila blanco
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounces lime juice
- 1/2 ounces triple sec
Stacie
Hi! I’m looking forward to trying this recipe next weekend. Is there something special about the Powell & Mahoney’s margarita mix or could I use any margarita mix for this recipe?
Aysegul Sanford
Powell & Mahoney is a really good brand made without refined sugars, but any of your favorite margarita mixes would work in this recipe. I also made sure to include how to make pineapple margaritas if you do not have a margarita mix in the recipe card. Though if you are serving a crowd, margarita mixes will come handy.
Hope this answers your question.
Jess
This looks amazing! I love margaritas and pineapples and have never put the two together. I will be trying this soon!!!
Aysegul Sanford
You will love it Jess. It is such a great combo! 🙂
Jenna
Where did you get the cylinder shaped glasses in the picture?! Love those.
Aysegul Sanford
Hi,
Thanks Jenna. All the glasses you see in this post are from Williams Sonoma.
So glad to hear that you liked them.
Alanna Taylor-Tobin
Your drinks are the prettiest ever!
Aysegul Sanford
This note, coming from you, means the world to me Alanna. ?
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Next time we’re together, I want to make these!! SO much to love, Ayse! Thank you for this!
Aysegul Sanford
YES!!! This should definitely need to be on the menu. Can’t wait for that day to come. ?
Lindsay Cotter
Everyone loved these! Thanks for the great recipe!
Aysegul Sanford
So happy to hear that Lindsay. Thank you ?
Darly Spacey
These 2 Margaritas are perfect for Summer. Thanks for the video and recipe.
Aysegul Sanford
YAY!!! Cheers!
Toni
I really loved it! Can’t wait to make it again!!
Aysegul Sanford
So happy to hear that. Thanks for stopping by Toni.
Cathy Pollak
This on the rocks version is everything.
Aysegul Sanford
Can’t agree more. Perfect for spring, for sure.
Suzy
This cocktail has my name all over it!
Aysegul Sanford
Sending you virtual cheers my friend!
Tanya
These were delicious!! I want them again!!
Aysegul Sanford
So glad you liked it Tanya. Cheers!
Liz
I love pineapple margaritas and these gems are fabulous!!!
Aysegul Sanford
YAY! I do too. 🙂
Becky Hardin
Yum! Is it 5 o’clock yet!? lol
These look amazing!
Aysegul Sanford
Thanks Becky!
Sommer
I know what drinks I’m now making for my party this coming weekend! Yummy!
Aysegul Sanford
YAY! So happy to hear that. We have them on our menu too 🙂
Julie
The frozen pineapple margarita sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try this for Cinco de Mayo!
Aysegul Sanford
Thanks so much Julie. I can’t wait for it either.
Zerrin Günaydın
The photos here are so inviting! Pass me the biggest glass! These margaritas would be perfect for any occasion. Want to try both versions.
Aysegul Sanford
So glad to hear that you liked it. These were sooo refreshing. Perfect for the upcoming warmer months.
Cheers!