Name: Pineapple Margarita Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 oz tequila; 1 oz orange liquor; 1 oz lime juice; 1/4 cup Pineapple juice; ice; mint, optional

This pineapple margarita recipe is a refreshing twist on the classic! Slightly sweet with a citrus tang, sure to become your go-to summer cocktail!

pineapple margarita with lime wedge in margarita glass.

I have a serious love for tequila. Especially when the tequila is served in the form of a margarita. The classic version is still in my top three faves, but when you add a splash of pineapple it takes things to an entirely new level of goodness.

This cocktail has four main ingredients, and all should be staples in your at-home bar collection:

Tequila
Orange Liquor
Pineapple Juice
Lime

BUT there is a surprising guest that makes an appearance too! MINT.

tequila, orange liquor, and limes on a white serving tray

Mint is not a required ingredient, but makes this oh-so refreshing. Gently muddling in either sugar or the lime juice helps to extract that minty flavor and pairs beautifully with pineapple. Use if you would like, but these are equally delicious without. Either way, this easy pineapple margarita recipe is sure to become a staple!

Do you need triple sec for margaritas?

Ok, now the number one question I get time and time again… Do you need triple sec for margaritas?

Here is the deal… Triple sec is a version of orange liquor. You can use other brands in its place, which I highly recommend, and YES it is necessary to get that classic margarita flavor.

However, in a pinch, I have substituted a teaspoon of orange extract. It just isn’t the same. Reach for the real stuff. We recently tried this Patron version, pictured above, and enjoy Cointreau.

silver tequila being poured into a shot glass

What is the best type of tequila for a margarita?

And now, the nitty gritty. What is the very best tequila to use for a margarita??

The answer is simple, any silver tequila is going to be your best bet. It mixes well and tastes great. Here are our go-to grabs when we plan on making margaritas at home:

Jose Cuervo Blue Agave
Patron Silver
1800 Tequila Silver

These three are reasonably priced, with the patron being on the slightly higher end. Really, browse the liquor store and tray a few brands. Eventually you will find a flavor that fits your tastes.

pineapple margarita ingredients inside a sealed mason jar

Secrets to making the perfect margaritas:

Ready for my tips? I like to think of these as the three golden rules. I also should mention these are just your base. Do not be afraid to play with flavors!

Measure the ingredients- This seems like a pretty basic tip, but adding the wrong balance of ingredients can make or break your margarita.
Shake, do not stir. Because margaritas use citrus, it is SO important to mix them well. A shaker, or mason jar, can be used to really shake things up.
Or blend! Another option is to blend! Add everything with some ice into a blender and give it a good pulse.

My preferred ratio is 2 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liquor, 1 oz lime juice.

pineapple margarita being poured into margarita glass on white tray

Since this is a pineapple margarita, there is going to be some serious pineapple juice mixed in too. I opted to go on the sweeter side and added about 1/4 cup to each margarita. I suggest starting there and adding more as needed. This also eliminates the need for simple syrup, since most pineapple juices are plenty sweet all on their own.

Pro tip: No cocktail shaker? No problem! Use a mason jar with a secure lid and shake, shake, shake.

two pineapple margaritas in glasses with slices of lime hanging off the side of the cups

More Tequila Recipes:

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