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This Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita is my favorite quick and easy, but oh-so refreshing margarita. Charred serrano chiles muddled together with sweet pineapple chunks, tequila, a splash of orange liquor, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime. This summery margarita is a spicy, sweet take on the classic. The perfect cocktail to sip on with friends and family all summer long. Finish this cocktail off with a salty tajin rimmed glass and a pineapple wedge for the perfect drink.
I’ve been holding onto this recipe for the last couple of weeks. And even though we normally do cocktail Saturday, I’m throwing you guys a curveball. With Memorial Day on Monday, this week it’s Cocktail Friday!
Without a doubt, this might just be my favorite cocktail creation yet. It’s everything I really love most all muddled together in a cocktail glass. And geez, it’s good. A little smoky, spicy, and just a touch sweet.
But then I love anything with fresh pineapple and chile peppers.
The Story
So. We normally talk cocktails on Saturday, but in prep for this weekend I wanted to share this a day early. If you’re looking for a Memorial Day dessert, please please check out these cookies, these ice cream sandwiches, or this ice cream cake.
If you’re in need of a damn good cocktail…stay right here.
My family is heading to Cabo this July, and while we’re a little over a month away, I’m so excited. I’ve never been, and to be honest, I can’t wait for a vacation. It’s been forever and I need to feel the warmth on my skin…and enjoy some pineapple margaritas in the sun.
Everyone is feeling excited, and I kind of think that was the reason behind this drink. It feels very on-brand for both a Mexican vacation and summer fun!
The details.
The heart of this recipe lies with two ingredients, the serrano chile, and that sweet pineapple. For the chile, you can use a serrano or jalapeño, but I love the flavor of the serrano.
We’re going to charr the chile over a gas burner, or in a cast-iron skillet, to give it a nice smoky flavor and tame the heat a bit too. I love to get the chile pretty blackened for the best flavor.
Once the chile is charred let it cool, then cut it in half, and, if desired, remove the seeds. I leave the seeds in for a spicier drink.
Now the rest is easy
Rim your glass or glasses in Tajin salt, then make the drink. In a cocktail shaker, or even just a glass jar with a lid (use what you have), muddle together pineapple chunks, mint leaves, a splash – or two of tequila, a dash of orange liquor, a squeeze of fresh lime, and honey for sweetness. Add as little or as much of the chile as you’d like. I do at least half a pepper per drink. Muddle everything down until the pineapple chunks release their juice and are pretty well smashed. You could also use pineapple juice too.
Now add ice and shake to infuse the drink even more.
Then strain into your glass and top off with ginger beer or seltzer for even more spicy sweetness, and a nice touch of fizz.
It. Is. Delish.
Oh and lastly, if you’re serving up a crowd this weekend, make the pitcher version. It serves about four, but can easily be doubled…or tripled.
I’ll be making this tonight (some of the fam is in town) and I already can’t wait! Perfect for Memorial Day weekend. Fingers crossed for nice weather for us all!
Lastly, if you make these Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 391 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 serrano chile
- 1/3 cup very ripe pineapple chunks (or 1/4 cup pineapple juice)
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1/2 ounce orange liquor
- juice from 1/2 lime juice
- 2 teaspoons honey or sugar, to your taste
- ginger beer, or seltzer, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Place the serrano chiles over a gas flame, or in a dry skillet over high heat. Char the chile all over, turning a few times, until blackened. Remove and let cool, then halve the chile and de-seed, if desired. 2. To make the tajin salt. Combine all 3 ingredients on a shallow plate. Rim your glass. 3. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add the pineapple, mint, tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and honey (or sugar). Add 1-2 quarters of the chile. Muddle together, squashing everything to release the juices. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute, the longer you shake, the spicier it will be.4. Strain into your prepared glass. Top with ginger beer, if desired. Garnish with mint and pineapple wedges. Enjoy!
Notes
Orange Liquor: if you don't have orange liquor at home, either omit this (I often do) or use 2 teaspoons orange zest or a splash of orange juice.
Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita Pitcher
Servings: 4 drinkes
Calories Per Serving: 340 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 serrano chiles
- 1 1/4- 1/2 cups pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 8 ounces (1 cup) silver tequila
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) orange liquor
- juice from 2 limes (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons honey, or sugar...to your taste
- ginger beer, for topping (optional)
Tajin Salt
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 1 teaspoon tajin
- 1 small pinch granulated sugar
Instructions
- 1. Place the serrano chiles over a gas flame, or in a dry skillet over high heat. Char the chiles all over, turning a few times until blackened. Remove and let cool, then halve the chiles and de-seed, if desired.2. Combine the pineapple juice, mint, tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and charred chiles in a large pitcher. Stir to combine and chill for 2 hours. The longer the chiles sit, the spicier the drink will be. Strain out the chiles and discard. Return the drink to the pitcher and chill until ready to serve.3. To make the tajin salt. Combine all 3 ingredients on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses.4. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice. Pour into glasses and top off each glass with ginger beer (if using). Garnish with mint and pineapple wedges.
Smokey & slightly sweet. I made one then guests requested a pitcher.
Hey Tawny,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
So tasty! And timely – I grew some serrano peppers and wondered what on earth I was going to do with them all. Made the single serving version, and I can’t wait to try the pitcher next time I have a crowd. I have a low spice tolerance so I took out the seeds and used half the serrano for the single drink.
Hey Sarah,
Happy Wednesday!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
This is great, the pitcher version was delish! Made one pitcher with tequila and one with vodka for my non-tequila drinking fam.
Hey Kelly,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Have a great Tuesday! xxTieghan
Perfect combo of sweet and spicy! Yumm-O!
Hey Amy,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Hi- Making these this weekend. I noticed the Orange Liquor is doubled in the Pitcher recipe… should it be 2 ounces or should I stick to the 4 as written. Thank you for the clarification.
Hey Leoni,
You can follow the pitcher recipe as is:) I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xTieghan
Wow! Amazing combination of flavors..my guests had fun trying to figure out all the components.. just found this site by accident and so glad I did. Tonight I’m also making the Jalapeno PA Shrimp Tacos and BBQ Chicken Tacos…woot! Thank you for sharing your ideas and talents! xoxo
Hey Leigh,
Happy Friday! I am so glad that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xxTieghan
Made the margaritas with jalapeños because I couldn’t find serranos the first time I tried the recipe. Still good but a little too spicy for some of my friends. Made them again tonight with serrano Chili’s and they were awesome!!! My new favorite margarita recipe!!!!!
Hey Bea,
Fantastic! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! Sorry about the spice. xxTieghan
These were the talk of our Memorial Day gathering. Just the right sweet to heat ratio. Will be making again for sure!!
Hey Julie,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
These were delicious and such unique flavors! Made for a Memorial Day BBQ gathering and everyone loved them! I charred the serranos on the grill as I already had that going and it was easy to do. Also, didn’t have any ginger beer so we used Topo Chico to top the drink off with…. will definitely make again.
Hey Kelly,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
I used a jalapeño instead of a Serrano since I was a little afraid of the heat level. It was good except it was a bit too spicy for my liking in a margarita. Next time I will not muddle the pepper, but just add it before I shake it.
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try Debra! xTieghan
So so good! Used the cold pressed pineapple juice from Trader Joe’s and agave. My friends said this was the best drink they’d had in ages.
Hey Joanna,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
The Spicy Margarita was delicious and a BIG hit at our Memorial Day party today!
Hey Rosie,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
We have neighbors over for margaritas every Friday night and this is goin to be the new surprise for this week – looks awesome! Have fun in Cabo and be sure and have some lobster there.
Thanks so much Sher! I hope you love the recipe, cheers!! xTieghan
I made this tonight! So good! Sweet & spicy!!! My mouth is still burning a little! Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Tracey,
Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Phew! A long fun day of tennis and pickleball in the hot Florida sun. Got home, felt pretty beat, was seriously considering a nap..until I saw this recipe! Eye opener! I had to make some adjustments because I was too pooped to go the store for a serrano chile and Tajin – so I improvised. Used a few sprinkles of smoked chipotle powder for the serrano, pineapple juice instead of chunks, grand marnier for the orange flavor and Trader Joe’s chili lime seasoning blend to rim the glass.
What a refreshing mood booster!!! Taking this cocktail out by the pool to sip while dipping toes in the water…
Thanks for the ideas~
Hey Janis,
Fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
OH MY GOD! Went to your website yesterday looking for a spicy margarita recipe for the holiday weekend and opted for the grapefruit marg -BUT THIS LOOKS EVEN MORE DEELISH!!! You seriously read my spicy margarita mind and know ??What??The??People??Want??! So excited to try tonight!!! XOXO
LOL love to hear this Jen! I hope you love the recipe, cheers!! xTieghan