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Cocktail History
The Smoky Pineapple Margarita is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created as a pineapple-flavored variation of the classic Lime Margarita. It uses the original’s template of tequila, triple sec, and lime but adds mezcal for smokiness, a pineapple syrup made using the sous vide method for fruit flavor, and a Tajín rim for savoriness.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Tequila Blanco: This is a spirit made with unaged agave and water. We used Casamigos Tequila Blanco because it has a sweet agave flavor with notes of grapefruit and vanilla. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila.
Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged in an underground pit lined with wood. We used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal because it has a palatable mezcal flavor with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and tangerine. For a mocktail version of this drink, try MONDAY Zero Alcohol Mezcal in place of the mezcal.
Triple Sec: This is a liqueur made with bitter oranges, lemons, sugar, and alcohol. We used Cointreau because it’s one of the highest quality orange liqueurs on the market. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Orange Sec Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the orange liqueur.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Pineapple Gum Syrup: This is a sweetener made with pineapple juice, white sugar, gum Arabic powder, and citric acid. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Tajín: This is a Mexican spice made with peppers, lime, and salt.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The Smoky Pineapple Margarita features aromas of Tajín and smoked pineapple, has a sweet agave-forward taste that harmonizes pineapple, lime, and tequila before showing mezcal’s earthiness, and leaves a lasting fruit-flavored peat note in the throat.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both really enjoyed this recipe! This cocktail’s a frequent flyer in Alex’s shaker tins, and the Smoky Pineapple Margarita has even got Kendall’s vote as one of her favorite versions despite not being mezcal’s biggest fan.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is a very simple Margarita variation I came up with on the fly one night, but despite its simplicity, it’s amazing. The mezcal’s smokiness is present but not overwhelming, while our homemade pineapple gum syrup brings the fruit’s signature sweetness in to play a huge role, giving it a taste that’s almost reminiscent of char-grilled pineapple. While the cocktail isn’t exactly visionary (I’m sure 1 out of 5 Mexican restaurants has something similar on its menu), it is fantastic.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I know every time we’ve made a mezcal drink lately I’ve said the recipe would be a good gateway to liking mezcal for those who can’t take its taste like me, but seriously, this one really would be! The hint of smokiness in an already beloved classic like the Margarita is delightful, especially when paired with the sweetness of pineapple. Just thinking about this cocktail again has me craving another taste.”
Recipe
Pour Tajín onto a plate, rub part of outer rim with lime wedge, and roll in Tajín until coated.
Add tequila, mezcal, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a margarita glass.
Garnish with lime slice.
Ingredients
Directions
Pour Tajín onto a plate, rub part of outer rim with lime wedge, and roll in Tajín until coated.
Add tequila, mezcal, triple sec, lime juice, pineapple syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a margarita glass.
Garnish with lime slice.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila, MONDAY Zero Alcohol Mezcal in place of the mezcal, and Lyre’s Orange Sec Non-Alcoholic Spirit in place of the orange liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Tequila Cocktails
If you like this tequila-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Wild Rose: A tequila and dry sparkling wine cocktail made with pineapple gum syrup, maraschino liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters, and a orange twist
Salted Sage Paloma: A tequila cocktail made with grapefruit juice, lime juice, salted sage syrup, soda water, and sage leaves
Mocha Spiked Horchata: A tequila cocktail made with horchata, cold-brew coffee, chocolate bitters, and ground cinnamon
Privateer (Variation): A tequila cocktail made with passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, smoke and salt bitters, rosemary, and Tajín
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