tequila pineapple

This tequila pineapple is a stunning and thirst-quenching cocktail. It screams summer with its gorgeous colors, juicy pineapple flavor, and deliciously bitter Campari finish. 

Why I love it:

While this cocktail is reminiscent of a tequila sunrise, it’s completely different. It bubbles over with juicy pineapple and slowly reveals the earthy tequila, lime, and deliciously bitter Campari finish. 

It’s hard to fully appreciate the sweet flavors without the tart and the bitter. We all know straight sugar isn’t appealing. But add a splash of acid and your mouth starts watering. Mix in a vegetal note, and it gets interesting. Finish with a bittersweet edge, and suddenly, you’re compelled to return for another sip.

That’s the balance of a great cocktail-- and this pineapple tequila cocktail has it. It’s fragrant, refreshing, and unashamedly screams summer. 

I love to build this tequila pineapple cocktail with a layered effect. It looks stunning, and we love to mix it up with a straw and watch the swirly red Campari come to life.

If you’re not sold on Campari, try this drink with Aperol for a milder finish but a similar stunning color.

Use blanco tequila here-- the grassy, vegetal notes beautifully balance with the ripe pineapple and bitter orange peel.

And on that note (as is always the case with big flavored cocktails), use a good tequila but don’t break the bank on a premium sipping spirit. The nuance will be lost in all the tropical fruit!

tequila and pineapple juice ingredients:

• blanco tequila
• pineapple juice
• lime juice
• simple syrup
• campari

how to make a tequila pineapple:

• Mix tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup; set aside.
• Fill a highball glass with ice.
• Add Campari.
• Pour cocktail overtop.
• Garnish and enjoy!

pineapple leaf garnish tips:

I love to garnish drinks with pineapple leaves! They look elegant and instantly transport you to the pool deck of a luxury resort.

Here’s my best hack to get the pineapple leaves to stay together: staple them.

I stack 3 to 4 small leaves together and fan them out a bit, then staple the very end of the stack together. Plop it in the drink and voila! A beautiful garnish that stays beautiful. 

more pineapple garnish ideas:

• Pineapple wedge (skewer it with a maraschino cherry for a classic tropical garnish)
• Pineapple spear (place it vertically in the glass or across it)
• Pineapple ring (grill it for smoky notes!)
• Pineapple half-circle (cut notches in the edges for a decorative touch)
• Dried pineapple flower (learn how to make a dried pineapple flower here!)
• Use 1 pineapple leaf for a bold and minimal look
• Slice the pineapple and cut it into fun shapes (stars, hearts, etc)

make this tequila pineapple cocktail into a pitcher:

Mix up the following recipe in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready.

• 1 ½ cups blanco tequila
• 1 ½ cups pineapple juice
• ½ cup fresh squeezed lime juice
• ½ cup simple syrup

Pour 1 oz of Campari into 8 highball glasses and set aside until ready. 

When you're ready to serve, fill the glasses with ice and pour the chilled cocktail over top. 

Garnish with pineapple leaves (or fresh pineapple wedges) and serve!

more tequila recipes to try:

blood orange margarita

cantarito drink

cucumber mint margarita

hibiscus margarita

mango margarita (frozen and on the rocks!)

mexican mule (tequila ginger beer cocktail)

mezcal negroni

mezcal sour with strawberries and ginger

peach margarita

pineapple margarita

spiced tamarind margarita

spicy cilantro jalapeño margarita

strawberry margarita

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