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This 5-minute Frozen Pineapple Margarita is a refreshing and creamy summer party drink. Easy to blend with pineapple, tequila, simple syrup, and lime juice.
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Summer is always better with a fruity, frozen margarita in hand!
It isn’t surprising that the margarita is one of North America’s most popular cocktails. It’s a tequila-based cocktail flavored with lime juice and orange liqueur, then served in a margarita glass with a salt rim. Whether shaken, served on the rocks, or blended with ice, a classic margarita is a party drink that always results in a good time!
The best way to make a margarita even better? Blend it with ice and fruit!
Flavored blended margarita recipes, like this Frozen Pineapple Margarita, take the classic up a notch and infuse a fruity, ice-cold twist. Just like my Frozen Mango Margarita and Frozen Mojito, this cocktail is perfect for summer and totally refreshing.
All you need are 6 ingredients and a blender. No shaking or straining required! Each sip is nicely balanced and has a creamy, slushy texture.
On the rocks vs. frozen margaritas
To make a classic margarita, the three ingredients are shaken in a cocktail shaker, then poured into a glass over ice. On the rocks margaritas taste boozy, are naturally sweetened, and showcase bright and tart flavors in every sip.
If the weather is particularly sweltering, then I recommend opting for a frozen margarita instead. This method involves blending the cocktail ingredients with ice and the flavors of your choice, like frozen fruit, liquid sweeteners, and juices. The finished result is a slushy, boozy mixture that’s always refreshing.
What is the best tequila for frozen margaritas?
The best and most traditional tequila for margaritas is blanco or silver tequila. This is because this type of tequila is usually unaged, giving it a mild and subtly herbaceous flavor. Blanco tequila pairs perfectly with the margarita ingredients without overpowering the cocktail.
This isn’t your only option, though. Reposado can also be used in margaritas. It’s aged from 2 months to 1 year, giving it time to develop deeper flavors with sweet or spicy notes.
Mezcal is another option to consider. It’s made using the same blue agave plant as tequila but is smoked in a fire pit instead of roasted in an oven. This gives mezcal its signature smoky flavor, which can be a very enticing element in a margarita!
For an idea of which brand of tequila to buy, use this extensive list of The 10 Best Tequilas for Margaritas put together by Liquor.com.
What’s in a pineapple margarita?
Frozen margaritas have more ingredients than an on the rocks classic and this recipe is no exception. It’s made with frozen fruit, juice, and substitutes the triple sec or orange liqueur for homemade simple syrup. This is what you need:
Pineapple juice
I recommend using one 6-ounce can of pineapple juice (Dole is my go-to brand). Pineapple juice tends to spoil very quickly once exposed to air, which is why canned juice is best. You can also use freshly pressed juice if it’s available where you live.
Frozen pineapple chunks
Always choose frozen fruit over fresh. Frozen pineapple will produce a slushy and thick texture when blended, whereas fresh will be much more watery. You should be able to find frozen pineapple at most major grocery stores year-round.
If you only have fresh pineapple on hand, you can freeze it by laying the chunks on a baking dish, then placing it in the freezer. Transfer the solid pieces to a sealed container or bag for later.
Tequila
A must in any margarita recipe! Silver tequila is my favorite here but you can use other variations or even another type of liquor. Check out my tequila recommendations above and head to the FAQ section to learn how to make a margarita without tequila.
If you’re a big fan of tequila like I am, feel free to increase the amount to 1.5 ounces per serving for extra boozy party drinks.
Simple syrup
The sweetness from homemade simple syrup is important for balance here. To make simple syrup at home, heat equal amounts of water and granulated sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Bottle it up and use it in even more frozen cocktails, like this Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri.
Lime juice and salt
Fresh or bottled lime juice and salt give the margarita balance and a little tang.
Ice
Fresh is best! Make sure to fill your ice cube trays the night before serving these drinks.
How to make a frozen pineapple margarita
Learning how to make frozen margaritas couldn’t be easier:
Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth, then enjoy!
Helpful tips
Here are some helpful tips to help you make the best pineapple margaritas:
Thicken the texture
Is the frozen margarita looking a little watery? That’s an easy fix. Keep blending more ice into the mixture to help thicken the texture.
Equipment needed
A high-powered blender, like a Vitamix, is recommended when making frozen margaritas because they pulverize ice easily and quickly. A regular blender can also be used but will just take a little longer to blend the ingredients into a smooth mixture.
Serve with a salt rim
To go all out on the presentation, run a lime wedge around the margarita glass and dip it in a plate of kosher salt for a salted rim. If you’re a fan of spice, mix the salt with a little chili powder or use Tajin instead.
Big batch margaritas
This recipe makes enough for 2 margaritas but it’s very easy to double, triple, or even quadruple the ingredients if you’re serving a crowd (see recipe card for specific quantities).
You don’t have to be tied to the blender during the party, either. Use the Make Ahead Tips below to learn how to make frozen margaritas ahead of time.
Customize the cocktail
There are several ways you can make this margarita recipe your own! Use these customization ideas to inspire your own personal touches:
- Not into tequila? If everything in this recipe sounds great EXCEPT the tequila, make it with vodka or white rum instead.
- Make it a mocktail - Replace the tequila with an extra 2 ounces of pineapple juice and omit the tequila. Enjoy your pineapple margarita mocktail!
- Instead of pineapple - Frozen margaritas are just as sensational with many other fruit flavors. Follow my Frozen Mango Margarita recipe instead or make this recipe with coconut, watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit, raspberries, passionfruit, and more.
Make it ahead of time
You can save time by preparing the elements of the margarita or blending the mixture in advance:
- Lime juice: Juice the limes the night before making the margaritas. Don’t let it sit for longer than 18 hours or it will start to taste off.
- Portion the ingredients: If you want to make a fresh cocktail but save time in the kitchen, portion out the pineapple chunks and ice, and juice the limes the night before. Store the tequila in the freezer overnight so your cocktails can be ice cold when it’s time to blend them up.
- Make ahead pineapple margaritas: Blend the margaritas as normal and store the mixture in an airtight container in the freezer for 1 or 2 days. Let it thaw slightly, then give it a quick stir before serving and enjoy!
Recipe
Frozen Pineapple Margarita
Ingredients
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces blanco tequilla
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ½ cups ice
- 1 ½ cups frozen pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth and serve in chilled cocktail glasses.
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