Tropical, tangy, and fruity, this frozen pineapple margarita is sure to sweeten up your weekend! It’s not your typical margarita but still features the citrusy, salty flavors you look for in the drink.
Why you’ll love this frozen margarita recipe:
Summer’s just getting started, and the best way to kick off the season is with an outrageously delicious frozen pineapple margarita!
- It has the perfect balance between sweet and sour, with just enough tequila to taste.
- The frozen pineapple gives it an extra tropical kick.
- Seriously easy to make! Simply toss everything into a blender, and mix until smooth.
There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than with a refreshing, frosty pineapple margarita! Serve it on Mexican Monday alongside spicy cheese dip and tortilla chips or anytime you’re craving a tasty way to cool down on a hot day!
Key Ingredient Notes:
There’s no need for store-bought margarita mix when you have this quick, 5-minute frozen pineapple margarita recipe in your back pocket!
- Pineapple chunks – To achieve a thick and creamy texture, you’ll need frozen pineapple chunks. If you don’t have frozen, slice fresh pineapple, and freeze it the night before you plan on making this. Or, just use fresh pineapple, and add an extra cup of ice.
- Lime juice – When it comes to a strong citrusy, sour flavor, freshly squeezed juice always beats anything from a bottle.
- Tequila – For a smooth, pure taste, look for 100% blue agave tequila, such as Patrón or Don Julio.
- Triple sec – An orange-flavored liqueur that adds a punch of tangy-sweet citrus flavor.
- Sugar – For added sweetness. If pineapple is sweet enough for you, feel free to leave the extra sugar out.
- Garnish – Don’t forget to salt the rim! It’s not just for looks. Salt balances the margarita’s sweet and sour flavors. You’ll also need a lime wedge to moisten the edge of your glass before dipping it into the salt.
How to make frozen pineapple margarita
With this easy frozen pineapple margarita recipe, you’ll get the party started in practically no time! Just 4 simple steps, and you’re done!
- Step 1: Add the frozen pineapple, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, sugar, and ice to a high-powered blender. Then, mix until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2: Run a lime wedge around the top edge of your margarita glass.
- Step 3: Dip the moistened edge into kosher salt.
- Step 4: Pour the blended pineapple margarita into your salted glass. Then, sit back, and enjoy!
Avoid overmixing
Start with the blender on low, and increase the speed as needed, blending just until the margarita is smooth. Continuing to blend will result in a thin, juice-like consistency!
Tips for Success:
- Double the recipe. Serving a crowd? This frozen pineapple margarita recipe makes enough for 4 servings, but it’s super easy to double!
- Don’t over-blend. Over-blending can make your frozen margarita watery and more like a thin juice. The longer you blend, the more the ice breaks down. Start your blender on low, and slowly increase the speed as needed.
- Try a salty-sweet rim. Instead of just salt, dip your rim in a mixture of kosher salt and coarse sugar.
- If needed, substitute the triple sec with Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Both options are orange liqueurs that will give your cocktail a kick of citrus-sweet flavor. Also, while I prefer to use orange liqueur, orange juice would work in a pinch, too.
Make-Ahead Tips:
If you’d rather enjoy the party than play bartender all night, blend your frozen pineapple margarita mix ahead of time! The alcohol prevents it from freezing solid!
- Simply blend your batch of pineapple margaritas.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight, freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
- When you’re ready to serve, let the margaritas sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften up, and reblend if needed.
Storing Tips:
I doubt you’ll have any leftover frozen pineapple margarita mix, but if you do, don’t let it go to waste!
- Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container, and store them in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
- Thanks to the alcohol, the mixture won’t freeze solid.
- When you’re ready for another icy marg, serve yourself a frosty glass straight from the freezer. It will soften to a drinkable consistency after several minutes at room temperature.
FAQs:
Yes, frozen pineapple is just as delicious and nutritious as fresh pineapple. And, at certain times of the year, it is even more flavorful than fresh pineapple! Frozen fruits are harvested in season at peak ripeness to ensure they have an intense flavor and juicy consistency at the time of freezing. Fresh pineapple may not taste as juicy and vibrant during the off-season compared to when it’s in-season, which is why frozen pineapple would be a better choice at that time.
A frozen margarita starts with the typical ingredients: tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and a sweetener. Then, everything gets blended with ice! After that, you can have fun creating endless variations, ranging from fruity strawberry, peach, and pineapple margaritas to spicy jalapeño margaritas.
You’ll want to choose a 100% blue agave blanco tequila, or silver tequila. Blanco tequila has a clean, crisp, subtle flavor with a silky smooth mouthfeel. It’s a common choice for cocktails, whereas añejos and reposados are usually reserved for sipping.
More Summer Cocktail Recipes:
Frozen Pineapple Margarita
Ingredients
- 4 cups pineapples chunks frozen
- ½ cup fresh lime juice 2-3 limes
- ½ cup tequila
- ¼ cup triple sec
- 3-4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup ice
- Extra lime and coarse kosher salt for garnish
Instructions
- Put first 6 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.4 cups pineapples chunks, ½ cup fresh lime juice, ½ cup tequila, ¼ cup triple sec, 3-4 tablespoons sugar, 1 cup ice
- Cut the lime into thin rounds for garnish. To rim the glasses with salt, run a slice of lime around edges of the glass and then dip the edges in kosher salt. Fill the glass with frozen margarita and enjoy!Extra lime and coarse kosher salt for garnish
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on August 22, 2014.
What brand of tequila did you use? This looks amazing!! Pineapple is the fruit of summer.????????????☀️
Hi, Shaley! I used Don Julio tequila here.
this sounds so good, did you use fresh or canned pineapple chunks? Thanks you!!
Hi, Deanna! I used fresh pineapple.
My husband would be in for a treat if I made this one hot summer day….. pineapple is his favorite!
Can you tell me what triple sec is? Can’t wait to try this…thanks for sharing.
Margaret, it’s orange-flavored liquor.
I want to go throw some pineapple in the freezer so I can make these in a flash next time I get a craving! I featured your post this week at #FoodieFriDIY – thank you so much for participating!
Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to try!
Thanks, Theresa!
Ooooooo. i made a pineapple margarita a few weeks ago but it wasn’t frozen. This looks amazing!!! I can’t wait to try this out! I’ve been looking for a frozen drink that wasn’t your typical margarita. If you’re interested, I do a linkup every Thursday called Thursty Thursday. I would love it if you stopped by today and linked this up!! I know my readers would love it!! Cheers!! hopelesslyeverafter.blogspot.com
Thank you, Kristin!