No matter where you live in the US or what time of year it is you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cocktail bar that doesn’t have the classic margarita on the menu. It’s easy to make and has been a bar-goer’s favorite for decades. But if you’re wondering why it’s so popular the reason is actually as simple as it’s damn good with the perfect balance of tart lime-sweet triple sec and the powerful burning kick of tequila. Its popularity also means that the classic recipe has spawned countless variations. There are few better drinks to unwind with than the doubly tropical take on the margarita: the pineapple margarita.
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 Weekend Bartender | 2020-07-17 21:47:41 |  19,856 Views |
Pineapple Margarita Recipe
Making the basic version of this drink is as easy as adding a splash of pineapple juice and you’ll have a fruity sweet cocktail to sip on while you’re sunbathing in the backyard. But if you’ve gotten this far take it a step further and make the ultimate version by rimming the glass with smoked sea salt and swapping the tequila for its smoky cousin mezcal. Combined with the natural sweetness and fruity notes of the pineapple these smoky ingredients will elevate your drink to an unforgettable taste experience.
Tequila and mezcal are both Mexican liquors that are distilled from the fruit of the agave plant. But while tequila is only made from the blue Weber agave and is only produced in very specific regions of Mexico mezcal can be made from any of the 40 or so distillable agave varieties found throughout the country. Because of this mezcal has a very nuanced flavor profile that differs from brand to brand depending on the recipe used. This can only be a good thing if you’re looking to shake up your margarita routine a bit and try something different for a change.
Mezcal’s real selling point is its smoky flavor which tequila typically lacks since the agave is roasted in underground ovens before it’s distilled. This is why mezcal caught the attention of chefs like Gordon Ramsay who wholeheartedly embraced it in his own margarita recipe. When combined the smoky mezcal gives the drink a charcoal-like flavor that pairs beautifully with the tangy sweetness of the pineapple—think of it as grilled pineapple and alcohol in a glass.
