Pineapple Princess: Summer’s Most Delicious Cocktail Recipe

When it comes to cocktails, I usually reach for a margarita or a close variation. The other day I intended to make a Strawberry Margarita but discovered I had no strawberries on hand. I swapped in pineapple instead and this ridiculously delicious Pineapple Princess cocktail was born.

You might be wondering: why on Earth did I name this drink Pineapple Princess?

I didn’t call it that at first. The name came later when I turned the recipe into a short reel and needed a song. I’m terrible at picking music—I don’t make playlists and prefer not to choose the soundtrack for the house—so I search Instagram by a keyword related to the recipe. In this case I typed “pineapple” and a catchy tune called “Pineapple Princess” popped up. It fit the video and the drink perfectly.

Despite its pretty pink color and playful name, this cocktail packs a punch. It contains three spirits: tequila, an orange liqueur, and Aperol. All are staples that keep well in your liquor cabinet and elevate many other cocktails.

Here’s how to make a Pineapple Princess:

1. Muddle pineapple chunks with lime juice in a cocktail shaker until the fruit breaks down, then strain to remove the solids. (You can discard the solids or save them for a smoothie.)
2. Return the strained juice to the shaker and add tequila, orange liqueur, and Aperol.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
4. Pour into rocks glasses and garnish with a lime wheel.
5. Sip slowly—the drink is easy to drink quickly, so enjoy it deliberately.

I’ve been using reposado tequila for this cocktail, though blanco works well too. Espolón is my go-to, but any decent-quality tequila will do. The orange liqueur and Aperol are great pantry additions that improve many cocktails. If you prefer a slightly more bitter edge, swap Aperol for Campari—the drink will be less sweet and a touch more bitter, but still delicious.

Pineapple Princess

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This is one of the most refreshing cocktails for summer. I usually serve it in rocks glasses, though it would also suit a fluted glass with a maraschino cherry and a paper umbrella for fun.

• Author: zenbelly
• Prep Time: >5 minutes
• Total Time: >5 minutes
• Yield: 2 cocktails
• Category: cocktails

Ingredients

• 5–6 large bite-sized pineapple chunks
• 3 ounces (about 2 big shots) lime juice
• 3 ounces (about 2 big shots) tequila
• 1.5 ounces (about 1 big shot) orange liqueur
• 1.5 ounces (about 1 big shot) Aperol
• lime wheels for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pineapple chunks and lime juice until the fruit breaks down.
2. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass, pressing with the muddler to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids or reserve them for a smoothie.
3. Return the strained juice to the shaker, add tequila, orange liqueur, and Aperol. Fill with ice and shake for about 30 seconds.
4. Divide between two rocks glasses and garnish each with a lime wheel.

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