Thanks to yesterday’s big news, I’m in quite a celebratory mood today. What better way to celebrate my Saveur nomination for “best cooking blog” than with a cold pineapple cocktail! Clinks all around, friends. I still can’t believe it.
This little number is not for the faint of heart; it’s bold, spicy, sweet and herbal all at once. The sweetness of the pineapple juice and cooling effect of cilantro diffuse the spiciness of the serrano so it doesn’t overwhelm the palate. This cocktail is a treat, so sip slowly and savor it like it costs ten dollars.
I originally intended to get fancy and make some more serrano-infused tequila for this post. Serranos are so high up the Scoville scale that serrano-infused tequila only requires twenty to thirty minutes worth of seeping time. However, I’m always one for instant gratification (especially when I’m thirsty), and I figured out that you can simply muddle a small slice of serrano pepper instead. Cheers to that!
Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktail
- Author:
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: Mexican
This refreshing cocktail is made with pineapple juice, tequila, cilantro and serrano pepper. It’s bold, spicy, sweet and herbal all at once. Delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
- ½ small lime, juiced
- 1 small, round slice of serrano pepper (⅛th to ¼th-inch thick)
- 1 ½ ounces silver tequila
- 3 ounces quality pineapple juice
- agave nectar (optional), to taste
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or glass, muddle the cilantro, lime juice and slice of serrano.
- Fill the shaker with ice and pour in the tequila, pineapple juice and a light drizzle of agave nectar (optional). Shake well, and strain the mixture over ice in a cocktail glass.
- Garnish minimally with a lime round, or get fancy with a slice of pineapple and sprig on cilantro on a cocktail pick.
Notes
- Feel free to skip the serrano if you’re sensitive to spice.
- I didn’t feel the need to add any agave nectar to my drink, but I’ll let your taste buds decide if you need it.
- I tried muddling up fresh chunks of pineapple, but they didn’t yield enough juice to merit the effort or the wasted pulp. I much prefer R.W. Knudsen’s organic pineapple juice to the canned stuff.
- If you feel lost in the tequila aisle, I like Milagro’s 100% agave tequila, which comes in a cool bottle. Milagro spoiled me by sending me a few bottles to try, but I only mention it here because it is damn good stuff!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
the indolent cook
Congratulations on the Saveur nomination! Love the bold and refreshing flavours here… very sophisticated, too.
Hemen
This just made my friday!
Thank you!!!
Gina
Just saw that news this morning, congratulations Kate! How very exciting and much deserved for you :) I’d gladly join you in one of these awesomely spicy cocktails to celebrate ;)
Bev Weidner
GIRL. I saw that flipped about 4,000 lids! I’m SO. STINKIN’. PROUD. OF. YOU. <3 !
Cheers!
kate
Thanks Bev. :) Let’s drink wine again soon!
erin
I wish I lived closer to you- I rarely make drinks at home but I love all of your cocktails!
kate
How far is Kansas City from where you live? You’re always welcome to come visit once I move up there! I’ll make you all the drinks you want. :)
Madame Bonbon
Congratulations on your Saveur nomination – very exciting! Love this cocktail recipe…have added it to my favourites list. :-)
Best wishes,
Madame Bonbon
Melbourne, Australia
marla
Such a beautiful and intriguing cocktail.
Love the skewer!
The Broke Socialite
And with this, I have found my signature summer cocktail. Thank you and brava on the nomination!
Lisa [With Style and
I’m so fascinated by the combination of ingredients. This would be perfect on a day like today!
Marissa
Mixing up some chunky guacamole with fresh baked chips today for an afternoon snack – this drink will complement it perfectly! Thank you. Congrats on the Saveur nomination!
kate
Thank you! Guacamole and chips sounds like the perfect snack to accompany this drink!
Susan
Would love to make a pitcher of these but unsure about how to adjust the proportions (especially the serrano)…what do you think??
kate
That is a good question, Susan. Each drink is about 4.5 ounces, so you might calculate how many drinks could fit in your pitcher and multiply the amounts given above times that number. I would go easy on the serrano—if your pitcher holds enough for 5 glasses, I’d use maybe a total of a .5 inch nub of serrano. You definitely want to strain out the serrano; the longer it sits in the liquid, the hotter the drink gets. I think I would muddle the cilantro, lime and serrano, and then strain that into the pitcher. Add tequila and pineapple juice, stir well and pour into glasses filled with ice. That should work!
adrienne
I love some spice in my cocktail. Cheers to you, Kate!
erin @ yummy supper
Kate,
Huge Congrats to you on the Saveur nomination! How exciting! And your cocktail does look like a tasty way to celebrate. I love to combination of sweet and spicy – always good:)
-Erin
erin @ yummy supper
Just voted for you:)
ASHLEA
How refreshing does this cocktail look! Congrats on the nomination and I just voted for you!
kate
Thank you so much, Ashlea! I really appreciate your vote. Cheers!
Jeanine
Cheers to you! Congrats! I love a spicy cocktail, looks delish.
kale@tastesgoodtome!
This looks delicious and congrats on the nomination, it’s such a big deal!
kate
Thank you so much, Kale!
sarah
Just wanted to say ‘congrats!’ on your nomination. How exciting and well-deserved!
And this cocktail looks fantastic. I love sassy summer drinks.
Jen
Congrats on the nomination! Cheers.
Maria @ Orchard Bloo
ohh interesting! I have a feeling I’d love this!
Dreaming of Palm Tre
Sounds so delicious. Bookmarked! And congrats on the nomination. xo
Sandy
Made these for a Sunday afternoon cocktail. I was skeptical about pineapple and cilantro, but they were awesome! Will definitely make again.
Richa@HobbyandMore
Congratulations on the nominations! this cocktail looks and sounds heavenly!
Jennie @themessybake
Wow, I love the flavor combos in this cocktail. I sounds super delish.
★★★★★
Heidi
Congrats & yum <3
Myaa
I made this today and it is fantastic! Thanks for a great summertime recipe.
★★★★★
Kate
Great to hear! Thank you, Myaa.
Sandi
i love the spice in my drinks. I’ve been experimenting all summer, often with watermelon, which have been delicious. I’m going to give this a try, but have been marinating my pineapple chunks in tequila for a few days. In other recipes I’ve blended the fresh soaked tequila pineapple and used as a slushy base for margaritas! Yum!
Kate
Me too! I love the sound of your pineapple-infused tequila. I made some pineapple vodka and shook it with a little bit of lime juice and agave—awesome martini!
Amy
My husband and mine’s go-to cocktail now! Delicious and spicy!
★★★★★
Kaberly
Absolutely delicious and my new favorite cocktail! I used one whole Serrano chili for 8 margaritas, and it was a perfect amount of spice. Huge hit for at both our beach party, and dinner party. I’ll make it all summer long!
★★★★★
Kari
Random question- I’m looking for the drink recipe that featured your grandmother’s beautiful cocktail shaker. I’m obsessed with it and am hoping to “antique one up” somewhere. Would you mind directing me to that again?
Thank you!