The Best Type Of Tequila For Pineapple Margaritas
Lex Madden, bar manager at Point Easy Denver, has served up countless margaritas to guests. And when it comes to pairing the flavor of a traditional margarita recipe with the alluring sweetness of fruit, she believes one tequila stands above the rest: reposado.
To make margaritas that leave drinkers craving another round, balance is key. For an easy-to-remember shortcut, Madden suggests using a ratio of 2 ounces of tequila to an ounce each of pineapple and lime juice, finishing with a ½ ounce of sweetener like agave syrup. The goal is to deliver a drink that is just the right amount of boozy without overwhelming margarita-gulpers with the taste of tequila or taking away from the sweetness of the added fruit.
While these proportions can help you mix delicious drinks, the kind of tequila you choose to make your margaritas with can also impact the finished taste of your drinks. Madden recommends choosing lighter, softer tequilas to make fruit-focused margaritas. Reposado tequila, in particular, plays well with the fruity, sweeter notes that pineapples offer, and Madden frequently reaches for Real De Valle labels.
Softer tequilas like a reposado complements the sweetness of the fruit
"I think both their blanco and their reposado tequilas have a nice peppery sweetness that's just beautiful in flavored margaritas," Madden told Tasting Table. The quieter tequilas can give whatever fresh fruit you include in your drinks the rightful attention they deserve, and if you're craving a louder, spicier option, you can add a few splashes of Tabasco to turn up the heat of your recipe.
Of course, no serving of margarita is complete without a properly salted or spiced rim. After you've mastered your drink recipe, be sure to go the extra mile with the right garnish and decorated glass. Slices of pineapple, sprigs of mint, and jalapeño peppers add both visual and flavorful elements to drinks, and rims of sugar and chili powder can help you put together beverages that could easily be served by a professional bartender. Your biggest hurdle might be knowing when to stop sipping.