Pineapple-Jalapeño Margarita

Happy National Margarita Day! The classic drink, made with fresh lime juice, triple sec and a good tequila, is always a good choice, but here we take it up a notch with a clever variation. This dangerously delicious cocktail, which comes to us from Bar Amá in Los Angeles, gets a kick of heat as well as a hint of green bell pepper flavor from fresh muddled jalapeño chile.

Pineapple-Jalapeño Margarita

Coarse salt for the glass rim

1 lime wedge

2 jalapeño slices

2 oz. (60 ml) tequila

1 1/2 oz. (45 ml) pineapple juice

1/2 oz. (15 ml) fresh lime juice

3/4 oz. (20 ml) agave nectar

Spread the salt on a small plate. Moisten the rim of a glass with the lime wedge, dip the edge of the rim into the salt and shake off any excess. Fill the glass with ice.

In a cocktail shaker, muddle one of the jalapeño slices. Fill the shaker with ice and add the tequila,
pineapple juice, lime juice and agave nectar. Shake vigorously and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with the remaining jalapeño slice and serve immediately. Makes 1 drink.

Bar Amá, Los Angeles, CA