Pineapple-Hibiscus Cocktail

A vibrant and refreshing cocktail combining sweet pineapple, tart hibiscus, and spicy jalapeño with tequila and lime. This sophisticated drink features a homemade pineapple shrub and hibiscus tea for complex layered flavors.

8 servings
2 hr 58 min

Ingredients

  • cups sugar
  • 1 whole pineapple
  • 6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  • ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
  • 1 whole jalapeño
  • 5 sprigs mint
  • 1 whole lime
  • 2 cups tequila
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add pineapple, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 30 minutes to infuse syrup with pineapple flavor. Strain into a small bowl; stir in vinegar. Cover and chill shrub until cold, about 30 minutes. Cover and chill pineapple pieces until ready to use.

    73 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, place hibiscus in a small bowl and pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Strain tea into an airtight container; discard flowers. Cover tea and chill until cold, about 30 minutes.

    40 min

  3. 3.

    Set aside 8 slices jalapeño and 8 pieces pineapple for serving. Stir mint, lime wheels, tequila, lime juice, remaining jalapeño and pineapple, 1 cup shrub, and 1 cup tea in a large pitcher and chill at least 1 hour.

    60 min

  4. 4.

    Serve in ice-filled rocks glasses garnished with reserved jalapeño slices and pineapple pieces.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Cocktail can be mixed 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.