This matador cocktail recipe is the perfect poolside drink. It’s delicious, refreshing and will make you feel like you are on vacation whenever you drink it.
There is something about the combination of tequila and fruit juice that makes this cocktail a favorite during the summertime.
But you shouldn‘t limit yourself to imbibing it only during the summer. Oh no. It’s delicious and satisfying no matter what time of year you drink it.
If I were to compare it to another cocktail, I’d say it’s like a fruity margarita.
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Helpful tips
- Unless you enjoy drinking pineapple juice by the glass, buy it in small cans for stocking your bar. Cocktails don’t call for much juice and, even though small cans are a little more expensive, you won’t end up wasting what’s extra.
- Before using them, wash the limes to remove any pesticides. Here’s how: Take a natural, unscented foaming soap (I buy Whole Foods’ 365 brand), squirt some on your hands and gently rub the skin of the lime between them. Thoroughly rinse all the soap off the lime.
- I use very little simple syrup as the pineapple juice is sweet. Use as much as you like but if you have to add more do it by the teaspoon. And then taste it.
- For a prettier presentation, garnish this cocktail with thin slices of pineapple.
- To make the garnish, slice a ring off the pineapple, cut that ring in half and core it. Cut one of the halves again and I make a little cut in the quarters so I can slide them onto the lip of the glass.
How to make a matador cocktail
Pre-step
Get a cocktail shaker, measuring glass and glasses. Fill the shaker halfway with ice.
Cut a few pineapple wedges and cut a slit in the ends. Set aside for the garnish.
After measuring out the ingredients, pour them into the shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – tequila, pineapple juice, limes and simple syrup.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)
Step three
Measure 4 ounces of pineapple juice. (B)
Step four
Measure 2 ounces of lime juice. (C)
Step five
Measure out 2 teaspoons of simple syrup. (D)
Step six
Add a few ice cubes to each glass, cap the shaker and shake for 15 seconds.
Strain and divide between the two glasses. Place 1 – 2 pineapple wedges on the sides of both the glasses.
What about the vertical view?
Doesn’t this look yummy? It is super delicious! Wait and see.
I hope you enjoyed this matador cocktail recipe!
Other cocktails made with pineapple juice
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
The Matador Cocktail
Ingredients
Here they are
- 4 ounces tequila
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
Garnish
- 4 wedges pineapple (with a slit cut in each)
Instructions
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice
- Add tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice and simple syrup
- Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds
- Add ice to each glass and divide liquid between the two glasses. Slide two pineapple wedges on the rim of each glass
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Unless you enjoy drinking pineapple juice by the glass, buy it in small cans for stocking your bar. Cocktails don’t call for much juice and, even though small cans are a little more expensive, you won’t end up wasting what’s extra.
- Before using them, wash the limes to remove any pesticides. Here’s how: Take a natural, unscented foaming soap (I buy Whole Foods’ 365 brand), squirt some on your hands and gently rub the skin of the lime between them. Thoroughly rinse all the soap off the lime.
- I use very little simple syrup as the pineapple juice is sweet. Use as much as you like but if you have to add more do it by the teaspoon. And then taste it.
- For a prettier presentation, garnish this cocktail with thin slices of pineapple.
- To make the garnish, slice a ring off the pineapple, cut that ring in half and core it. Cut one of the halves again and I make a little cut in the quarters so I can slide them onto the lip of the glass.
Nutrition
Originally published in September of 2017.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
Oh my gosh I would totally lap this up off the floor 😉
Elaine
Hehe Sue! 🙂
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
It just so happens that I have all the ingredients for this cocktail — and it’s my birthday. The end.
Elaine
Woohoo! Happy birthday Lisa!!
Sandi
Is it too early to make myself one? This is a stunning drink 🙂 (Your pictures of it are fabulous too!)
Elaine
Thank you Sandi. It’s five o’clock somewhere. 😉
Tara
Such a fun cocktail! It sounds so light and refreshing. I especially love how you styled the pineapple as garnish.
Elaine
Thank you Tara!
Patty
Lol, Would I lap this amazing cocktail off the floor, ahem, not from any floor but I definitely might from my Mother’s floor 🙂 It’s 7 p.m. here and I would love to have a Matador right now! Your photos are a-ma-zing!
Elaine
Awww thanks Patty! I so appreciate you. I wouldn’t lap it off a bar floor, but my floor, you bet your sweet bippy!
Dahn
Ha ha, I will have to keep the bulls away when I make this. It sounds like a delicious tropical punch and I might be in trouble if I put the booze in it, especially if I have more than one.
Elaine
Thanks so much Dahn! Lock up the booze after you make one and you will be set. Unless you know where the key is. 😉
Chris
Hehehe! Love the name of this recipe. And there’s “no bull” about how delish it is either! Cheers!
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Chris!
Kathryn D
I made this cocktail for an at home “happy hour” and this was perfect!! So refreshing and flavorful!
Elaine
I’m so glad to hear that Kathryn! Cheers and thank you.
Jen
Yes!! We’re not vacationing anywhere anytime soon so this is perfect to sip on and pretend! haha! So light and refreshing!
Elaine
Hehe. So true Jen. Thanks 🙂
Cathleen
I have almost all of these ingredients. Bookmarked to make later, thanks for the recipe!! 🙂
Elaine
You’re welcome Cathleen! I hope you enjoy it when you do try it!
Emily
This matador cocktail is so beautiful!! I love the pineapple garnish and the beautiful yellow color!
Elaine
Thank you Emily! I appreciate it.
Sunrita | Spiceitupp
I love pineapple based cocktails! I may add a dash of ginger juice to this but that’s just me enjoying a bit of sharpness. Thanks for the brilliant cocktail idea.
Elaine
Yum. That would be a great addition Sunrita! Thanks for commenting.