Theo's Black Pepper Pineapple Smash
Fresh pineapple, lime, and cracked black pepper shake up a punchy tequila cocktail with a fizzy finish.
Prep: 10 · Cook: · Total: 10 · Serves: 2 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.7/5 (94 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
This original tequila smash balances sweet pineapple with sharp lime and a peppery finish. A salted rim and soda water keep the drink crisp.
Story
Theo likes a glass with a little swagger and no patience for a slow bar tab. Fresh pineapple brings the sunshine, then black pepper steps in with a dry little kick. Lime cuts through the sweet stuff and soda keeps the whole thing moving. Set out the shaker and let the night take the scenic route.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 3 ounces blanco tequila
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
- 2 ounces chilled club soda
- 1 tablespoon flaky salt
- 2 lime wedges
- Ice
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the rims of two rocks glasses and dip the rims in flaky salt.
- Add the pineapple and cracked black pepper to a cocktail shaker and muddle until the fruit is juicy.
- Pour in the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and a generous scoop of ice.
- Shake hard for 15 seconds until the shaker is cold and frosty.
- Strain evenly into the prepared glasses over fresh ice and top each drink with club soda.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a few turns of black pepper, then serve right away.
Chef Tips
- Use ripe fresh pineapple for the brightest fruit flavor, or use unsweetened canned pineapple in a pinch.
- Crack the pepper coarsely so it perfumes the drink without making it gritty.
- Adjust the simple syrup to taste if your pineapple is especially sweet.
- For a zero-proof version, replace tequila with chilled sparkling water and add a little more pineapple.
Cook's Notes
- **Pineapple:** Muddle until juicy, but do not pulverize it into a pulp.
- **Pepper:** Crack it fresh for the strongest aroma.
- **Serving:** Add the club soda after straining to keep the bubbles lively.