Disclosure: I developed this recipe in partnership with Gourmet Garden, who compensated me for this post. All opinions remain my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that rock my world!

I don’t know what the deal was today, but it was not a good day. Nobody did anything to bring this on. I didn’t have any irate customers at work bearing down on me–in fact, everyone was quite friendly. Nothing really happened that was wrong–the car drove as it should, the traffic was light and minimal, the kids didn’t even make me late for work. I’m just so tired. Way too tired. And it’s making the normal, everyday stuff weigh heavier on me.

I should go to bed earlier. My habits as a night owl don’t help me any. But I can’t bring myself to leave the living room before midnight. It just doesn’t feel right. So I washed some laundry and binge watched Broad City until 1:15 am or so, then scuttled off to bed…and couldn’t get out of my own way today.

Driving home, I couldn’t get that fresh pineapple on the counter off my mind. I bought it right before Easter, but it never made its way to the brunch table. I had limited time left to consume it before it turned into a fuzzy, rotten mess. Turning ideas over and over in my mind, I became so focused on what I would do with that pineapple that I drove right past my son’s karate dojo and had to loop around to pick him up. Oops! It was time well spent, though.

Fresh pineapple has perfected the ability to transport those who dare dig under its rough and rugged shell to a place of utter peace and tranquility. Take a whiff and you can just barely hear the waves lap on the shore. Place a piece in your mouth and feel the sun’s rays caress your skin. The juice dribbles down your chin and your worries are blown away by the light, salty breeze. I’m in a tropical state of mind. It’s only natural, then, that I would fixate on a Pineapple Cilantro Margarita.

I don’t think I’ve ever ordered a pineapple margarita at a bar before, but when I envisioned my own version, I wanted fruit–not just juices or mixes. This obsession with the real deal gives these Pineapple Cilantro Margaritas a sort of smoothie-esque quality, with a lovely froth that naturally forms on the top. But way better than any breakfast smoothie, because there’s tequila inside. The addition of Gourmet Garden’s cilantro stir-in paste makes it feel so fresh… like you’ve just picked the cilantro from the garden, even though you found it on the grocery store shelf, conveniently packaged for your pleasure. (And thank goodness, because I’m terrible at growing cilantro! What would I do without you, Gourmet Garden?!) This is not one of those cloyingly sweet well drinks where the young-ins hang out for happy hour. It’s bright and vibrant and refreshing. I chose to skip the salt rim this time, but feel free to add it. Some Hawaiian Red Alaea Salt would be a really nice touch!

Pineapple Cilantro Margarita

Carrie @ poet in the pantry

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Cocktail

Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

3 cups fresh pineapple cubed (plus more for garnish--optional)
12 ounces pineapple juice
12 ounces silver tequila
1/3 cup agave nectar
juice of 1 lime
3 Tablespoons Gourmet Garden cilantro stir-in paste
2-3 cups ice

Instructions

Add ingredients to blender and turn on high until pureed.
Pour into margarita glasses and garnish with additional pineapple
Enjoy!

Gourmet Garden provides garden fresh herbs in convenient, easy-to-use tubes of stir-in pastes. Their products allow me to add herbs to just about any dish without having to worry about the store-bought bunch withering away in the back of the fridge on some forgotten shelf… or, worse yet, toasting to a crisp on my windowsill because I forgot to water them. These stir-in pastes, as well as their lightly dried herbs, are a god-send to plant killers everywhere…and naturally reduce food waste with their longer shelf life. Thank goodness!