National Margarita Day
February 22 was National Margarita Day, and if there’s one thing cruise ships do exceptionally well, besides ocean views and unforgettable sunsets, it’s cocktails.
Wait, February 22…wasn’t that a week ago? Let’s just say we’re on island time for this post.
One sip of the right margarita can instantly transport you back to pool decks, sea breezes, and afternoons that don’t require a schedule. So today, we’re celebrating the best way we know how, with cruise-inspired margaritas you can make at home.
Whether you’re counting down to your next sailing or just looking for an excuse to pretend your kitchen island is a swim-up bar, these copycat-style recipes bring cruise vibes straight to home.
Why Margaritas and Cruises Just Make Sense
There’s something about a margarita on a cruise that just hits differently. Maybe it’s the sun, the salty air, or the fact that someone else is handling the details, but margaritas are practically a cruise staple.
From classic lime to creative, fresh-infused flavors, cruise lines have perfected the art of the elevated margarita. And while nothing replaces sipping one at sea, this recipes come pretty close.
Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
Inspired by the Goal Post Margarita at Royal Caribbean’s Playmakers, this drink is refreshing, a little spicy, and wildly popular. For good reason! It’s a little more tropical forward than your traditional ‘rita thanks to the pineapple, and perfect for warm weather dreaming.
Ingredients:
3-4 pineapple chunks
2-3 slices of jalapeño
2 oz tequila (Jose Cuervo Gold)
2 oz sour mix
.75 oz pineapple juice
Pineapple and jalapeño slices for garnish
Directions:
Muddle the pineapple chunks and 2-3 jalapeño slices in a shaker tin. Add ice, tequila, sour mix, and pineapple juice to shaker then cover, shake, and strain. Pour into a glass with a salted rim with ice and garnish with the additional pineapple and jalapeño slices.
Make it a Mock-arita
Want to make a mocktail version instead? We’ve got you covered! You can make a simple substitution for the tequila that results in a zero-proof drink that still has the cruise feel. Here’s our non-alcoholic version that will have you feeling beach vibes even on a school night.
Ingredients:
3-4 pineapple chunks
2-3 slices of jalapeño
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz orange juice
1 oz agave syrup
2 oz sparkling water or club soda
Pineapple and jalapeño slices for garnish
Directions:
The directions are mostly the same, just hold the sparkling water until the end so you don’t shake out the bubbly goodness.
Muddle the pineapple chunks and jalapeño slices in a shaker tin. Add pineapple, lime, and orange juices, and agave syrup to shaker with ice then cover, shake, and strain into a glass with a salted rim filled with ice. Then add sparkling water or club sodas and garnish with the additional pineapple and jalapeño slices.
And the Verdict is…
I tried the margarita with my Mother in Law, and made my son the mocktail version. We all agreed that they were tasty, and we would try them at home again.
But I have to be honest… I’m not sure I would go to the trouble of cutting a pineapple up for this recipe next time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very adept in the kitchen, but there is something about cutting up a pineapple that is just draining to me. Maybe I don’t do it enough, or maybe it’s that when I have a drink on vacation, I don’t have to do any of the work.
I think in the future, I would buy the pre-cut chunks from the produce section of my grocery store and forego the garnish. While the garnish with the rind showing added to the fun and made the drink feel like it was made by a bartender, I will pass on that next time.
I will say, Canva really helped make me feel like I was on island time with this drink in hand.
Bring the Cruise Vibes Home
National Margarita Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, mix something fun, and daydream about future travels. Whether you’re team spicy or team classic, these cocktails are a reminder that vacation energy isn’t just reserved for embarkation day.
And if sipping margaritas makes you start thinking, “We really should plan our next cruise…” Well, that’s where we come in.
Ready to Sip at Sea?
If your ideal margarita includes an ocean view, a sea breeze, and zero planning stress, we’d love to help.
At Anchor & Atlas Travel, we specialize in cruise planning that’s thoughtful, personalized, and refreshingly easy, so you can focus on enjoying moments like this.
When you’re ready to sip at sea, contact us and let’s start planning your next cruise.
