Popular Cocktails With Vodka and Pineapple

vodka pineapple cocktail in highball glass with lime garnish

The pairing of vodka and pineapple juice has inspired a vibrant family of cocktails, ranging from breezy classics to modern, fruit-forward twists. Vodka’s neutral flavor lets pineapple take center stage, yielding delicious, easy-drinking cocktails perfect for nearly any occasion.

Classic Vodka Pineapple Cocktails

Bay Breeze: 45 ml vodka, 60 ml pineapple juice, 60 ml cranberry juice; served over ice in a highball glass. The cranberry provides a tart counterpoint to pineapple’s sweetness.
Pineapple Vodka Collins: 60 ml vodka, 45 ml pineapple juice, 20 ml fresh lemon juice, 10 ml simple syrup, top with soda water. Built in a tall Collins glass, this cocktail is light and refreshing.
Chi Chi: 60 ml vodka, 90 ml pineapple juice, 30 ml coconut cream; blended with ice. This tropical classic is a vodka-based take on the piña colada.

For vodka pineapple cocktails, glassware typically ranges from the classic highball to the festive hurricane glass. Fresh pineapple juice or quality bottled options both excel, while adding a squeeze of citrus brightens and balances the sweetness.

Modern Variations and Fresh Combinations

Pineapple Mule: 50 ml vodka, 45 ml pineapple juice, 10 ml lime juice, top with ginger beer. Serve in a copper mug or rocks glass with a lime wedge and mint.
Pineapple Espresso Martini: 45 ml vodka, 30 ml pineapple juice, 30 ml espresso, 15 ml coffee liqueur; shake hard and strain into a coupe. A unique fruity twist on a classic nightcap.
Vodka Pineapple Smash: 50 ml vodka, 40 ml fresh pineapple chunks (muddled), 15 ml lime juice, 10 ml simple syrup, mint sprigs. Shake and fine strain over ice.

modern pineapple vodka cocktail in coupe glass with mint garnish

Home bartenders often experiment by adding flavored vodkas, infusing spirits with pineapple, or incorporating herbs like basil or cilantro. When pineapple is freshly juiced or muddled, its tang and aroma become more pronounced, offering complexity not found in shelf-stable juices.

Essential Recipe: Simple Vodka Pineapple Cocktail

50 ml vodka
90 ml fresh pineapple juice
10 ml lime juice (optional)
Ice
Pineapple wedge or lime wheel, for garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice.
Pour in the vodka, pineapple juice, and optional lime juice.
Stir gently to mix and chill.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge or lime wheel.

simple vodka pineapple cocktail with pineapple wedge

Serving Tips, Origins, and Ingredient Swaps

Use fresh pineapple juice and quality vodka for the brightest flavors.
Garnish with fresh citrus or pineapple to highlight the drink’s ingredients.
Serve over large ice cubes to slow dilution for tall drinks, or use crushed ice for a frosty texture in blended cocktails.
Substitute coconut water for pineapple juice to reduce sweetness and add subtle complexity.

Many vodka pineapple cocktail recipes trace back to midcentury tiki and tropical drinks, with roots in travel culture and the spread of pineapple as a symbol of hospitality. Today’s bartenders riff endlessly—adding sparkling wine, swapping in ginger beer, or infusing with fresh herbs—to keep the classic combination alive and exciting. Whether you’re aiming for a simple vodka pineapple cocktail or an elaborate party drink, there’s a variation for every palate.