Grilled Pineapple Mezcal Mule Cocktail

Add sweet, smoky depth to your next happy hour with this grilled pineapple mezcal mule. Made over live fire and topped with nugget ice, this drink is the perfect backyard summer cocktail.

A Backyard Cocktail That Steals the Show

When you’re already firing up the grill for dinner, why not toss on a little extra fruit and kick things off with a cocktail? That’s exactly what we did with this Grilled Pineapple Mezcal Mule. It’s smoky, citrusy, a little spicy, and incredibly refreshing—especially when poured over a big cup of chewy pellet ice. Whether you’re using a firepit with charcoal like we did, your trusty Traeger, or even a grill pan on your stovetop, this drink is all about layering flavor with fire.

We used a few favorite tools to pull this together, including our Gevi nugget ice maker (which is a game changer for summer drinks) and our long-lived Traeger firepit. It’s a simple drink that feels fancy and tastes like you went to a craft cocktail bar.

Why Grill Pineapple for a Cocktail?

Grilling fruit is one of the easiest ways to add complexity to your drinks. The high heat caramelizes the natural sugars in pineapple, creating that craveable char and bringing out deeper sweetness. At the same time, it softens the fruit, making it perfect for muddling into a drink base. The heat also lightly smokes the fruit, giving you another layer of flavor that works especially well with the earthy smokiness of mezcal.

The same goes for limes. Grilling them adds a light char and reduces the sharp acidity, making them juicier and slightly sweeter. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference in flavor.

What Makes Pellet Ice So Good?

If you’re serious about summer beverages, pellet ice is worth the hype. Also known as nugget ice or “Sonic ice,” this small, soft ice chills drinks quickly and absorbs flavor just enough without watering things down immediately. It’s crunchy, refreshing, and totally satisfying to chew.

We use the Gevi Countertop Nugget Ice Maker, which is compact enough to keep on your kitchen counter but powerful enough to crank out nugget ice quickly. It self-cleans, stores a solid batch of ice, and makes any cocktail or mocktail feel extra special. Once you’ve tried it in your mules, you won’t want to go back to regular ice cubes.

Mezcal vs. Tequila: What’s the Difference?

While both mezcal and tequila come from agave plants, they’re produced differently. Mezcal is often made in small batches and cooked in underground pits, which gives it its signature smoky flavor. Tequila tends to be smoother and more straightforward, since it’s typically steamed and produced on a larger scale.

In this mule, we use mezcal to highlight the smokiness of the grilled pineapple and lime, but you could absolutely swap in tequila for a lighter, cleaner version. Want to avoid alcohol altogether? Use sparkling water or non-alcoholic ginger beer and muddled fruit to make a delicious mocktail version.

Let’s Talk About Bitters and Muddling

This cocktail also calls for cinnamon bitters—a small but mighty addition. Bitters add depth and complexity to drinks, and in this case, the warmth of cinnamon brings a cozy balance to the bright ginger beer and grilled fruit. Don’t skip it.

Muddling is another key step. By crushing the grilled fruit with lime, you extract all the rich juices and essential oils from the fruit’s skin. It creates a flavorful base that can’t be matched by bottled mixers. Take your time with this step—it’s worth it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 fresh pineapple: cut 3 circles and the rest into spears
• 3 limes, halved
• Mezcal (1.5–2 oz per drink)
• 3–4 dashes of cinnamon bitters
• Ginger beer, to top
• Pellet or nugget ice (we used the Gevi nugget ice maker)
• Copper mule cups (optional, but traditional and help keep drinks colder)

How to Grill Pineapple and Lime for Cocktails

You can grill pineapple and limes on just about any heat source:

Outdoor Grills

• Charcoal firepit (like our Traeger firepit)
• Gas grill
• Pellet grill (Traeger Timberline, Ironwood, or Flatrock)

Indoor Options

• Grill pan over medium-high heat

Lightly oil the grates or pan to avoid sticking. Grill fruit until it has deep grill marks—about 3–4 minutes per side for pineapple and 1–2 minutes for limes. Set aside to cool before using.

Step-by-Step: Making the Grilled Pineapple Mezcal Mule

1. Prep the Fruit:
   • Slice the pineapple into 3 circular rings and spears.
   • Halve the limes.
   • Grill all fruit until grill marks develop. Let cool slightly.
2. Muddle:
   • In a cocktail shaker, muddle 1–2 grilled pineapple spears with 1–2 lime halves.
   • Add 3–4 dashes of cinnamon bitters and muddle again.
3. Mix:
   • Add 1.5 to 2 oz of mezcal.
   • Add ice and shake well.
4. Assemble:
   • Fill a copper mule cup with nugget ice.
   • Strain the mezcal-fruit mixture over the ice.
   • Top with ginger beer.
5. Garnish:
   • Add a grilled pineapple spear or lime wedge.
   • Stir gently and serve immediately.

Customizing Your Mule

• Mocktail Version: Skip the mezcal and use extra grilled lime juice, sparkling water, and ginger beer.
• Alternate Spirits: Swap mezcal for:
  • Tequila (clean and agave-forward)
  • Bourbon (sweet and rich)
  • Vodka (neutral and refreshing)
• Add Herbs: Muddle in a sprig of rosemary or basil with the fruit for a twist.

Why Use a Copper Mule Cup?

Copper cups are more than just aesthetic. The metal rapidly takes on the cold temperature of the drink and holds it, keeping your cocktail frosty. The handles also help keep your body heat from warming the contents. Plus, it just looks good—especially when filled with nugget ice and garnished with grilled pineapple.

Products Used in This Cook

• Gevi Nugget Ice Maker
• Traeger Firepit (no longer sold, but similar results can be achieved with any charcoal or pellet grill)
• Traeger Woodridge Pellet Grill
• Copper Mule Cups
• Cocktail Shaker
• Cocktail Muddler

Alternate Recipes to Try Next

If you loved this grilled cocktail, try these next:

• Smoked Honey-Orange Margarita
• Smoked Peach Daiquiri
• Autumn Old Fashioned
• Smoked Strawberry-Lime Whiskey Sour

Final Thoughts

There’s something extra satisfying about crafting a cocktail that’s been kissed by fire. This grilled pineapple mezcal mule is bold, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to make. It’s a great way to kick off a backyard dinner or wind down after a long day. With just a few ingredients and a little heat, you can elevate your drink game in no time.

If you try this recipe, tag us on social @thisjewcanque and show off your backyard creations!