Homemade Pineapple Juice – Immaculate Bites

Picking the Right Pineapple for Pineapple Juice

Your nose is the best way to find pineapples that are perfect for juicing. Smell the base, and if it doesn’t have much of a pineapple smell, they may have harvested it too early to be sweet. On the other hand, if you find one with a strong, sweet pineapple aroma, you’ve got a winner. 🏆

Recipe Ingredients

1. Pineapple – One or two fresh, juicy pineapples will make plenty of refreshing juice for your family.
2. Sugar – Pineapple is pretty sweet as is, but you can add a couple of tablespoons of sugar to sweeten it up even more. However, you can leave the sugar out for a more natural drink.
3. Garnishes – Lemon, mint, and pineapple chunks all make pretty (and tasty) garnishes for this juice.

How to Make Pineapple Juice

Cut the Pineapple

• Cut the Ends – Using a long, sharp knife, start by slicing off the top and bottom of the pineapple.
• Peel – Cut off the thick outer layer (the peel).
• Slice – Lay the pineapple on its side and slice it, coring each slice as you go.
• Chunks – Finally, chop it into chunks.

Make the Juice

• Puree – Toss the pineapple chunks in a food processor or blender, together with the water and sugar (if using). Blend until you have a smooth puree with no chunks of fruit.
• Strain the juice using a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Be sure to press or squeeze out all the juice from the fruit fiber. (But you can leave the pulp in the juice if you prefer.)
• Taste Test – Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness and thickness by adding more water or sugar.
• Serve immediately over ice and garnish with pineapple chunks, lemon wedges, or mint leaves.

Recipe Variations

1. Make my all-time favorite pineapple cocktail: a pina colada! Mix your fresh pineapple juice with cream of coconut and a healthy dose of rum and lime juice for a homemade tropical cocktail.
2. Blend your pineapples with cooled ginger tea instead of plain water to make pineapple ginger juice. The added spicy flavor of the ginger is so delicious.
3. Turn plain old pineapple juice into pineapple lemonade with just a few extra ingredients. A generous dose of lemon juice and a couple of tablespoons of lime juice for a tropical lemonade that beats the summer heat. ☀️
4. Drink your fruits and vegetables. Add carrots for delicious pineapple carrot juice.

Tips and Tricks

1. For instantly cold pineapple juice, keep your pineapple in the refrigerator before juicing it. You can keep it in there whole or chopped.
2. Use a sharp knife to cut up the pineapple; otherwise, removing the skin will be challenging.
3. If you’re in a tropical climate (or have a greenhouse), plant the pineapple top in your garden to start growing your own pineapples! It’s that easy!

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can easily make this juice a day ahead. Just follow the instructions and store the juice in a covered pitcher in the fridge until ready to use it.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve fresh pineapple juice cold, preferably poured over ice cubes. It should stay good in the fridge for three days if stored in a pitcher with a lid.

You can also freeze pineapple juice. Store it in an airtight container, leaving at least ½ inch of headspace at the top so the juice can expand as it freezes. It should last for three months. When ready to use it, simply defrost it in the fridge the night before serving.

What Goes With Pineapple Juice

I love a cold glass of pineapple juice with plantain chips and mango salsa. But it also goes great with any meal with a tropical flair. I also like pairing this juice with Jamaican curry shrimp, jibarito, or Cajun stuffed chicken. 🤤

More Fabulous Pineapple Recipes to Try

1. Pineapple Salsa
2. Carrot Pineapple Cake
3. Pineapple Cucumber Salad
4. Rum Raisin Pineapple Ice Cream
5. Pineapple Chicken

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”JZCNt4LD” upload-date=”2019-10-01T07:12:27.000Z” name=”Homemade Pineapple Juice” description=”Homemade Pineapple Juice – refreshingly sweet, a bit tangy with just the right amount of tartness made from real fresh pineapples. Easy, simple and loaded with tons of nutrients in every glass. Delicious tropical delight!”]

This blog post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video