Agua de Piña (pineapple agua fresca)

Agua de piña is a symphony of tropical flavors and captures the essence of a warm, sun-kissed day in Mexico. This refreshing drink offers a delightful respite from the heat and makes the perfect accompaniment to joyous food gatherings!

this recipe

Agua de piña is a traditional Mexican beverage made from fresh pineapple, water, sugar, and sometimes a touch of lime juice. It is a type of “agua fresca,” a popular category of fruit-based drinks in Mexico that are light, refreshing, and typically served over ice.

Aguas frescas are typically made with a variety of fruits, such as agua de sandía (watermelon), cucumber, mango, and lemon, and are served chilled with ice.

Pineapple agua fresca is particularly popular for its sweet and tropical flavor, making it a favorite choice for quenching thirst on hot days or serving as a soft drink at social gatherings.

To make agua de piña, you blend fresh pineapple with water, and then strain the mixture to remove any remaining pulp. After that, sugar is added to taste, and the mixture is typically chilled before serving.

If you love those frescas beverages, try also Agua de Tamarindo and Agua de Pepino!

Ingredients

• Pineapple: Fresh pineapple is the star ingredient of this Mexican beverage, providing natural sweetness and a vibrant tropical flavor. I used a small pineapple which is about 3-4 cups of pineapple chunks.
• Water: Water is used to blend the fruit and dilute the pineapple drink, creating a lighter and more refreshing beverage. You’ll need approximately 9 cups of water for this recipe.
• Sugar: Sugar is added to sweeten the drink and balance the tartness of the pineapple. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to taste, but typically around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of granulated sugar is used. You can also use alternative sweeteners like honey or agave syrup if desired.
• Lime juice: I like to mix some lime juice for added brightness and acidity. This is optional, but if you choose to use lime juice, start with the juice of one lime and adjust to taste.
• Ice: This pineapple agua fresca is best served chilled, so having some ice on hand is essential. You can either add ice directly to the pitcher or serve the drink over ice in individual glasses.
• Additional flavorings (optional): You can add other flavorings like mint leaves, a pinch of salt, or a splash of vanilla extract to create a more complex flavor profile. These are optional and can be adjusted to your personal preferences.

How To Make Agua De Piña

Wash thoroughly the pineapple (piña) with a brush under running water to remove all dirt from it.

Lay the pineapple down on a cutting board and using a sharp knife slice off the top with the green crown.

Stand the pineapple up vertically and, starting from the top cut off the skin. Cut in a downward motion along the curvature of the fruit.

Last, cut the bottom with the last skin portion still attached.

Top Tip: Don’t throw away the skin of your pineapple! Use it to make Tepache, another refreshing pineapple drink.

Use the tip of your knife to trim off the small spots of skin, then lay down the pineapple and cut it into thick slices.

Cut all slices into chunks, you don’t need to remove the core as you will use all the flesh to make pineapple agua fresca, but you can save some to garnish the glasses if you want.

Place the pineapple chunks in a blender, add 1 1/2 cups of water, and blend on high until you will have a smooth mixture.

Note: Depending on the capacity of your blender, this step might need to be done in batches.

Strain the pineapple mixture (read notes) into a large pitcher. Pour in the remaining water and add 1/4 cup sugar.

Mix well until sugar dissolves, then taste, and adjust sweetness to your liking.

Serve in glasses with ice or put the pitcher in the refrigerator and let agua de piña cool for at least two hours before serving.

Expert Notes

• You can make pineapple water using a blender and add the mixture to the pitcher just as it is, thus avoiding eliminating the pulp that is rich in fiber.
• Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature and this includes water, if the water or pineapple is cold, dissolving the sugar will be more complicated.
• Do not add ice to the pitcher unless you intend to serve all pineapple water at once because it will dilute and lose some flavor.
• Add fresh lime juice to give an extra tangy touch.
• If your pineapple is well-ripened, you might not need to add sugar at all.
• You can use frozen pineapple to make agua de piña. Make sure to defrost it first or you’ll end with a pineapple smoothie instead.

What To Pair With

Pineapple agua fresca, with its light and refreshing taste, pairs well with a variety of foods, particularly those that complement its tropical and fruity character. Here are some suggestions:

• Tacos & Tostadas: Pineapple agua fresca is an excellent companion to traditional Mexican dishes such as taquitos rancheros and tostadas de camaron. The fruity and refreshing drink helps cleanse the palate and balance the flavors of spices and salsas in these dishes.
• Spicy dishes: The sweet and refreshing nature of pineapple agua fresca can help temper the heat of spicy dishes, such as aguachile de camarón and pollo a la diabla.
• Salads: Light and refreshing salads like salpicón or ensalada de atún can be an excellent match for pineapple agua fresca, enhancing the overall freshness of the meal.
• Light appetizers: Agua de piña can also be paired with light appetizers like ceviche, shrimp cocktail, or bruschetta, where the drink’s fruity brightness complements the appetizer’s flavors.

How To Store Pineapple Agua Fresca

Store your agua de piña in a sealed pitcher or large jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, do not store it longer or the fruit will start to ferment and change the flavor considerably.

Glass containers keep flavors best, but in Mexico, plastic pitchers are used on a daily basis and we still enjoy agua fresca de piña without a problem.

Just make sure to cover well the pitcher, if it doesn’t have a lid, just use cling film and cover it tightly, to prevent any random flavor from going into the drink.

FAQ

More Aguas Frescas Recipes

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