This fresh pineapple lemonade blends tart lemon juice with sweet pineapple juice for a pitcher that tastes like sunshine and takes about 10 minutes to stir together.
There is no cooking and almost no cleanup. It scales easily for a crowd, and it is just as good sipped on a patio as it is poured at a picnic or a summer cookout.
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Why This Fresh Pineapple Lemonade Recipe Works
Pineapple juice rounds out the sharp lemon, so you need less sugar than a standard lemonade and the flavor stays bright. The two fruits balance each other in every sip.
A ratio of roughly one part juice to one part water keeps every glass refreshing instead of syrupy, and you can adjust the sweetness by the spoonful until it suits your taste.
Using real fruit juices gives a clean, fruity flavor that bottled mixes cannot match, and the pitcher looks pretty with floating slices of lemon and pineapple.
Ingredients for Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 6 to 7 lemons
- 2 cups fresh pineapple juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar, adjust to taste
- 4 cups cold water
- 2 cups ice cubes, for serving
- 6 lemon slices, for garnish
- 6 pineapple wedges, for garnish
Lemon juice. Squeeze it fresh and strain out the seeds. Roll the lemons on the counter first to get more juice from each one.
Pineapple juice. Blend about 4 cups of ripe pineapple chunks and pass the puree through a sieve. Canned unsweetened juice also works in a pinch.
Sugar. Stir until it is completely dissolved. A splash of warm water speeds this up if the grains linger.
Cold water. It dilutes the juices to a sippable strength. Sparkling water makes the drink fizzy.
Garnish. Lemon slices and pineapple wedges make each glass look inviting.
How to Make Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
1. Juice the fruit Squeeze the lemons and strain out the seeds, then juice or blend the pineapple and strain it so the pitcher stays smooth.
2. Combine the juices Pour the lemon juice and pineapple juice into a large pitcher.
3. Dissolve the sugar Add the sugar and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until the grains disappear completely.
4. Add the water Stir in the cold water, taste, and add more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
5. Serve over ice Fill glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade, and add lemon slices and pineapple wedges.
How to Serve Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
Pour the lemonade over a full glass of ice and add a garnish. It goes well with a fruity mojito for the grown ups and a blueberry pitcher drink on the same table. A spoonful of fresh fruit pavlova or a cold fruit smoothie rounds out a brunch spread.
How to Store and Reheat Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
Store leftover lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and stir before pouring because the pineapple pulp settles. Keep ice separate so the drink does not water down. Freeze extra lemonade in ice cube trays for up to 2 months and use the cubes to chill future pitchers.
Tips and Variations for Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
Taste as you go. Pineapples vary in sweetness, so adjust the sugar at the end.
Chill first. Refrigerate the pitcher for 30 minutes before serving for a colder drink.
Add fizz. Top each glass with sparkling water just before serving.
Make a syrup. Warm the sugar with 1 cup of the water if you want it to dissolve faster, then cool it.
Add herbs. Muddle a few mint leaves in the pitcher for a cooling note.
Try a frozen version. Blend the lemonade with ice for a slushy.
Wash the fruit. Rinse lemons and pineapples before cutting so surface dirt stays out of the juice.
Handle fresh juice carefully. Use clean tools and refrigerate within 2 hours, and see the Purdue Extension guide to storing leftovers for more guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
Can I make fresh pineapple lemonade with canned juice?
Yes. Use unsweetened pineapple juice and reduce the sugar slightly, since canned juice can taste sweeter.
How long does fresh pineapple lemonade keep?
It keeps for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Stir it before serving.
Can I scale fresh pineapple lemonade for a crowd?
Yes. Double or triple the amounts in a large drink dispenser and add the ice to each glass.
Can I use less sugar?
Yes. Start with 1/2 cup, taste, and add more a spoonful at a time.
Can I use frozen pineapple?
Yes. Thaw it, blend it, and strain the juice before using.
Fresh Pineapple Lemonade
Equipment
- Large Pitcher
- Citrus juicer
- Fine sieve
- Long spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 6 to 7 lemons, strained
- 2 cup fresh pineapple juice strained
- 1 cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 4 cup cold water
- 2 cup ice cubes for serving
- 6 lemon slices for garnish
- 6 pineapple wedges for garnish
Instructions
Cooking
- Juice. Squeeze and strain the lemons and strain the pineapple juice.
- Mix. Pour both juices into a pitcher, add the sugar, and stir 1 to 2 minutes until it dissolves.
- Dilute. Add the cold water and taste, adding sugar or lemon as needed.
- Serve. Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices and pineapple wedges.
