EspañolPineapple agua fresca or agua fresca de piña is ideal for hot summer days, family gatherings or parties. With just three ingredients, this refreshing drink is very easy to make. Below, in addition to the recipe, I also give ideas for recipe variations as well as tips on how tell to choose the perfect pineapple.
Refreshing Agua Fresca
My mom's favorite restaurant makes the best “preparados de fruta” (this is what some restaurants in Mexico call aguas frescas). And it was there that I fell in love with this fruity drink. It was served in one of the largest glasses I have ever seen, garnished with a slice of pineapple and a plump cherry.
One sip of this sweet, tropical drink was enough to make it one of my favorites. Now I'm sharing this simple recipe with you hoping it becomes one of your favorites as well.
How to Choose a Pineapple
Choosing a sweet, ripe pineapple is the first step. Consider this when purchasing at the grocery store or mercado:
- Its aroma: The bottom of the pineapple should have a sweet smell. If you don't detect any aroma, it's not ready. Conversely, if it has a fermented aroma, leave it alone.
- Its color: The leaves in the crown are dark green, and when you pull one of them, it doesn't come off easily. The body should have a yellowish-green color.
- Its weight: It should feel heavy in your hands, almost guaranteeing a lot of juice.
- Its texture: Choose a pineapple that feels solid and gives a little when you push with one of your fingers but is not too soft.
The Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapple is not only delicious and refreshing, it provides important benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a cup of chopped pineapple provides:
- One third of the daily recommendation of vitamin C.
- 100% of the daily recommendation of manganese.
- 10% fiber; and
- A good amount of B vitamins including thiamine, niacin, B6 and folic acid. as well as minerals such as copper, potassium and magnesium.
It's a delicious way to nourish our bodies.
More Recipes with Pineapple
Making agua de piña is the easiest way to include this tropical fruit on your menu, but there are many other ways, too. If you have leftovers try one of these recipes:
More Agua Fresca Recipes
Agua fresca literally translates as fresh water, and there are many popular Mexican drinks created with fruit, grains, flowers and veggies.
Visit our Aguas Frescas roundup where you'll find recipes with a variety of fruits, flowers, and grains, such as agua de jamaica, horchata, lemon water and more. Try them all!
Variations
Once you have prepared the basic recipe, you can start playing with the flavors:
- Give it more freshness by adding fresh lime juice, lemon juice, peppermint or mint leaves.
- Give it a spicy twist by adding fresh ginger.
- Give it more body and sweetness by adding a banana.
Another delicious idea inspired by the famous piña colada cocktail is this pineapple and coconut agua fresca that can be prepared any day of the year because you can use canned pineapple juice and canned pineapple if fresh aren't available.
This recipe uses granulated cane sugar, but you can substitute another sweetener of your choice, such as agave syrup, simple syrup, coconut sugar, etc.
You can also omit it completely if you have a very good pineapple and it's sweet enough for your taste.
Storage
This agua de piña must always be in the fridge until the moment you serve it, and leftovers should be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Another fun idea is to turn this popular drink into pineapple popsicles.
Pour the pineapple water into ice pop molds and add fresh pineapple chunks or other fresh fruit. Put the molds in the freezer and enjoy the next day.
Let's prepare it.
Mexican Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe
6 cups
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh pineapple in chunks (approx 500 gr)
- ¼ cup granulated cane sugar
- 4 cups of cold water
- Ice cubes
Equipment
You will need a blender, if you have a high-powered blender even better. A strainer and a large pitcher.
Process
Place the pineapple chunks, sugar, and 2 cups of water in the blender. Blend until all the ingredients are combined.
Tip: The amount of sugar depends on your personal preference and the natural sugars in the pineapple you bought. I recommend trying the fruit before blending it and then adding sugar or the sweetener of your choice little by little.
Pour it into the pitcher, passing it through a fine mesh strainer. At some point, you will need to use a spoon or your fingers to press the juice from the bagaso, all that fiber trapped by the strainer. For me the best way to do this is by using a couple of fingers.
But If you prefer your agua fresca with pulp, skip this step.
Pour the other two glasses of water into the blender, stir a little, and pour them into the pitcher. Adjust for sweetness and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Pour over ice cubes if you are serving it immediately. But always give it a stir before pouring.
Garnish with pineapple wedges and fresh mint leaves or lime slices and enjoy!
Mexican Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh pineapple in chunks approx 500 gr
- ¼ cup granulated cane sugar
- 4 cups of cold water
- Ice cubes
Utensilios
- A blender, if you have a high-powered blender even better.
- A strainer
- A pitcher.
Instructions
- Place the pineapple chunks, sugar, and 2 cups of water in the blender. Blend until all the ingredients are combined.
- Tip: The amount of sugar depends on your personal preference and the natural sugars in the pineapple you bought. I recommend trying the fruit before blending it and then adding sugar or the sweetener of your choice little by little
- Pour it into the pitcher, passing it through a fine mesh strainer. At some point, you will need to use a spoon or your fingers to press the juice from the bagaso, all that fiber trapped by the strainer. For me the best way to do this is by using a couple of fingers.
- But If you prefer your agua fresca with pulp, skip this step.
- Pour the other two glasses of water into the blender, stir a little, and pour them into the pitcher. Adjust for sweetness.
- Pour over ice cubes if you are serving it immediately. But always give it a stir before pouring.
- Garnish with pineapple wedges and fresh mint leaves or lime slices and enjoy!
Nutrition
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