Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe (Agua de Piña)

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Pineapple 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.

Two glasses pineapple agua fresca with ice and mint garnish on a colorful woven cloth.

Refreshing Agua Fresca

A smiling woman in a pink and black top.

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.

La palabra silvia escrite en color rojo

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. 
A fresh pineapple beside sliced pineapple on a plate, with a glass of water, jug, and a bowl of sugar on a wooden table.

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.

A collage of Mexican aguas frescas.

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.

A glass of pineapple agua fresca with ice and a mint leaf on a colorful woven cloth.

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.

Refreshing pineapple beverages with ice and mint garnish on a colorful tablecloth.

Garnish with pineapple wedges and fresh mint leaves or lime slices and enjoy!

Two glasses of freshly made Pineapple Agua Fresca garnished with mint on a colorful woven cloth.

Mexican Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe

This pineapple agua fresca is very refreshing. You just need 3 ingredients and 15 minutes of your time to prepare it.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 70kcal

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

Nutrition Facts
Mexican Pineapple Agua Fresca Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
70
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.03
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
83
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
18
g
6
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Protein
 
0.4
g
1
%
Vitamin A
 
44
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
36
mg
44
%
Calcium
 
10
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Cold Beverages & Aguas Frescas
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
Keyword: aguas frescas mexicanas, non-alcoholic drinks, pineapple drinks, Pineapple recipes, summer drinks
Silvia Martinez
Latest posts by Silvia Martinez (see all)

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