This grilled pineapple juice is a uniquely sweet and refreshing drink to have during hot days or to serve at backyard barbecues and other summer gatherings. It's sweet, smoky and delicious!
You can add another layer of flavor to piña coladas or your favorite pineapple juice cocktails. The best part is, after grilling the pineapple, it only takes a few ingredients to blend it all together without the need for a juicer.
I prefer to drink grilled pineapple juice over plain pineapple juice for its intensified flavor. I also have these fresh, fruity drinks you might like to enjoy this summer: homemade strawberry juice and a tutorial for how to make fresh lemonade.
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Grilled Pineapple Juice Ingredients
- ripe pineapple - The pineapple will be peeled and sliced before grilling. If you have a pineapple corer, that will help bring some of the prep time down.
- water - Not pictured. To make the juice.
- limes - For freshly squeezed lime juice.
- fresh ginger - Optional. I love the kick from the fresh ginger.
- agave nectar - Or your preferred sweetener like white sugar or honey.
- ice - For serving.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
How to Make it
Step 1. Cut the top and bottom off of the pineapple. Peel and slice the pineapple into rings.
Step 2. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the pineapple rings on the grill. Grill until you see grill marks on both sides and the pineapple is warm and soft, about 10 minutes per side.
Step 3. Let cool slightly and chop into pieces (discarding the hard core) until you get 2 cups of pineapple.
Step 4. Place the chopped, grilled pineapple in a blender with the water, lime juice, ginger and sweetener. Blend until smooth.
Chef's Note: Optionally, you can strain it through a fine mesh strainer at this point, but I prefer it with the pulp.
Step 5. Serve in glasses over ice with a grilled pineapple wedge garnish!
How to Use a Pineapple Corer
A pineapple corer actually peels, cores and slices a whole pineapple in minutes. I love using it!
Step 1. Cut the top of the pineapple off.
Step 2. Insert the pineapple corer into the middle of the pineapple. The blade should be in place over the hard core. Twist the handle until you reach the bottom of the pineapple.
Step 3. Pull the corer out of the pineapple rind.
Chef's Note: There is usually some juice left, which I love to drink straight out of the pineapple rind.
Step 4. Press the buttons on the handle to release it from the blade and pull the rings off. That's it! This will create thinner slices so the grilling time may vary.
Joss' Tips
- If desired, you can reserve one ½” thick pineapple ring with the skin on, grill it and cut into wedges for a stunning drink garnish! You can cut a slit halfway into the middle of the wedge so that you can rest it on the rim of the glass.
- Don't add ice until serving or you will water down the drink. Alternatively, you can chill it in the fridge for a couple of hours and serve it with no ice.
What to do With Leftover Juice
- Freeze: If you have any leftover juice, and you won’t be able to finish it in a few days, I recommend freezing the juice. While you can freeze it in a glass or plastic container for up to 1 year, be sure to leave ½ inch of air space on top because as it freezes, it expands.
- Ice cube trays: Another cool idea is to pour the juice into ice cube trays and freeze so that you can add them to sparkling water or blend them into smoothies and other drinks like piña coladas.
- Refrigerate: Alternatively, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.
- Make Piña Coladas: If you are making piña coladas with this juice, I don’t recommend adding the ginger. That might throw off the classic flavor of the drink.
- Leftover grilled pineapple: Any remaining grilled pineapple slices that you don’t use for the juice can be refrigerated and saved as a snack for up to 3 days.
Recipe FAQs
What does grilling do to the pineapple’s taste? Grilling food in general adds a smokiness. I compared grilled pineapple juice to plain pineapple juice side by side with a taste test.
With the grilled pineapples, the charred bits added a subtle, smokey undertone to the sour and sweet juices. Speaking of sweet, with the added heat, it caramelized the sugars, resulting in the pineapple rings having a deeper sweetness and flavor. They were also a bit darker in color and more tender for blending.
Yes. For best flavor, make sure the pineapple is ripe before grilling.
More Cool Drinks for Summer
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📋Recipe
Grilled Pineapple Juice
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe pineapple - peeled and sliced into rings about ¾” thick
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger - grated (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice - freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons sugar or agave nectar - or to taste
- ice - for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the pineapple rings on the grill. Grill until you see grill marks on both sides and the pineapple is warm and soft, about 10 minutes per side.
- Let cool slightly and chop into pieces (discarding the hard core) until you get 2 cups of pineapple.
- Place the chopped, grilled pineapple in a blender with the water, lime juice, ginger and sweetener. Blend until smooth. (Optionally, you can strain it through a fine mesh strainer, but I prefer it with the pulp.)
- Serve in glasses over ice with a grilled pineapple wedge garnish!
Equipment
Notes
- You can reserve one ½” thick pineapple ring with the skin on, grill it and cut into wedges for a stunning drink garnish!
- Leftover juice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 year.
- A pineapple slicer/corer would be very helpful for this recipe if you have one on hand. Instructions to use it are in the post.
- Don't add ice until serving or you will water down the drink. Alternatively, you can chill it in the fridge for a couple of hours and serve it with no ice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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