Pineapple Basil Agua Fresca With a Tropical Twist

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 4 servings (about 6 cups / 1.4 L)
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes

Quick Ingredients

• 4 cups ripe pineapple chunks (about 1 medium pineapple)
• ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves (about 15–20 leaves)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar or agave syrup, plus more to taste
• 3 cups cold water, divided
• Pinch of fine sea salt (optional, enhances flavor)
• 3–4 cups ice cubes, for serving
• Extra basil sprigs and lime slices, for garnish (optional)

Do This

• 1. Prep pineapple (peel, core, and cut into chunks), rinse basil, and juice the limes.
• 2. In a blender, combine pineapple, basil, 2 cups water, lime juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
• 3. Blend on high for 45–60 seconds until very smooth and the basil is finely blended.
• 4. Taste and adjust sweetness or lime: add a little more sugar or lime juice as needed; blend briefly again.
• 5. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher if you prefer a smoother drink, pressing on the pulp.
• 6. Stir in the remaining 1 cup cold water to thin, then chill in the refrigerator or serve right away over lots of ice.
• 7. Garnish glasses with basil sprigs and lime slices, give a quick stir, and enjoy immediately.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright, tropical flavor from sweet pineapple with a fresh, herbal basil twist.
• Light, refreshing, and not too sweet, perfect for hot days or backyard gatherings.
• Comes together quickly in a blender with simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
• Flexible recipe: adjust sweetness, strain or not, and add sparkling water if you like bubbles.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 ripe pineapple, 1 small bunch fresh basil, 2–3 limes
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Granulated sugar or agave syrup, fine sea salt (optional), ice, water (still or sparkling)

Full Ingredients

Pineapple–Basil Agua Fresca

• 4 cups ripe pineapple chunks (about 600 g; from 1 medium pineapple), chilled if possible
• ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves (about 15–20 large leaves), plus extra for garnish
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (60 ml; about 2 medium limes), plus more to taste
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g) or agave syrup, plus more to taste
• 3 cups cold water (720 ml), divided
• 1 small pinch fine sea salt (about 1/16 teaspoon; optional but recommended)
• 3–4 cups ice cubes, for serving

Optional Garnishes & Variations

• Lime slices or wheels
• Small basil sprigs or torn basil leaves
• Chilled sparkling water, to top off glasses (optional)
• Thin slices of fresh jalapeño, for a spicy variation (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Choose and Prep a Sweet Pineapple

Pick a ripe pineapple: it should smell sweet at the base, feel slightly soft when you press gently, and be more golden than green on the outside. Rinse the pineapple, then cut off the top and bottom. Stand it upright and slice off the peel in wide strips, following the curve of the fruit. Trim away any remaining “eyes.” Cut the pineapple into quarters lengthwise, slice out the tough core from each quarter, then chop the flesh into chunks about 1–1½ inches wide. Measure out 4 cups of pineapple chunks (about 600 g) and set aside.

Rinse the basil leaves under cool water and pat dry. Gently pull the leaves from the stems until you have a loosely packed ½ cup. Juice the limes until you have ¼ cup fresh juice; strain out any seeds.

Step 2: Load the Blender

In a large blender jar, combine the prepped ingredients in this order (this helps them blend smoothly):

• 4 cups pineapple chunks
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cups cold water
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup sugar or agave syrup
• Small pinch of fine sea salt (if using)

Starting with the liquids helps the blades catch the fruit more easily. Make sure the lid is on tightly before blending.

Step 3: Blend Until Silky and Vivid Green-Gold

Blend on high speed for 45–60 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth. The color should be a bright yellow with soft green flecks from the basil, and you should not see large chunks of fruit or whole leaves. If your blender struggles, pause and scrape down the sides, then blend again. A high-powered blender may need only 30–45 seconds; standard blenders may take a bit longer.

Once smooth, stop the blender and carefully remove the lid (away from your face in case of any splashes).

Step 4: Taste, Adjust, and Strain (If You Like It Smooth)

Give the blended mixture a taste. If you prefer it sweeter, add 1–2 teaspoons more sugar at a time, blending briefly after each addition. For more tang, add another teaspoon or two of lime juice and blend again. Remember that pouring over ice will dilute the flavor a little, so keep it slightly more intense than you want the final drink to taste.

For a smooth, juice-like agua fresca, set a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher. Pour the mixture through the sieve, using a spoon or spatula to press and stir, extracting as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining fibrous pulp. If you enjoy a thicker, smoothie-like drink with more fiber, you can skip straining and pour the blended mixture directly into your pitcher.

Step 5: Thin, Chill, and Get Ready to Serve

Stir in the remaining 1 cup cold water to the pitcher and mix well. This lightens the texture to a refreshing, sippable consistency. Taste once more and adjust sweetness or lime if needed; small adjustments go a long way.

If you have time, cover the pitcher and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours, to let the flavors meld and to get it very cold. If you are serving right away, make sure your pineapple and water were well-chilled and plan to use plenty of ice in each glass.

Step 6: Serve Over Ice with Fresh Basil and Lime

Fill glasses about halfway to two-thirds full with ice cubes. Give the pitcher a good stir to re-disperse any settled pulp, then pour the pineapple–basil agua fresca over the ice. For a lighter, bubbly version, fill glasses two-thirds full with agua fresca and top each with a splash of chilled sparkling water.

Garnish each glass with a small sprig of basil and a lime slice or wheel on the rim. Serve immediately while icy-cold, and stir occasionally as you sip so the basil and pineapple flavors stay well mixed.

Pro Tips

• Pick ultra-ripe pineapple: The best flavor comes from fruit that smells fruity and sweet at the base. Avoid pineapples that smell fermented or feel mushy.
• Do not overdo the basil: Basil is potent. Start with the measured ½ cup leaves. If you want a stronger herbal note, add a few extra leaves at a time and re-blend; too much can turn slightly bitter.
• For a bright green hue: Blend the basil just until smooth and serve soon after blending. Long storage will mellow the bright green color, which is normal but less vivid.
• Strain for crowd-pleasing smoothness: If serving guests, straining through a fine-mesh sieve gives a silky, juice-like drink that almost everyone enjoys.
• Chill everything: Use chilled pineapple, cold water, and cold glasses so you do not need as much ice and your drink stays fuller flavored, not watered down.

Variations

• Sparkling Pineapple–Basil Spritzer: Make the recipe as written, then fill glasses halfway with agua fresca and top with very cold sparkling water or club soda. Gently stir and garnish with extra basil.
• Spicy Pineapple Fresca: Add 2–3 thin slices of fresh jalapeño (seeds removed for milder heat) to the blender in Step 2. Blend and strain as directed. Taste carefully and adjust heat by adding more jalapeño slices if desired.
• Coconut Twist: Replace 1 cup of the water with 1 cup cold coconut water for a subtly creamy, tropical flavor that pairs beautifully with basil.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Store leftover pineapple–basil agua fresca in a covered pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The bright green color from the basil may fade slightly and some pulp may settle; this is normal. Stir or shake well before serving. For the freshest basil flavor and color, you can blend the pineapple, water, sugar, and lime up to 1 day in advance, then blend in the basil just before serving and strain if desired. Avoid freezing this drink, as the texture and basil flavor change once thawed.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values per 1 serving (about 1½ cups / 360 ml), using granulated sugar and serving 4: 125 calories; 0 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 5 mg sodium; 32 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 29 g sugars; 1 g protein. Actual values will vary based on the exact size and sweetness of your pineapple and how much sugar you add.