Hydrating Sparkling Pineapple Cucumber Spritz

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 4 servings (about 6–7 oz each)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

Quick Ingredients

• 1 large English cucumber (about 12 oz / 340 g), chopped
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold water (for blending)
• 2 cups (480 ml) chilled 100% pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice
• 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) simple syrup or honey, to taste (optional)
• 2 cups (480 ml) chilled sparkling water
• 2 cups ice cubes
• Cucumber slices, pineapple wedges, fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Do This

• 1. Chill your glasses, pineapple juice, sparkling water, and cucumber if possible.
• 2. Blend chopped cucumber with 1 cup cold water until very smooth.
• 3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a smooth spritz, or leave as-is for extra body.
• 4. In a pitcher, combine cucumber juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and optional sweetener; stir well.
• 5. Fill 4 glasses halfway with ice; pour the pineapple–cucumber base until glasses are about two-thirds full.
• 6. Top each glass with sparkling water and gently stir once to combine without losing too much fizz.
• 7. Garnish with cucumber slices, pineapple wedges, and mint; serve immediately while icy cold and bubbly.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Light, crisp, and incredibly hydrating thanks to fresh cucumber and sparkling water.
• Bright pineapple and lime add tropical sweetness and tang without being heavy.
• Completely no-cook and ready in about 10 minutes, perfect for last-minute entertaining.
• Easily customizable: make it pulpy or silky smooth, sweeter or tart, or even turn it into a cocktail.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 large English cucumber, 1–2 limes, small bunch fresh mint (optional), fresh pineapple wedges for garnish (optional)
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: 100% pineapple juice, sparkling water, simple syrup or honey (optional), ice

Full Ingredients

For the Pineapple–Cucumber Base

• 1 large English cucumber (about 12 oz / 340 g), washed and roughly chopped (peeling optional)
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold water (to help with blending)
• 2 cups (480 ml) chilled 100% pineapple juice
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1–2 limes)
• 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) simple syrup or runny honey, to taste (optional, depending on sweetness of your juice)

To Finish the Spritz

• 2 cups (480 ml) chilled sparkling water (plain or lightly flavored)
• 2 cups ice cubes (about 12–16 standard cubes)

For Garnish (Optional but Recommended)

• Thin cucumber rounds or ribbons
• Fresh pineapple wedges or chunks
• Fresh mint sprigs

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill your ingredients and prep the cucumber

For the most refreshing spritz, start with everything as cold as possible. Place your pineapple juice and sparkling water in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or use them straight from the fridge. If you have time, pop your serving glasses in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to lightly frost them.

Wash the cucumber thoroughly. If you prefer a very pale green drink with a super-smooth texture, you can peel the cucumber first; otherwise, leave the skin on for extra color and nutrients. Chop the cucumber into roughly 1-inch pieces so they are easy to blend.

Step 2: Blend the cucumber

Add the chopped cucumber and 1 cup (240 ml) of cold water to a blender. Blend on high speed for 30–60 seconds, or until the mixture looks very smooth and the cucumber pieces are completely broken down. You should have a vibrant green, frothy liquid with a fine pulp.

Step 3: Strain or keep the pulp (your choice)

If you want a silky, spa-style spritz, set a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl or large measuring cup. Pour the cucumber mixture through and use the back of a spoon to press out as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining pulp (or save it for smoothies). You should end up with about 1 to 1 1/4 cups of cucumber juice.

If you enjoy more body and fiber in your drinks, you can skip the straining step entirely and use the blended cucumber mixture as-is. The spritz will be slightly thicker and more rustic, but still wonderfully refreshing.

Step 4: Mix the pineapple–cucumber base

In a pitcher that holds at least 5 cups (1.2 liters), combine the cucumber juice (strained or not), 2 cups (480 ml) chilled pineapple juice, and 2 tbsp (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice. Stir well to combine.

Taste the mixture. Depending on how sweet your pineapple juice is and how tart your limes are, you may want to add 1–2 tbsp (15–30 ml) simple syrup or honey. Add a little at a time, stirring and tasting, until it is pleasantly sweet but still bright and refreshing. Remember that the sparkling water and ice will dilute the sweetness slightly.

Step 5: Add ice and top with sparkling water

Fill 4 chilled glasses about halfway with ice cubes. Give the pineapple–cucumber base a quick stir, then pour it into each glass until it is about two-thirds full (roughly 4–5 oz per glass).

Top each glass with about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of chilled sparkling water. Pour gently down the side of the glass to help preserve the bubbles. Give each drink one gentle stir so the flavors combine without knocking out too much fizz.

Step 6: Garnish and serve immediately

To garnish, tuck a thin cucumber round or ribbon against the inside of each glass. Add a small pineapple wedge to the rim and slip in a fresh mint sprig for aroma. Serve the spritzes right away, while they are icy cold and sparkling.

Sip and enjoy the balance of cool cucumber, bright pineapple, and zippy lime with every crisp, bubbly mouthful.

Pro Tips

• Chill everything well: Cold ingredients mean you need less ice, so your spritz stays flavorful instead of getting watered down.
• Add bubbles at the last moment: Keep the sparkling water sealed and chilled, and only top off the glasses right before serving so the spritz stays nice and fizzy.
• Adjust pulp level: For a silky, elegant drink, strain the cucumber. For a more rustic, nutrient-rich version, leave the pulp in.
• Use good-quality juice: Choose 100% pineapple juice with no added sugar for the cleanest, freshest flavor, then sweeten to taste if needed.
• Batch for a crowd: You can easily double or triple the cucumber and pineapple base; just keep sparkling water separate and add to each glass as you serve.

Variations

• Spicy Pineapple–Cucumber Spritz: Blend a few thin slices of fresh jalapeño with the cucumber, then strain well. Start with 2–3 slices and adjust heat to your liking.
• Coconut Refresh: Replace half of the pineapple juice with chilled coconut water for a lighter, more hydrating twist with a subtle coconut note.
• Adults-Only Version: Add 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) vodka, white rum, or tequila blanco to each glass before topping with the sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.

Storage & Make-Ahead

You can prepare the pineapple–cucumber base (cucumber juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and any sweetener) up to 24–48 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container or covered pitcher in the refrigerator. Stir well before serving, as natural separation may occur. Do not add the sparkling water or ice until just before serving, or the drink will go flat and diluted. Once assembled with sparkling water, the spritz is best enjoyed within 15–20 minutes while it is still bubbly and cold.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values for 1 of 4 servings, made with 100% pineapple juice and no added sweetener: about 80–90 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 15–20 g carbohydrates, 1–2 g fiber, 15–18 g natural sugars, 1–2 g protein, and a small amount of vitamin C and potassium. Values will vary based on the exact brands of juice, whether you keep the cucumber pulp, and whether you add any sweetener.