Tropical Citrus Pineapple Chia Cooler

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 4 servings (about 4 tall glasses)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes (includes chia soaking)

Quick Ingredients

• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup cold water (for soaking chia)
• 1 cup pineapple juice (chilled)
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 2–3 oranges)
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
• 2–3 tbsp liquid honey or agave nectar, to taste
• 1 cup cold still water (to dilute)
• 1–1 1/2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
• Ice cubes
• Orange, lemon, and pineapple slices, plus fresh mint, for garnish (optional)
• Small pinch of fine sea salt (optional, enhances flavor)

Do This

• 1. In a jar, whisk 3 tbsp chia seeds with 1 cup cold water. Let sit 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until gelled.
• 2. Meanwhile, juice oranges and lemons; strain if you prefer a smoother drink.
• 3. In a pitcher, combine pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, honey/agave, and a small pinch of salt. Stir until the sweetener dissolves.
• 4. Add the hydrated chia gel and 1 cup cold water to the pitcher. Whisk well so the seeds are evenly suspended.
• 5. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness with more honey or lemon juice as needed. Chill briefly if time allows.
• 6. To serve, fill glasses with ice, pour in the chia-citrus mixture about two-thirds full, top with sparkling water, gently stir, and garnish.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright, sunny flavors from orange, lemon, and pineapple make this cooler taste like a tropical vacation in a glass.
• Chia seeds add fun texture and a gentle, natural thickening without making the drink heavy.
• Easy to mix in one pitcher, it is perfect for serving guests or prepping ahead for busy days.
• Naturally dairy-free and easily adjustable in sweetness, it suits a wide range of tastes and diets.

Grocery List

• Produce: Oranges, lemons, pineapple (or high-quality pineapple juice), fresh mint (optional)
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Chia seeds, liquid honey or agave nectar, sparkling water or club soda, fine sea salt, ice

Full Ingredients

For the Chia Base

• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup cold water (for soaking the chia seeds)

For the Citrus–Pineapple Cooler

• 1 cup pineapple juice, chilled (fresh-pressed or 100% juice)
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 2–3 medium oranges)
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1–2 lemons)
• 2–3 tbsp liquid honey or agave nectar, to taste
• 1 cup cold still water (to dilute the base)
• Small pinch (about 1/16 tsp) fine sea salt, optional but recommended

To Serve

• 1–1 1/2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda (amount to taste)
• Ice cubes, as needed
• Orange slices, lemon slices, and pineapple wedges, for garnish (optional)
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Hydrate the chia seeds

Add the chia seeds to a medium jar or bowl. Pour in 1 cup of cold water and whisk immediately and vigorously for 20–30 seconds to break up any clumps. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes, then whisk again. Repeat once more after another 5–10 minutes. After about 15 minutes total, the chia seeds should be surrounded by a soft gel and the mixture will look thick and slightly syrupy rather than watery.

If you see any dry pockets of seeds, break them up with a fork or small whisk. Set aside while you prepare the juices.

Step 2: Juice the citrus

While the chia is hydrating, juice the oranges and lemons. Roll each fruit firmly on the counter with your palm to help release more juice, then slice in half and squeeze using a citrus juicer or reamer. Measure out 3/4 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup lemon juice. If you prefer a very smooth drink, strain the juices through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp; if you like a bit of body, you can leave some pulp in.

Step 3: Mix the citrus–pineapple base

In a large pitcher (at least 1.5-liter capacity), combine the pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, honey or agave, and a small pinch of fine sea salt. Stir well until the sweetener is completely dissolved and the mixture looks uniform. Add 1 cup of cold still water and stir again. Taste the base: it should be bright and tangy but pleasantly sweet. Adjust by adding a little more honey/agave for sweetness or a splash of lemon juice for extra tartness, as you like.

Step 4: Add the hydrated chia

Give the chia mixture one last stir to loosen it, then pour it into the pitcher with the citrus–pineapple base. Whisk or stir thoroughly until the chia seeds are evenly distributed and no large clumps remain. The liquid will look slightly thicker with tiny seeds suspended throughout. Let the pitcher rest for 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the chia settles into an even texture. Stir again just before serving.

Step 5: Chill and prepare the glasses

If you have time, place the pitcher in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes to get everything well chilled. Otherwise, you can rely on ice to cool the drink quickly. Fill 4 tall glasses (such as highball or Collins glasses) about halfway with ice cubes. If using garnishes, slip a slice of orange or lemon and a small pineapple wedge along the inside of each glass so the fruit is visible from the outside.

Step 6: Finish with sparkling water and serve

Stir the pitcher again to lift any chia seeds from the bottom. Pour the chia-citrus mixture into each prepared glass, filling them about two-thirds full. Top each glass with 1/4 to 1/3 cup chilled sparkling water or club soda, depending on how bubbly and light you prefer your cooler. Give each glass a gentle stir to combine without knocking out too much carbonation. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and an extra citrus slice on the rim, if desired. Serve immediately while icy cold and lightly effervescent.

Pro Tips

• Prevent chia clumps: Always whisk chia into water, not water into chia. Stir a few times during the first 10 minutes so the seeds hydrate evenly and do not form gummy balls.
• Balance the sweetness: Pineapple and orange can vary in sweetness. Start with 2 tbsp sweetener, taste, and add the third tablespoon only if needed.
• Salt for flavor depth: That tiny pinch of sea salt does not make the drink salty; it simply sharpens the fruit flavors and makes the cooler taste more rounded.
• Adjust the texture: For a lighter drink, add an extra 1/2–1 cup still water before serving. For a thicker, more smoothie-like sip, reduce the still water slightly or add an extra tablespoon of chia.
• Keep the fizz bright: Add sparkling water just before serving, not to the pitcher ahead of time, so the bubbles stay lively.

Variations

• Mango twist: Replace half of the pineapple juice (1/2 cup) with mango nectar for a slightly creamier, richer tropical flavor.
• Coconut cooler: Swap the 1 cup still water in the base for 1 cup light coconut water. It adds a subtle coconut note and extra electrolytes.
• Herbal version: Add a small handful of fresh mint or basil leaves to the pitcher and lightly muddle them with the juices before adding the chia for a fragrant, spa-style drink.

Storage & Make-Ahead

The chia-citrus base (without the sparkling water and ice) can be stored in a covered pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The chia seeds will continue to thicken the liquid slightly over time; simply stir well and, if desired, thin with a splash of cold water before serving. Add sparkling water and ice only at the last minute so the drink stays fizzy and does not become diluted. Leftover fully mixed cooler (with sparkling water) is best enjoyed within a few hours; after that, the bubbles fade and the ice can water it down, though the flavor will still be pleasant.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values for one of 4 servings (without garnishes): about 130 calories; 2 g fat; 2 g protein; 30 g carbohydrates; 6 g fiber; 23 g total sugars (mostly from fruit); 0 mg cholesterol; 40–60 mg sodium (depending on the pinch of salt and sparkling water used). These numbers are estimates and will vary based on the exact juices and sweetener you choose.