Pineapple Alcohol: Different Drink Recipes For a Classic Fruit
Pineapple is a tasty tropical fruit that is both delicious and good for you. The island vibe you get from pineapple is no coincidence either. Pineapples come from all over the world, but almost seventy-five percent of them come from Costa Rica. That pura vida lifestyle, of course, comes with a cocktail in hand!
Pineapples used to primarily come from the Big Island of Hawaii, but now, the production of the fruit had dispersed to other lands. Regardless, from Costa Rica to Hawaii, the island time mentality prevails. Enjoy your days, balance your work with play, and enjoy a tasty refreshment with your loved ones.
The awesome flavor of pineapple also means that it is a great mixer or even a main ingredient in different alcohols. You can experiment with your own favorite flavors and see all of the wonderful things that pineapple can become. Otherwise, we have you covered with some ideas and recipes to kickstart your creativity.
Today, we are going to spotlight that golden goddess, the sweet pineapple. We’re not talking just the piña colada (but yum). Even though that may be the first drink that comes to mind when thinking about pineapple alcohol, it doesn’t start and end there.
There is so much more you can make out of this fanciful fruit! In fact, one boozy beverage is actually made almost entirely from pineapple peels. It’s called tepache, and it ranges from very little alcohol content to as boozy as you would like it to be.
Bring out your trusty ol’ bar cart and load up on pineapples (don’t throw out the peel), because we’re about to take this classic fruit and give it a twist! We’re about to cover four different recipes to take your pineapple alcohol from run of the mill to talk of the town.
Tepache A.K.A Pineapple Beer
Tepache is a traditional Mexican drink. It is a refreshing, sweet but not too sweet creation. You can make your own, or if you are feeling off of your mixologist game, you can buy it ready-made.
If you are feeling up to a brewmaster’s challenge today, you can brew your own tepache. It is exactly the refreshment you might need on a hot summer's day.
To make tepache, you’ll need:
- 1 ripe pineapple
- Beer of your choice
- 1 cup of Piloncillo
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 2 quarts of filtered water
Adding in the different spices beefs up the flavor!
Peel the Pineapple
Rinse the pineapple and cut the peel. Then slice or chop up the tasty pineapple pulp.
Combine Ingredients in a Glass Pitcher
Combine the pineapple peels, the piloncillo or sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, beer, and the 2 quarts of water.
Let the Fermentation Begin
Cover the glass pitcher with a cloth or something light to let it breathe. You can use cheesecloth or plastic wrap too. Then, let the brew sit for twenty-four hours.
Remove the Foam
White foam will have collected on the top of your tepache; get rid of it. Then just loosely cover it up again and let it sit for another twenty-four to thirty-six hours.
Strain It
Strain the tepache and pour it onto a pitcher with lots and lots of ice. Taste it to measure the sweetness, and add extra sugar if need be. Keep any excess you may have and save it for later.
You’ll be loving your pineapple for all of its parts with this recipe!
Pineapple Margarita
This pineapple margarita is a tropical twist on a classic tequila treat. The ingredients you need to get your hands on for this funky pineapple margarita is:
- Pineapple juice (to taste)
- 3oz Tequila
- 1.5oz part Cointreau
- Three tablespoons lime juice
- Slice of pineapple (or garnish)
- Salt (large grain for best results)
These measurements can all be adjusted based on your alcohol preferences. You can always increase or decrease the amount of each ingredient to your own tastes and preferences. This should serve as a good base to start from.
As for the pineapple juice, you can juice your own or buy it canned—whichever floats your boat.
Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake it up. Rim your glass with salt. Then pour the ingredients into your glass and enjoy the fruity, boozy goodness!
Pineapple Screwdriver
Pineapple screwdrivers are another twist on a classic cocktail that includes our high hailed pineapple. Here’s how you make ‘em and all of the goods you will need to put it together.
- One part pineapple juice
- One part orange juice
- 3oz Vodka
- Orange slice
- Pineapple slice
- Fresh mint or Maraschino cherries
Again, all of these measurements can be altered to fit your taste preferences. Don’t be shy; you could even throw two or three pineapple slices in there as a garnish.
For this drink, combine all of the liquids in a shaker and pour it over ice. Then, garnish the rim of your glass with a wedge of pineapple and pop a maraschino cherry into the mixture.
You can even get a little fancy and shave a pineapple rind down, giving it a cocktail twirl to finish off the prettiest pineapple creation. Enjoy the tropical twist on the oh-so-classic screwdriver.
Boozy Pineapple Tea
This last drink isn’t complex—it’s a salt of the Earth pineapple cocktail.
- One pineapple (save the rinds)
- Mint leaves
- One tablespoon of coconut sugar
- 3oz Rum
All you have to do for this drink is juice your pineapple and simmer the rinds in water for about twenty-five minutes. Add the two liquids together, then ice your mixture. Next, add in your rum and sugar. Garnish it with mint leaves; you can also muddle some in for an added bite.
All of these drinks utilize the stunning pineapple, which turns these classic cocktails into beverages worthy of an island vacation. Get mixing and enjoy all of the wonderful things that your pineapple can do for you!
Sources:
All About Pineapple | Banana Link
It’s Pineapple Season, But Does Your Fruit Come From Hawaii? | Smithsonian Mag
Pineapple Screwdriver {Aloha Cocktail} | Miss in the Kitchen
