Pineapple Lemonade

This easy Pineapple Lemonade recipe is bright, refreshing and bursting with tropical flavor! This thirst-quenching drink combines sweet pineapple with tart lemon for a delightful twist on classic lemonade. Perfect for barbecues, summer parties, picnics and warm afternoons!

Love pineapple as much as we do? Try these pineapple favorites: Pineapple Mango Salsa, Pineapple Cucumber Salad and these Pineapple Pinwheel Cookies!

Pineapple Lemonade Recipe

This quick and easy Pineapple Lemonade recipe is simple, refreshing and packed with bright citrus and tropical pineapple flavor. It’s easy to make by the pitcher and truly perfect for summer pool parties, BBQs and celebrations. The sweet pineapple perfectly balances the tart lemon perfectly creating a sweet-tart drink that is ideal for warm weather or whenever tasty refreshment is needed.

This thirst-quenching favorite is made with pineapple (frozen, fresh or canned pineapple can be used), simple syrup (just water and sugar!) and lemon juice. Serve it ice cold at summer barbecues, pool parties, picnics or any time you need a refreshing drink the whole family can enjoy.

Using Pineapple Juice

This recipe can also be made with pineapple juice! Swap in 1 to 2 cups of canned or fresh pineapple juice in place of the pineapple in this recipe. This eliminates the blender and straining which makes for an easier recipe but the flavor isn’t ‘quite’ as good. Sometimes the pineapple juice in the can imparts a metallic flavor but can definitely be used in a pinch.

Why You’ll Love This Lemonade

This Pineapple Lemonade drink is easy to prepare and so much more flavorful than anything store-bought. It can be made ahead of time and adjusted to suit your preferred level of sweetness as well. Here’s why we love it so much:

• Sweet and Tangy: Pineapple adds natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with tart lemon.
• Easy to Make: A blender does most of the work, making this a simple drink to prepare by the pitcher.
• Perfect for Entertaining: The bright color and fresh fruit garnishes make it a fun addition to parties, cookouts and celebrations.
• Easy to Customize: Adjust the simple syrup, water and ice to make the lemonade as sweet, tart or strong as you like.

Pineapple Lemonade Ingredients

Accessible ingredients make this party drink perfect for any occasion. Here’s all you’ll need:

How To Make Pineapple Lemonade

This recipe for pineapple lemonade starts with an easy homemade simple syrup before the pineapple and lemon juice are blended together. Straining the mixture creates a smoother drink, but you can leave the pulp in if you prefer a little more texture.

Let’s take a quick look at how to make these cookies and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Prepare the simple syrup.

1. Combine one cup of water and one cup of granulated sugar in a small saucepan.
2. Heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Assembly

3. Add the pineapple and lemon juice to the blender.
4. Blend for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the pineapple is completely broken down. Add an additional cup of water if you are using frozen pineapple.
5. Pour the blended pineapple mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher.
6. Stir in the cooled simple syrup.
7. Add remaining water and the ice. Taste and adjust the sweetness or water as needed.

Storage Information

• Refrigerator: Store leftover pineapple lemonade in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Gently shake or stir well before serving again because some natural separation may occur as it sits. Note: For the best flavor and consistency, store the lemonade without ice and add ice to individual glasses just before serving. This prevents the drink from becoming diluted in the refrigerator.
• Make In Advance: Pineapple Lemonade can be prepared up to one day in advance. Make the recipe as directed, refrigerate it without the ice and add fresh fruit garnishes shortly before serving.
• Freezer: To freeze, pour the lemonade into freezer-safe containers, leaving space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to two months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Stir well before serving. You can also freeze the lemonade in ice cube trays and add the cubes to glasses without diluting the drink.

Variations To Try

• Sparkling Pineapple Lemonade: Replace some of the water with chilled sparkling water, club soda or lemon-flavored sparkling water. Add the carbonation just before serving so it stays bubbly.
• Strawberry Pineapple Lemonade: Blend one to two cups of fresh or frozen strawberries with the pineapple and lemon juice. Strain the mixture for a smooth lemonade or leave the pulp for a thicker drink.
• Pineapple Limeade: Replace some or all of the lemon juice with freshly squeezed lime juice. The lime adds a slightly different citrus flavor that pairs especially well with pineapple.
• Mint Pineapple Lemonade: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the pitcher and allow the lemonade to chill for about 30 minutes before serving. Lightly muddle the mint first for a stronger flavor.
• Watermelon Pineapple Lemonade: Blend seedless watermelon chunks with the pineapple and lemon juice. Reduce the added water as needed because watermelon contains a significant amount of liquid.
• Frozen Pineapple Lemonade: Blend the finished lemonade with additional ice or frozen pineapple until thick and slushy. Serve immediately with a straw and fresh fruit garnish.

Can I use canned pineapple?

Yes. Canned pineapple works well in this recipe for pineapple lemonade. Drain the pineapple before measuring so the amount of liquid in the recipe remains balanced. Pineapple canned in juice is preferable to pineapple packed in heavy syrup.

Can I use frozen pineapple?

Yes. Frozen pineapple makes the mixture thicker, so add an additional cup of water when blending. You may also need to adjust the final amount of water depending on your preferred consistency.

Do I have to strain the pineapple mixture?

Straining is optional. It removes the frothy pulp and gives the lemonade a smoother consistency. Leave the pulp in if you prefer a thicker drink with more texture.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used for convenience. Taste the lemonade before serving and adjust the sweetness as needed because bottled lemon juice can be more concentrated or acidic.

Can I make this recipe less sweet?

Yes. Add the simple syrup gradually instead of pouring it all in at once. Start with half, taste the lemonade and continue adding syrup until it is sweet enough for you.

Why does my lemonade separate?

This separation is natural and due to the fact that you are using real fruit in the recipe. Fixing this is as simple as gently shaking or stirring the lemonade.

How many lemons do I need for one cup of juice?

The exact amount depends on the size and juiciness of the lemons, but you will generally need about five to seven medium lemons. Roll each lemon firmly on the counter before juicing to help release more juice.

Trish’s Tips

• Let the simple syrup cool before adding it to the pitcher so it does not melt the ice too quickly.
• Adjust the amount of simple syrup to match the sweetness of your pineapple. Very ripe pineapple may require less added sugar.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer for the smoothest lemonade. Pressing too firmly on the pulp may push more solids into the pitcher.
• Chill the water, pineapple and lemon juice before assembling the drink to keep it colder for longer.
• Add ice to individual glasses instead of the pitcher when making the lemonade in advance.
• Freeze leftover lemonade in ice cube trays to use in future glasses of lemonade, iced tea or fruit punch.

More Refreshing Summer Drinks

1. Strawberry Lemonade
2. Watermelon Lemonade
3. Cherry Limeade
4. Peach Iced Tea
5. Watermelon Slushie