Fresh pineapple juice is one of my favorite tropical drinks to make at home. It is naturally sweet, incredibly refreshing, and tastes so much better than store-bought juice. Best of all, you don't need a juicer. With just a high-speed blender and a cheesecloth, you can make this easy pineapple juice recipe in about 10 minutes.
If you love making fresh fruit drinks at home, be sure to browse all of my juice recipes. You might also enjoy my green juice recipe with pineapple, which is packed with fresh greens and tropical flavor.
Table of contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No juicer required.
- Naturally sweet and refreshing.
- Made with just four simple ingredients.
- Easy to adjust the sweetness to your taste.
- Ready in about 10 minutes.
- Perfect for breakfast, hot summer days, or entertaining guests.
How to Choose a Ripe Pineapple
The sweeter your pineapple, the better your juice will taste.
Look for a pineapple that feels heavy for its size with golden-yellow skin around the base. It should smell sweet at the bottom. If your pineapple is already very sweet, you can even skip the honey or maple syrup.
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
Ingredient Notes
- Pineapple: Fresh, ripe pineapple gives the sweetest juice.
- Honey or maple syrup: I like adding a little extra sweetness, but you can leave it out entirely if your pineapple is naturally sweet.
- Salt: Just a tiny pinch helps balance the sweetness and enhances the pineapple flavor.
Equipment Needed
- High-speed blender (I use a Vitamix)
- Cheesecloth
- Large bowl
- Pitcher
How to Make Pineapple Juice Without a Juicer
1. Blend everything together
Cut the pineapple into small chunks and juice the lemon.
Add the pineapple, lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), and salt to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain the juice
Place a cheesecloth over a large bowl and pour the blended pineapple mixture onto the cloth.
Gather the edges of the cheesecloth together and twist to squeeze out the juice. Squeeze gently if you prefer less pulp, or squeeze firmly for a slightly thicker juice.
Discard the remaining pulp.
3. Chill and serve
Pour the juice into a pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- The cheesecloth determines how much pulp ends up in your juice. A tighter weave produces a smoother drink.
- Don't squeeze too hard if you prefer a smoother pineapple juice with very little pulp.
- Taste before adding sweetener. A perfectly ripe pineapple may not need any honey or maple syrup.
- Don't skip the lemon. It brightens the flavor without making the juice taste sour.
- Serve chilled for the most refreshing flavor.
If you enjoy refreshing homemade fruit drinks, you'll also love my watermelon juice and papaya juice recipes.
Substitutions
- Replace the honey with maple syrup to keep this recipe vegan.
- Use lime instead of lemon for a slightly different citrus flavor.
- Skip the sweetener entirely if your pineapple is already sweet enough.
- Leave out the salt if preferred, although I find it helps balance the sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! A high-speed blender works incredibly well. Simply blend the pineapple until smooth, then strain it through a cheesecloth to separate the juice from the pulp.
No. If you enjoy thicker juice with extra fiber, you can drink it straight from the blender without straining.
Store it in an airtight pitcher or jar in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Natural separation is normal, so simply give it a good shake before serving.
Yes. Freeze it in ice cube trays and use the cubes in smoothies or thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.
Looking for another tropical drink? My rambutan juice is another refreshing recipe that's surprisingly easy to make.
Storage
Store homemade pineapple juice in a sealed pitcher or glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Since this juice contains no preservatives, it tastes best when enjoyed fresh. Shake or stir before serving if the juice has naturally separated.
If you enjoy making healthy drinks ahead of time, you might also like my homemade jamu juice, which stores well in the fridge for several days.
More recipes
If you liked this recipe you might also enjoy this pineapple and papaya sorbet or this orange ginger carrot juice.
Pineapple Juice Without a Juicer
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple whole
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup optional
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Blend everything together: Cut the pineapple into small chunks and juice the lemon. Add the pineapple, lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), and salt to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the juice: Place a cheesecloth over a large bowl and pour the blended pineapple mixture onto the cloth. Gather the edges of the cheesecloth together and twist to squeeze out the juice. Squeeze gently if you prefer less pulp, or squeeze firmly for a slightly thicker juice. Discard the remaining pulp.
- Chill and serve: Pour the juice into a pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice and enjoy.
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