Summertime is almost here, and as the sun starts to sizzle, there's no better way to cool off than with a deliciously refreshing drink! Say hello to the pineapple slushie - a tropical treat that'll have you mentally lounging on a beautiful island in no time!
All you need are three simple ingredients, a blender, and just 10 minutes of your time to whip up this fruity concoction. So sit back, sip away and enjoy your sweet escape to paradise!
For another refreshing summer drink, say Aloha! to our dreamy coconut milkshake!
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- Pineapple is a good source of vitamin C and contains enzymes that can aid digestion. You can make this with zero added sugars by leaving out the honey.
- Pineapple has a sweet and tangy tropical flavour that makes this the ultimate refresher on a hot summer day.
- It's quick and easy to make.
- A pineapple slush drink is easy to customise by adding other fruits, such as strawberries, or tropical fruits like mango and banana. Or you can make an adult version by adding a shot of rum.
- Pineapple slushies are typically low in calories, making them a great option for people who are watching their weight or trying to maintain a healthy diet.
Key ingredient notes and substitutions
**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the complete list of ingredients.
Pineapple - Fresh is best. You can use frozen pineapple, but be aware that it may contain slightly more water (from being frozen) and you should consider starting off with slightly less ice at first, then adjust accordingly.
Another reason to avoid frozen pineapple is that it's often not as sweet as a fresh, ripe pineapple and it also lacks in those bright, yellow tones. See further down on how to pick the right pineapple at the store.
Ice - Well, not much to say about ice apart from the blender you will use to chop the ice with. Please ensure you have a blender that's strong and powerful enough to break up ice.
Perhaps look at the manual before attempting it. It would be a shame to break an expensive blender trying to make a slushie! Some people recommend a Ninja blender, so if you have one of them you're probably ok! We just use a regular blender.
Honey - You may not need honey if the pineapple you're using is super sweet already. Use your judgement and adjust the honey according to your taste. You can also use maple syrup, coconut sugar, castor sugar or a powdered sweetener.
How to tell if a pineapple is ripe
- The biggest tell-tale sign is to smell it. Ripe pineapples have a sweet, fruity aroma at the stem end. If the pineapple has no scent it may not be ripe yet. On the other end of the spectrum, if it smells musty, stay clear, it might be going off.
- Pineapples that are ripe are typically yellow or golden in colour, although some varieties may be more greenish, even when ripe. Avoid pineapples that are mostly green, as they may not be ripe yet.
- The skin of a ripe pineapple should be firm, but not too hard, or too soft. Press gently on the skin to see if it gives a little.
- The leaves at the top of the pineapple should be green and healthy-looking. If they are brown or withered, it may indicate that the pineapple has been stored for too long. There is a school of thought that if you can easily pick one of the leaves (fronds), then the pineapple is ripe - apparently this is a myth, so pay attention to the other visual clues instead.
- Lastly, the weight. A ripe pineapple should feel heavy for its size, indicating that it will be a juicy pineapple full of flavour.
How to ripen a pineapple
Here's another school of thought, apparently pineapples don't ripen much after they have been picked. However, they do ripen somewhat and you can help speed this along by placing the pineapple in a brown paper bag along with an apple or banana. These two fruits contain ethylene that helps fruit ripen.
In all honestly, who really has brown paper bags lying around at home? So, ideally, just pick the right pineapple at the store from the outset.
How to make this slushie
Start by peeling the pineapple and cutting it into cubes. Measure out a cup of pineapple and add it to the blender.
Whizz the pineapple until it's mostly a mush, about 20 seconds.
Add the ice and whizz until the ice has broken up into a rough slush, but not so fine that you lose that slushy texture.
Taste for sweetness and add the honey according to taste, if needed.
Top tips
- You can adjust the quantity of pineapple to as much pineapple slush you need. Use a 2:1 ratio of pineapple to water. For instance, for a larger quantity, you can use 5 cups of pineapple to 2.5 cups of ice. Adjust the sweetener, if using, accordingly.
- Put the glasses you will be using in the freezer for 30 minutes beforehand to help keep the slushies cold for longer.
- If you're worried about your blender, don't use too large ice cubes. I am a huge fan of those ice cube bags when it comes to making slushies. The cubes aren't too big, plus, if you need to make a large amount of ice they take up less space in the freezer because they can bend around things.
- Don't worry if you see the slushie separate after a few minutes of standing. The pineapple juice will eventually sink to the bottom, so just give it a quick stir.
Serving suggestions
- You can pour your cold pineapple slushie into mason jars, tumblers, high balls, hurricane glasses or even flutes if you want to be fancy!
- Add a thick straw.
- Add a cocktail umbrella.
- Stick some of the pineapple leaves into the drink (see feature photo of this post for what it looks like)
- Hook a quarter slice of pineapple over the rim of the glass - This only works on very thin glasses.
- Put a cherry on top.
Variations
Fruit variations:
- Pineapple and mango slushie: Fresh pineapple and mango chunks with ice, a splash of lime juice and a little bit of honey for sweetness - refreshing and delicious.
- Pineapple and coconut slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, coconut milk, ice and a little bit of honey - creamy, sweet, and satisfying.
- Pineapple and strawberry slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, frozen strawberries, ice and a splash of orange juice - sweet, tart and full of flavour.
- Pineapple and banana slushie: Pineapple chunks, frozen banana slices, ice and a little bit of honey - sweet, creamy and nutritious.
- Pineapple and watermelon slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, watermelon cubes, fresh mint, ice and a little bit of lime juice - hydrating, refreshing and perfect for hot summer days.
Alcoholic variations:
- Pineapple rum slush: Fresh pineapple chunks, rum, ice, lime juice and a little bit of honey - sweet, tropical, with a kick of rum.
- Pineapple tequila slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, tequila, ice, lime juice and a splash of orange liqueur - refreshing, tart and perfect for a summer party.
- Pineapple vodka slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, vodka, ice, lime juice and a little bit of honey - sweet, tangy and packs a punch.
- Pineapple margarita slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, tequila, ice, lime juice and a little bit of honey. Rim the glasses with salt - tart, refreshing and perfect for a hot day.
- Pineapple pina colada slushie: Fresh pineapple chunks, coconut milk, rum, ice and a little bit of honey. You can even make the ice with coconut water - creamy, tropical and perfect for sipping by the pool.
Storage
These slushies are best enjoyed straight after they were made to prevent the ice from melting.
More summertime recipes
Yuk sung - Chinese lettuce wraps
Firni - Fragrant, cold rice pudding
More drinks for any occasion
Recipe
Pineapple slushie
Equipment you may need
- 1 blender or food processer that can handle chopping ice
Ingredients
- 500 millilitre fresh pineapple chunks - 2 cups
- 250 millilitre ice - 1 cup
- 1-2 tablespoons honey (optional) - or any sweetener of your choice, if needed
Instructions
- Start by peeling the pineapple and cutting it into cubes. Measure out a cup of pineapple and add it to the blender. Tip: You can adjust the quantity of pineapple to as much pineapple slush you need. Use a 2:1 ratio of pineapple to water. For instance, for a larger quantity, you can use 5 cups of pineapple to 2.5 cups of ice. Adjust the sweetener, if using, accordingly.
- Whizz the pineapple until it's mostly a mush, about 20 seconds. Add the ice and whizz until the ice has broken up into a rough slush, but not so fine that there is no texture left to it.
- Taste for sweetness and add the honey according to taste. You can also use maple syrup, coconut sugar, castor sugar or a powdered sweetener.
- Pour into glasses and add a fun straw or a cocktail umbrella.
**Nutritional data disclaimer**
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.
Nutrition
For food safety advice, including guidance on food allergies
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