Citric Acid Free Pineapple Ginger Garden Cooler
Fresh pineapple brings a naturally sweet, tropical backbone to this garden-inspired drink, while grated ginger adds a bright, warming kick that makes every sip feel alive. Avoiding added citric acid — the kind that shows up as a preservative in bottled juices, sodas, and store-bought drink mixes — can make finding a refreshing beverage surprisingly tricky, but this one is built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients with nothing hidden in the label. The lime juice here is freshly squeezed, so you know exactly what you're getting, and the maple syrup keeps the sweetness clean and straightforward. Cucumber slices steep right in the pitcher, lending a cool, subtle earthiness that balances the pineapple's sweetness beautifully. Blending and straining the fruit base gives the finished drink a smooth, almost elegant texture — no chunks, no cloudiness, just a clean, jewel-toned pour. Top it off with sparkling water for a little effervescence, and you've got something that feels genuinely special without any of the ingredient anxiety.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 cups fresh pineapple chunks (about ½ medium pineapple), peeled and cored
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, plus more to taste
- ½ medium english cucumber, thinly sliced
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups sparkling water or still water, chilled
For serving
- ice cubes, for serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the pineapple chunks, cold water, grated ginger, lime juice, maple syrup, and mint leaves to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30–45 seconds.
- 2
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher and pour the blended mixture through it, pressing gently on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp.
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