Pineapple Coconut Water

Morning guys! So I was at my gym last Tuesday, totally dying after this intense HIIT session, when my trainer handed me this amazing drink. I was like “what IS this???” Turns out it was homemade Pineapple Coconut Water! Changed my hydration game forever. Asked him for the recipe right away and been making it nonstop since. Today I’m sharing my take on it – way better than anything store-bought!

Quick Stats

• Prep Time: 8 minutes
• Cook Time: None!
• Total Time: 8 minutes
• Servings: 3-4
• Calories: About 110 per serving
• Difficulty: Super easy

Why This Pineapple Coconut Water Is My New Obsession

First time I tried Pineapple Coconut Water was actually on vacation in Hawaii a few years back. Local guy was selling it on the beach and omg, life-changing! But when I got home and tried finding something similar, everything tasted artificial and wayyy too sweet.

Making it yourself is a total game-changer. The flavor is incredible – sweet but not too sweet, refreshing, and has this tropical vibe that just makes you feel good. Plus it’s got electrolytes naturally so it’s perfect after a workout or when you’ve been out in the sun too long.

My kids are obsessed w/ it too which is awesome cuz they’re getting actual nutrients instead of those sugary juice boxes. My 7-yr-old calls it “vacation juice” and asks for it almost every day now!

And tbh the cost difference is huge. Those fancy Vita Coconut Water Pineapple bottles are like $4-5 each! Making a big batch at home costs maybe $6-7 total and tastes 10x better. No brainer.

What You’ll Need

For the basic Pineapple Coconut Water recipe:

• 3 cups coconut water (I usually grab whatever’s on sale, but Harmless Harvest is my fav when I’m splurging)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks (about 1/4-1/3 of a whole pineapple)
• Juice from 1/2 lime (trust me on this one!)
• Tiny pinch of sea salt (optional but really brings out the flavors)
• 1 tbsp honey or agave (totally optional, I skip this most times)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (if you’re feeling fancy)

Quick tip on pineapples – smell the bottom! If it smells sweet and tropical, it’s ripe. If no smell, leave it on counter for couple more days. I learned this trick from my mother-in-law who somehow always picks perfect fruit.

For coconut water, I’ve tried like every brand out there. The refrigerated ones usually taste better than shelf-stable, but they’re pricier. If you can find young coconuts and crack em open yourself, that’s the absolute BEST option.

Let’s Make Some Pineapple Coconut Water!

Step 1: Prep Your Pineapple

Getting that pineapple ready is probably the most time-consuming part. Cut off the top and bottom, then stand it up and slice off the outer skin in strips. Try to get all those little “eyes” out – they’re bitter! Then slice around the core and chop into chunks.

Side note – I once tried using one of those pineapple corer tools and ended up with pineapple juice ALL over my new white shirt. Lesson learned! Just use a good knife lol.

Step 2: Blend It Up

This is where people sometimes overthink things. You got options:

Option 1 (EASY): Just toss your pineapple chunks into a pitcher with the coconut water, squeeze in the lime, add the pinch of salt if using, and let it sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours. The flavors infuse and you get a lighter, more refreshing drink with pieces of pineapple to munch on.

Option 2 (SMOOTH): Put everything in a blender and pulse just a few times. This gives you a slightly pulpy texture but more pineapple flavor throughout.

Option 3 (FANCY): Blend everything completely smooth, then strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. This gives you the most elegant version but tbh I rarely bother with this unless I’m trying to impress someone!

I usually go with option 2 because I’m all about that maximum flavor with minimum effort!

Step 3: Chill & Serve

Pour your Pineapple Coconut Water into a pitcher with lots of ice. If you want it extra cold, freeze some pineapple chunks and use those instead of ice cubes – they won’t water it down as they melt!

Sometimes I add some sliced lime wheels or mint leaves if I’m serving it to guests. Makes it look all fancy with minimal effort. But honestly it tastes amazing just straight up cold from the fridge too.

Variations Worth Trying

Over the past year, I’ve experimented with tons of different versions of Pineapple Coconut Water. Here are some of my faves:

• Spicy Kick: Add a tiny slice of jalapeño to the blender. Sounds weird but it’s AMAZING, especially if you like that sweet-heat combo.
• Pineapple Spears in Coconut Water: When I’m feeling super lazy, I just cut pineapple into spears and let them hang out in a pitcher of coconut water in the fridge. By the next day, it’s perfectly infused.
• Frozen Version: Use frozen pineapple chunks and less ice for a slushy consistency. Perfect for super hot days.
• Protein Recovery: After really intense workouts, I sometimes add a small scoop of vanilla protein powder. Not as clean-tasting but super functional!
• Adult Version: For weekend barbecues, a splash of white rum turns this into the most refreshing cocktail ever. Just sayin!

My brother-in-law adds strawberries to his version which gives it this gorgeous pink color. Not traditional but definitely worth trying if you’ve got berries on hand!

How To Store It (If It Lasts That Long!)

In my house, a batch of Pineapple Coconut Water rarely makes it to the next day! But when I make extra, I’ve found it keeps well in a glass container with a tight lid for about 2-3 days in the fridge.

Word of caution – I once made a huge batch for a picnic, put it in a plastic container, and left it in a hot car for an hour. BIG mistake. The heat started a fermentation process and by the time we opened it… whew! Not pleasant. So always keep it cold!

The drink will naturally separate a bit as it sits – just give it a quick stir or shake before serving. If it starts to taste slightly fermented or bubbled at all, that’s your sign to toss it and make a fresh batch.

FAQ – Everything You Wanted To Know About Pineapple Coconut Water

Is coconut water with pineapple good for you?

So this combo is actually pretty awesome for your health! Coconut water is loaded with potassium and electrolytes that help with hydration. When you add pineapple, you’re getting vitamin C, manganese, and this enzyme called bromelain that helps with inflammation and digestion.

I started drinking this regularly last summer and noticed I actually recovered faster after my workouts. My skin seemed better too, probably from being properly hydrated for once! It’s definitely way healthier than soda or those artificial sports drinks.

What does pineapple water do to your body?

Well, I’m not a doctor (obviously!) but from what I’ve read and experienced, pineapple water is seriously good stuff. The bromelain in pineapples can help reduce swelling and inflammation. I have an old knee injury that acts up sometimes, and honestly notice a difference when I’m drinking this regularly.

Pineapple is also supposed to help with digestion and might even help fight off colds thanks to all that vitamin C. Plus it just makes plain water taste amazing which means you’ll drink more and stay hydrated. Win-win!

How do you make pineapple coconut water?

Honestly it’s super simple! Basic version is just blend fresh pineapple chunks with coconut water, add a squeeze of lime if you want, and chill it. You can get fancy with straining or additional ingredients, but the basic recipe is foolproof. I outlined the whole process above with a few different methods depending how smooth you want it.

Can I drink coconut water every day?

Generally yeah! I’ve been drinking it pretty much daily for months with no issues. But full disclosure – it does contain natural sugars and potassium, so if you have certain health conditions like kidney problems or diabetes, maybe check with your doctor.

For most people though, it’s a great daily drink, especially if it’s replacing less healthy options like soda. Just remember it does have calories – about 45-60 per cup depending on the brand – so don’t go completely crazy with it if you’re watching your calorie intake.

What organ is coconut water good for?

Coconut water is especially beneficial for your kidneys and heart! The potassium helps balance sodium levels which supports healthy blood pressure. It’s also super hydrating which helps your kidneys filter waste more efficiently.

My aunt’s doctor actually recommended she drink coconut water to help with her mild kidney issues. And my dad’s cardiologist mentioned it as a good option for heart health because of the potassium-sodium balance. Just don’t go overboard – moderation with everything, right?

Final Thoughts on Pineapple Coconut Water

Last month I brought a big pitcher of this to our neighborhood block party. It was like 95 degrees out and everyone was complaining about the heat. This disappeared in like 20 minutes! Even had a couple neighbors texting me later asking for the recipe.

There’s something so satisfying about making something this simple that tastes so good and is actually good FOR you too. Plus once you find a good system for cutting pineapples quickly, the whole thing takes less than 10 minutes to make.

If you try this Pineapple Coconut Water recipe, let me know what you think! I’m always looking for new variation ideas or tips to make it even better. Stay hydrated friends!

P.S. Anyone else notice they sleep better when they drink this during the day? Or is that just me? Drop a comment if you’ve had the same experience!