Pineapple Express Recipe
pineapple simple syrup, fresh lemon, sparkling water
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Ingredients
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Pineapple Simple Syrup
Cocktail / Sparkling Beverage
Method
Pineapple Simple Syrup
- 1
Make pineapple syrup
Combine the coarsely chopped fresh pineapple, granulated sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Stir to combine.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes until the pineapple is soft and the liquid is fragrant and slightly thickened.
- 3
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the syrup steep for 15 minutes to extract more flavor.
- 4
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard or reserve the strained pineapple for another use (smoothies, yogurt, etc.).
- 5
If using, stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice to brighten the syrup. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled. Yields about 1 cup of syrup. Syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Assemble Pineapple Express
- 6
Fill a Collins glass or highball glass with ice (about 1 cup).
- 7
Add 2 tablespoons (about 1 oz) of the chilled pineapple simple syrup into the glass.
- 8
Add 3/4 ounce (0.75 oz) fresh lemon juice. If you prefer slightly sweeter, use up to 1 ounce lemon juice plus an additional 1/2 tsp syrup.
- 9
Gently stir to combine the syrup and lemon juice with the ice.
- 10
Top with 4 ounces chilled sparkling water. Stir once gently to integrate without losing too much fizz.
- 11
Garnish with a pineapple wedge or lemon wheel and an optional mint sprig. Serve immediately.
