The only thing I looked forward to more… than the amazing food on a Sunday in the Caribbean, is the variety of fruit juices you’d normally be served to wash it all down. Usually the fruit in ‘season’ would be used, so you’d get sour sop, citrus, passion fruit, mango, mauby and a host of others. But freshly made pineapple juice served with ice was always my favorite. And if there was any juice left back, we would pour it into ice trays to be enjoyed as frozen treats (do you remember ice-blocks?).

You’ll Need…

1 Large Ripe Pineapple
3/4 cup sugar (I used granulated)
5 cups water
3 slices ginger
2 dash Angostura Bitters

It’s very important that you wash the pineapple thoroughly as we’ll be using the skin (and core) in making this juice, as the elders would have done it. Best case scenario you can get pineapples from a source you know where they did not use chemical sprays on them. Ours usually came from our backyard so we didn’t have to worry about that.

Remove the outer skin (watch How To Peel And Core A Pineapple) of the washed pineapple and then the core. Place the skin and core in a pot with the water, sugar and ginger and bring to a boil.

As it comes to a boil, cut the pineapple into 3/4 inch pieces to make it easier for your blender to work it.

When the water comes to a boil, reduce it to a simmer and allow it to go for 25-30 minutes. We’re making a fortified syrup to use in blending the chunks of pineapple in making the juice. Turn of the stove and allow the liquid to cool before proceeding.

Now add the chunks of pineapple and strain in the liquid into your blender and puree until smooth (1-2 mins). Discard the skin, core and ginger slices.

You’re almost done. All you have to do now is strain the puree into a container. You may need to use a spoon or spatula in the strainer to help it all go down – discard the remaining pulp (or use for muffins). Skim off the excess froth, add the bitters and you can add a dash of vanilla or almond extract if you wish.

Chill in the fridge or serve immediately with ice (crushed works best) and if you’re so inclined, add a bit of dark rum for the grown folks. A great way to put an entire pineapple to use, especially on those hot summer days when you want a tall glass of refreshing juice. BTW for added flavor, you can add the juice of a lime.

Please note that if you get a really ripe/sweet pineapple you may not need to use any sugar in the recipe. That said, taste to see if it’s sweet enough to your liking and adjust accordingly.

Do you own a copy of my cookbook ?- The Vibrant Caribbean Pot 100 Traditional And Fusion recipes Vol 2

Recipe Card

A pitcher and 2 glasses of pineapple juice on a table with a frond of a pineapple behind

Print Recipe

Traditional Caribbean Pineapple Juice

Recipe Keys: Cold Dairy Free Fruit Juice

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 45 mins

Diet:

G Gluten-Free V Vegetarian

Description

Learn to make the best pineapple juice the Caribbean way. It uses fresh pineapple skins, core, and warming spices to create a refreshing homemade juice rich in enzymes and antioxidants, perfect for digestion, immunity, and staying cool.

Ingredients

1 large ripe pineapple
³⁄₄ cup granulated sugar
5 cups water
3 slices ginger
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Instructions

Video

Wash the pineapple thoroughly. Remove the skin and core, and set aside the flesh.
In a large pot, combine the pineapple skin and core with water, sugar, and ginger slices. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.

Cut the reserved pineapple flesh into chunks. In a blender, combine the pineapple chunks with the cooled liquid (strain out and discard the skins, core, and ginger slices). Blend until smooth.

Strain the blended mixture to remove any pulp.

Stir in Angostura bitters. Chill before serving over ice.

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Drinks

Natural Caribbean Orange Pineapple Juice.

July 16, 2017July 16, 2017Leave a Comment

As we continue with the refreshing summer drinks series, I thought I’d share a drink my mom would make for us on those hot weekend days when we were home from school. She would boil the skin of the pineapple (after it was washed) in water, then strain and use that liquid as the base of the drink. In those days the oranges and pineapple came from our backyard and the honey was from wild honey my dad would harvest in old Immortelle tress scattered though the cocoa and coffee estates in my village.

You’ll Need…

1 large pineapple (ripe)
5-7 oranges
1 lime
2 tablespoons honey (to your liking)
4-6 drops Angostura Bitters
1 cup water
2-4 cups carbonated water

IMPORTANT! In my version I won’t be using the skin of this pineapple as our mom would normally do, as I’m not sure if where it was grown if it was sprayed with insecticide while still on the plant. With the texture of the pineapple skin, it would be impossible to wash it all out if it was.

Remove the skin off the pineapple and cut into cubes to help it break down easier in your blender. It’s ok to include the core. Put the cubes in the blender with the water and puree until smooth.

Now juice the orange and lime into the jug you’ll be serving the juice in.

Using a fine strainer, strain the pineapple juice into the jug. You may need to help it through with a spoon. Discard the pulp.. or use it in making muffins.

Skim off any foam (or wait for it to settle), then go in with the honey and bitters and stir well. Finally go in with the carbonated water and stir gently so we don’t loose too much of the bubbles.

Keeping in mind that your pineapple and/or oranges may not be as sweet as the ones I used, so do taste and add a bit more honey if needed. If it’s a bit tart add a pinch of salt. Serve with ice cubes (crushed is best) or chill in the fridge before serving (stir before serving as it may settle). I used a raw organic honey, but you’re free to use whatever sweetener you have/like. Toss in 1/2 cup (or more) of coconut rum (Malibu comes to mind) if making this for grown folks.

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Side Dishes Vegetarian

A Spicy Pineapple Salad Inspired by Mangoes.

May 27, 2025January 21, 201016 Comments

trinidad pineapple salad One of the things you’d look forward to as a child on the islands is mango season. This is the time of the year when mangoes are mature and starts to ripe on the trees. If you had patience you’d wait for a strong gust of wind to blow the ripe mangoes to the ground or if patience was not your strong suit you’d get a long stick or bamboo rod and gently tap on them so they’d fall. If all failed, you could always get a small rock or stick and toss it at the mangoes. One way or the other you were going to enjoy some of those juicy ripe mangoes.

This was also the season for making mango chow. Slices of green (but half-ripe) mangoes with crushed (or sliced) hot peppers, garlic, shado beni, salt and fresh lime juice. When we moved to Canada sourcing mangoes was not an easy chore, so we had to find another fruit to make this fiery treat (green apples also works great). Not only could we not get mangoes, the other key ingredient which is shado beni was not easy to find either.

So my aunt who I lived with at the time suggested we use pineapple (something she had enjoyed on the islands on one of her trips back), thus started this pineapple salad or chow. And since we couldn’t get fresh shado beni, we started using cilantro. To Trinbagonians this will be considered a form of “chow”, but to others it’ll be a spicy pineapple salad.

This is so easy and full of wonderful flavour, you’ll wonder why you haven’t had it yet.

You’ll need…

1 ripe pineapple (cubed)
1/4 teaspoon salt
fresh cracked black pepper
1 clove garlic sliced thin
juice of 1 lime or lemon
3 tablespoon cilantro
1 small red onion sliced (optional)
1/2 habanero pepper sliced thin (scotch bonnet or any pepper with some heat)

* if you can get shado beni, be sure to use that instead of the cilantro for a true “chow” taste. However if you want to enjoy it as a mild salad, use the cilantro.

* In most grocery stores you can get the fresh pineapple already peeled and cored (usually packed in a plastic container). If you can’t, I’ve created a short video below showing how it’s done. If all fails I guess you can use a can of pineapple chunks. However I can’t promise that the results would be the same as using fresh pineapple.

Basically all you’re doing in combining all the ingredients is a large bowl, mix thoroughly and allow to marinate in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

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I told you it was simple! Give it a try, it’s a great way to spice things up a bit with some pineapple. Here’s the short video showing how to peel and remove the core from a ripe pineapple.