Pineapple and cucumber juice

25.2.22 | Recipe by Renz
Pineapple and cucumber juice is a sweet and refreshing juice combo. It's just the thing to cool you off on a sticky summer's day. Plus, it’s a delicious way to get some extra fruit and veg into your diet.


A full glass of pineapple and cucumber juice over ice, with strips of cucumber.

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I love fresh juice and everything about pineapple and cucumber juice is appealing when it’s hot outside. The juice is an attractive vibrant color, and the cucumber's fresh taste perfectly offsets the natural sweetness of the pineapple.

If you’re a busy parent struggling to get your kids to eat enough in the summer when they’d rather be outside playing, this juice is a great way to ensure they get their vitamins! It’s so tasty; you won’t have any arguments, either.

This is a lovely pick me up with breakfast or help you cool off as the day wears on and some people would also use this combination as a detox juice. I like to make a pitcher of it and keep it in the fridge, ready whenever anyone wants it.

If you’re looking for more tasty juice recipes for those hot summer days, be sure to check out this refreshing Caribbean punch with orange and mint.



What are the health benefits of pineapple and cucumber juice?


Pineapple and cucumber juice is not only delicious, but it’s also good for you, too!

Cucumbers and pineapples are both low in calories and a good source of nutrients that will help to keep you healthy:

  • Vitamin C (which helps to maintain a healthy immune system and aids the absorption of iron).
  • Manganese (supports healthy metabolism and has antioxidant properties which are essential in disease prevention).
  • Vitamin K (ensures that blood clots as it should and keeps your bones healthy).
  • Vitamin A (necessary in many crucial functions in the body, like maintaining your vision and ensuring that organs like your heart, lungs, and kidneys work as they should).

If you like to work out, there is some evidence to suggest that pineapple may help to speed your recovery time.

Pineapple contains bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps your muscles recover if they have become damaged during strenuous exercise. Plus, cucumber is incredibly hydrating, which is good news if you’ve just got a sweat on!

This juice is also great for your digestion. It’s a good source of fiber, which ensures that your digestive system functions as it should. And the bromelain in the pineapple is an enzyme that helps break down proteins, particularly those found in meats, making them easier to digest.

Ingredients


To make this homemade juice recipe, you will need:

A fresh pineapple (please see notes below on how to cut pineapple if you aren’t sure).
A cucumber.
A knob of fresh ginger.
Sugar,
to sweeten.

Equipment
(this links is an affiliate links)
Juicer



Picture of the ingredients for making cucumber, pineapple and ginger juice.


How to cut a pineapple


To cut up your pineapple, you will need a sharp chef's knife or serrated knife, as this will go through the flesh more easily and makes it less likely that you will have a pineapple-related mishap! You’ll also need a chopping board.

  • Begin by cutting off the spiky green top, known as the crown, and the bottom of the pineapple. If you keep hold of the crown, you can plant it and grow another pineapple!
  • Next, stand the pineapple up on the chopping board and cut it straight down the middle.
  • Remove the core from each half of the pineapple by cutting diagonally towards the core.
  • Now, cut your pineapple halves in half again, so you have four quarters. Cut each quarter into small slices, stopping just before reaching the skin.
  • Finally, cut the rind off of each pineapple quarter so that you are left with chunks.

Preparation


To prepare your pineapple and cucumber juice, begin by peeling and chopping up the pineapple as in the instructions above.

Next, peel the ginger using either a small sharp knife or a vegetable peeler and cut your cucumber into chunks (there’s no need to peel the cucumber - the skin is a good source of nutrients).

Now, put the ginger, pineapple, and cucumber through a juicer and mix all of the juices in a jug.

Taste and add sugar if you think it’s needed, and serve over ice.


Sliced up pineapple, cucumber, on a brown cutting board,


Substitutions


If you make any substitutions for this recipe, you will find that it alters the taste, of course, but you’ll still have a delicious and refreshing drink!

Some substitutions you could try are:
  • Switching pineapple for oranges. Try to choose oranges that are a bit tart, to replicate the pineapple flavor better.
  • Switching pineapple for green apples. Like oranges, green apples can be a little tart which is terrific when combined with cucumber juice.
  • Switching the cucumber for celery or zucchini.
  • Leaving out the ginger. The ginger adds a fresh and fiery kick to the juice, but if you don’t like it, you can leave it out, and the combination of pineapple and cucumber will be delicious.
  • Using frozen pineapple. If that is what you have, then you will need to defrost it and also use some liquid to get it to blend together. Coconut water is a great option.

What if I don't have a juicer?


Don't be discouraged if you don't have a juicer on hand. You can also make this refreshing drink in your blender.

Cut up your pineapple, ginger, and cucumber as instructed. Add some coconut water to your blender to about 1/4 way up and blend. Depending on how ripe your pineapple is will determine the water content and how much it will spring its own juices.

If the mix is still thick, add more coconut water until you get the consistency you prefer.

Strain the mixture and enjoy.

How to serve pineapple and cucumber juice


I would recommend serving pineapple and cucumber juice over ice in a tall glass with a pineapple wedge on the side and thin cucumber slices.

You can even garnish with some fresh mint leaves. Or go even further and mull the mint in the glass then pour the drink and have a pineapple cucumber mint juice.

If you are in the mood for an alcoholic drink, you can also try serving the juice with rum. The dark, sweet flavors in the rum work well with pineapple for a refreshing cocktail.




Storing


You can make this juice ahead of time, but I wouldn’t recommend storing it for longer than five days in the fridge.

If you’re storing it in the fridge, keep it in an airtight container like a jug with a well-fitted lid to maximize freshness.

More pineapple recipes


I don’t know about you, but I love pineapple! It’s a key ingredient in a lot of my favorite Caribbean recipes.

These easy pineapple bars are a tasty and satisfying treat, or if you’re looking for something a little healthier, definitely try this pineapple chow - the epitome of Trinbagonian snack food.


    
Close up picture of a glass of pineapple and cucumber juice with strips of cucumber on top for garnish.



More pineapple drinks


Pineapple is amazing in drinks because of its slightly tart and delightfully sweet flavor.

Some of my favorite drinks with pineapple are:












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