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Guarapo de Piña (Fermented Pineapple Juice)

Guarapo de Piña (Fermented Pineapple Juice)

This fizzy, lightly tart pineapple drink is made from fermenting pineapple peel and core to produce a bright, fruity, slightly vinegar-like refresher with gentle natural carbonation. It ferments starting overnight and continues refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, then is sweetened and served over ice, making it a refreshing no-cook beverage or party pitcher.
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Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes
Keyword: beverage, fermented, no-cook, zero-waste

Equipment

  • pitcher or large glass jar
  • cheesecloth or cotton kitchen towel
  • fine-mesh strainer
  • wooden spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 pineapple peel (rind) and core; plus pineapple for serving (see notes)
  • 2 quarts drinking water
  • 1 cup sugar or brown sugar, or equivalent sweetener

Instructions

  1. Wash the pineapple rind and core under running water. Place the peel and core in a pitcher or large glass jar large enough to hold the rind and 2 quarts drinking water, then add the 2 quarts of water.
  2. Cover the pitcher or jar with cheesecloth or a clean cotton kitchen towel and leave it at room temperature overnight; you should see tiny bubbles on the surface.
  3. Refrigerate the covered container for 3 to 4 days, or until you notice white foam and bubbles stuck to the sides; the liquid should smell fruity and a bit like pineapple vinegar but not foul.
  4. Strain the liquid to discard solids and pour the strained liquid into a clean pitcher. Add 1 cups sugar (or brown sugar or an equivalent sweetener) to taste and stir with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Serve with ice and optional frozen pineapple cubes.

Notes

Use clean equipment and rinse the pineapple rind well to reduce surface contaminants. If the ferment develops an off or rotten smell or visible mold, discard it. The recipe provides 1 cups sugar to sweeten, but you can adjust sweetener to taste and garnish with fresh pineapple if desired.