Lemonade is a classic choice for a refreshing summer drink, but limeade is the citrus beverage that deserves just as much kudos in my opinion. The tartness and tanginess of fresh lime juice is quite intense, which means you don’t need to use very much to yield a good limeade. So, on it’s own, lime juice needs lots of sweetener. To counter this, instead of added white sugar, I prefer the more natural approach by mixing in freshly made pineapple juice. It’s super easy, and you don’t even need to buy a juicer.
While testing this limeade recipe, I really wanted to avoid white sugar and/or making simple syrup. Using honey was an obvious choice early on simply because there’s no need to cook it down. It’s already 20% water, says The Kitchn. Then recently, while at the grocery store, I walked into an aroma of some insanely aromatic and extremely ripe pineapples. Wanting to avoid making a “honey drink with a little lime”, I decided the juice from this pineapple needed to be extracted and put to good use.
Making fresh juice without a juicer
You don’t need to buy an expensive juicer to make pineapple juice (or any other fruit juice). Juicers are super expensive, bulky, and tedious. JInstead, simply cut the pineapple into chunks, pulse it in a food processor, and strain it through a fine mesh sieve into a larger bowl. Use a rubber spatula to push the pulp down and get the most juice out of it. Do make sure you’re sieve is a super fine grate. Some are looser than others, so choose the sieves with the smaller holes to catch more pulp. If you want pulp then add some if you wish.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 whole pineapple, to yield 2 cups fresh pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- Cut 1/2 pineapple into large chunks. Pulse them in a food processor until broken down to a “crushed pineapple” texture.
- Pour the crushed pineapple into a fine mesh sieve planted over a medium bowl. Force the juice through the sieve with a rubber spatula.
- To make your limeade concentrate, thoroughly stir in the honey and lime juice. Use this as a base to serve up in individual drinks or in a large pitcher. Add 1 parts concentrate to 3 parts water, then serve in chilled glasses.
Pineapple Honey Limeade concentrate, combine this with 1 parts concentrate to 3 parts water.
