Pineapple Agua Fresca with Blueberries

Pineapple agua fresca with blueberries is a spin on classic agua de piña. I make this refreshing Mexican drink in just a few minutes by blending fresh pineapple chunks and blueberries with water and sugar. Served over ice, it’s perfect to enjoy on warm days!

I always start experimenting with agua fresca flavor combinations in early spring and recently created a delicious combination that blends pineapple with fresh blueberries for a tasty treat that’s perfect to enjoy on warm days. All you need are three simple ingredients and a few minutes to blend up this concoction. Serve chilled, over ice and your friends and family will surely be asking for another swig.

WHAT IS AGUA FRESCA?

Agua fresca literally translates to fresh, cold, or refreshing water, but literal translations do little to describe the true essence of these fruit-forward and fun drinks. This is true of the translation of melon water – this name just misses the mark!

These non-alcoholic beverages are typically made by blending water and sugar with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Some are also made with dry ingredients such as rice, tamarind pods, and hibiscus, which are Mexican pantry staples. 

According to the author and Mexican confections queen, Fany Gerson, aguas frescas have indigenous roots. “When Aztecs traveled from their farmlands to the markets in Tenochtitlan (what is now Mexico City), they would paddle through channels in the valley’s wetlands and mash some ripe fruit with water as a way to refresh themselves through the journey.”

Nowadays, aguas frescas are available just about everywhere in Mexico, from street-side food stands and ice cream shops in rural towns, to high-end restaurants in large cities. They are fresh, diversified, and vibrant and are part of daily life and culture in Mexico. They’re also perfect to drink during warm summer months.

WHAT IS AGUA DE PIÑA?

Agua de piña is a refreshing Mexican drink made by blending sweet pineapple chunks with water, and sugar, then straining and serving it chilled over ice. I’ve created a colorful spin to this classic agua fresca by adding blueberries to the mix! The tropical flavor of the pineapple pairs perfectly with the tartness of the blueberries, and the drink’s purplish pink hue is just fabulous!

Dress up your drinks with adorable reusable appetizer and cocktail toothpicks like the ones I used for my pineapple agua fresca with blueberries. I source them directly from female artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico. VIEW PRODUCT

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

This pineapple agua fresca recipe has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of one of the very first branded collaborations I worked on early in my career. Here are a few other reasons to love this recipe:

• Easy to make: This delightful agua fresca takes about 5 to 10 minutes to prepare (it really depends on how fast you can cut a pineapple!) with just a handful of ingredients, making it a quick and convenient homemade beverage option.
• Refreshing hydration: My agua de piña combines the tropical sweetness of pineapple with the tart burst of blueberries, which is great for quenching thirst.
• Nutrient-rich: It’s packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber from both fruits.
• Low-calorie: I always love low-calorie alternatives to sugary sodas and juices.
• Versatile: Enjoy it as a drink on its own, or use it as a base for cocktails and mocktails.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLE

I’ve combined the nutritional benefits of pineapples and blueberries into one refreshing drink!

• Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports immune function, promotes skin health, and acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect against cellular damage.
• Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion by breaking down proteins. Bromelain can also help reduce inflammation and may relieve symptoms of indigestion.
• Pineapple provides a good amount of manganese, a mineral essential for bone formation, growth, and maintenance, helping to support overall bone health and prevent osteoporosis.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF BLUEBERRIES

• Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases.
• Regular consumption of blueberries has been linked to improved heart health, including lower blood pressure and reduced LDL cholesterol levels, thanks to their fiber and polyphenol content.
• Blueberries may enhance brain function and delay age-related cognitive decline. The antioxidants in blueberries can improve brain function and memory by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

• Pineapple: I have used fresh, frozen, and even canned pineapple chunks in this recipe. My preference is always fresh, but when it is not in season I keep frozen pineapple chunks and canned pineapple on hand.
• Blueberries: Fresh or frozen work! Since fruits are typically frozen at peak ripeness, frozen blueberries are just as good as fresh for this recipe.
• Sweetener: I like to use pure cane sugar, simple syrup, agave, or dates to sweeten my aguas frescas.
• Water: Agua fresca is supposed to be light in texture, like a juice. It’s not a nectar, which is why I use plenty of water to thin it out.

RECOMMENDED FOR THIS RECIPE

Vitamin Professional-Grade Blender

I have owned a Vitamix blender for nearly 25 years and it is well worth the investment, especially for making aguas frescas, smoothies, and jugo verde! VIEW PRODUCT

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

1. Prepare ingredients

• Peel and chop half of a pineapple into large chunks
• Feel free to use the core or leave it out if you’d like

2. Blend ingredients

• Working in batches, process the pineapple chunks, blueberries, sugar, and 4 cups of water on medium setting for 60 seconds.

3. Strain and mix

• Strain the blueberry and pineapple water mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove any pulp. Stir in remaining 2 cups of water.

4. Serve and enjoy

• Serve over ice and enjoy chilled.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

• For an additional boost of vitamin C, add a handful of fresh strawberries or blackberries.
• Feel free to use your favorite sweetener or skip the sugar altogether. I like to use pure cane sugar, simple syrup, agave, or dates to sweeten my aguas frescas.  

HOW TO STORE AGUA FRESCA

Store agua fresca in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, ensuring it stays fresh and chilled. Ingredients tend to settle at the bottom, so remember to stir your agua fresca before serving.

LOOKING FOR MORE AGUA FRESCA RECIPES?

• Agua de Tuna (Prickly Pear Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Melón (Cantaloupe Melon Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Mango (BEST 3-Ingredient Mango Agua Fresca)
• Iskiate (Hydrating Chia Drink from Born to Run Book)
• Agua de Fresa (Strawberry Agua Fresa), Packed with Vitamin C!
• Agua de Guayaba (Guava Agua Fresca)
• Maracuya Drink (Passion Fruit Agua Fresca)
• Strawberry Agua Fresca with Beets
• Agua de Piña y Pepino (Pineapple Cucumber Agua Fresca)
• Agua de Avena
• Spicy Prickly Pear Mezcal Paletas
• Dressing Up Your Drinks: 16 Recipes and Ideas for Easy Rims and Garnishes
• Raspberry Prickly Pear Agua Fresca

Recipe originally published June 2, 2017 and updated with more clear instructions and photos on June 14, 2024.

Lola’s Cocina is a small business that earns various revenue streams. This includes sponsored posts and affiliate commissions from linked products, which I use and love. This commission is an agreement between Lola’s Cocina and retailers, with no extra cost to readers. This income helps sustains the site.Save