Pineapple Limeade

A four-ingredient tropical drink that hits the sweet-tart-fizzy trifecta. Pineapple juice and fresh lime juice get mixed with sugar, chilled, and then topped off with sparkling water right before serving. The carbonation lifts the heavy sweetness of the pineapple and makes the whole thing feel lighter and more refreshing than a flat juice blend.

Mix everything except the sparkling water first and let it chill. The sugar dissolves better in the juice at rest than in a fizzy pour, and the pineapple and lime flavors meld during that time in the fridge.

Add the sparkling water at the last second. Mixing it in too early means flat limeade by the time you serve it.

Pro Tips

• Stir the sugar into the juices until fully dissolved before refrigerating. Undissolved sugar sinks to the bottom and makes the last few sips cloyingly sweet.
• Use cold sparkling water straight from the fridge. Room-temperature sparkling water loses carbonation faster when it hits the cold juice.
• Garnish each glass with a lime wheel for presentation and an extra hit of citrus aroma.

Variations

• Add a splash of coconut cream to each glass for a pina colada-style limeade.
• Muddle fresh mint leaves into the pitcher before chilling for a mojito twist.
• Swap sparkling water for ginger ale to add a warm, spicy note.