Who doesn’t enjoy a creamy piña colada on a hot summer’s day? The kind with a slice of pineapple and a little red umbrella? Samesies. What happens if you can’t find pineapple or you have a pineapple allergy?
So is there a substitute for pineapple juice, and what can you use?
Pineapple juice has several tasty (and healthy) substitutes, such as orange, pink grapefruit, apple, and mango juice. You can also use passion fruit juice, pomegranate, papaya, and guava juice. A less popular (but usable) substitute is apple cider vinegar and sugar.
Don’t let the fact that you don’t have pineapple juice stop you from making a delicious dish or smoothie. This helpful guide will provide you with the 7 best pineapple juice substitutes.
What Can I Use Instead of Pineapple Juice?
Many substitutes are available if you don’t have pineapple juice on hand. You can use mango juice, guava juice, and even apple cider vinegar with sugar (if you’re in a pinch).
One of the best substitutes is orange juice, as it’s also a citrus and tropical fruit – like pineapple.
Orange juice has the same tangy sweetness as pineapple juice (and it’s also packed with vitamin C).
If you don’t like oranges, here’s a list of a few other options you can try:
- Lime or lemon juice
- Citric acid
- Blood orange juice
Did you know? Most fruit juices, including pineapple juice, are not 100% pure. Most fruit juices are made with a percentage of apple juice and only a portion of real pineapple juice.
7 Best Substitutes for Pineapple Juice
Here’s a look at the 7 best pineapple juice substitutes you can use:
1. Pink Grapefruit Juice
If you’re looking for an excellent substitute for pineapple juice that will give you the same tanginess, look no further than pink grapefruit juice.
This citrus fruit is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals (it’s also low in calories).
Grapefruit is perfect for adding to smoothies and cocktails. It’s important to know that grapefruit juice does have a slightly more bitter taste than pineapple juice, and you may need to add some honey to improve the flavor.
The ratio of pink grapefruit juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
2. Apple Juice
Another great option is apple juice, and the taste profile is similar to pineapple juice. Apple juice makes a great base liquid in recipes.
If you’re hoping to match the texture of pineapple juice, then apple juice might not be the best option for the recipe. Apple juice is smooth in consistency compared to pineapple’s pulpy texture.
Top Tip: If you find the apple juice is too sweet, you can adjust it by adding some citric acid or lemon juice to your recipe.
The ratio of apple juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
3. Mango Juice
If you love the sweet taste of mangoes, this substitute will make your recipe delicious. Mango juice has a gentle tropical taste and just the right amount of sweetness. If you can find ripe mangoes, you can easily make the juice at home with a blender.
Unripe mangoes should be avoided as they can be pretty hard and fibrous, affecting your recipe. You can also use store-bought mango juice as a substitute.
The ratio of mango juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
4. Passion Fruit Juice
Passion fruit juice is an excellent substitute for pineapple juice. This tropical fruit has a pleasant tart flavor similar to pineapple. Another bonus is that passion fruit is available throughout the year.
If you don’t like the texture of the seeds in the passion fruit, you can strain the pulp to remove them. However, the seeds are a great source of fiber, so it’s worth using the juice and the seeds.
The ratio of passion fruit juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
5. Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is a delicious and healthy substitute for pineapple juice. These round red fruits have antioxidant properties, are packed with vitamin C, and are excellent for the digestive system.
This juice has the same tangy-sour and sweet taste as pineapple juice, making it a great substitute.
Good to know: Pomegranate juice is one of the more expensive substitutes, and it can be hard to source from local grocery stores.
The ratio of pomegranate juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
6. Papaya Juice
Papaya juice is another great substitute for pineapple juice. Papaya has a sweet and slightly bitter flavor that works well in recipes that require pineapple juice, such as smoothies, cocktails, and baked goodies.
The ratio of papaya juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
7. Guava Juice
Guava juice is another great tropical fruit you can use as a substitute for pineapple juice. If you decide to make the juice at home, remember that unripe guavas have a more sour taste, while ripe guavas have a sweeter taste.
It depends on if you want a sweet or sour option for your recipe.
The ratio of guava juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
Can You Substitute Water for Pineapple Juice?
You can substitute water for pineapple juice in most recipes that call for pineapple juice.
However, it’s important to remember that water has no taste and will not match the sweet flavor that pineapple adds to a recipe.
Mix the water with some lime juice to give it a more tangy flavor. Water is best used to add liquid to the recipe when you don’t have pineapple juice.
Can You Substitute Lemonade for Pineapple Juice?
In most recipes, you can use lemonade as a substitute for pineapple juice as it adds to the flavor. It’s also a good option for adding acidity to marinades and sauces. Lemonade is made from a mixture of a sweetener such as honey or syrup, water, and lemon juice.
When substituting lemonade for pineapple juice, add less than the recipe asks for, as lemonade is more concentrated and will have a stronger taste.
Can I Substitute Orange Juice for Pineapple Juice in a Recipe?
In most recipes, you can use orange juice as a substitute for pineapple juice. Orange juice is also a citrus fruit and complements meat and baking dishes.
You can make orange juice at home with a juicer, or you can buy orange juice from any local grocery store.
The ratio of orange juice is one cup for every cup of pineapple juice.
My Last Foodie Thoughts
Luckily, pineapple juice has many tasty and healthy substitutes available. It all depends on what you need the pineapple juice for.
Are you trying to match the pineapple juice’s color, consistency, or flavor?
Each of these pineapple juice substitutes will give your recipe a health kick and a wonderful taste profile.
When it comes to fruit juice, you can always add flavors such as lime and apple to break the sweetness or add sweetness to the juice.
Related Articles: