Going out for drinks has become unbelievably expensive in the last few years, but luckily, authentic Spanish recipes are here to save the day.
Among them is the fermented pineapple drink, one of the easiest and cheapest Spanish recipes you can find, and the best part is that it requires very little effort.
To learn how to make the fermented pineapple drink from scratch, with expert tips for storing, serving, and customizing the ingredients, simply continue reading this article.
You, dear reader, support this blog. If you purchase through a link, we earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish recipes? Have a look at my other posts:
Background of the Dish
The fermented pineapple drink, commonly known as Tepache, is an alcoholic drink recipe that originated in Mexico around 500 years ago during pre-hispanic times.
Once the Spanish arrived in the region, they quickly brought it, along with other drinks and food recipes, to the old continent, where it was an instant hit in the southern region.
The reason behind its success is that it is cheap and easy to make, and it also has a relatively low alcohol content (less than 1%), so people can enjoy it casually without feeling overwhelmed by the alcohol, making it perfect for social gatherings and everyday refreshment.
Pin for later!
Things You’ll Need for Fermented Pineapple Drink
To prepare the fermented pineapple drink, you will need piloncillo (or brown sugar), cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, water, and pineapples.
Fortunately, the process of how to make tepache pineapple doesn’t require any fancy or expensive equipment, just a large pot or bowl and a jar or jug for storage.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe pineapple (or 2 small ones)
- 1 cup (200gr) piloncillo (or brown sugar)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-5 whole cloves
- Water
How to Make Fermented Pineapple Drink – Step by Step Guide
- To start making this fermented pineapple recipe, peel the pineapple and cut it into cubes. Keep the peels, as you will use them later for the drink.
- Now, place the pineapple cubes in a large pot or bowl. Add the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, pineapple peels, and piloncillo. Cover all of the ingredients with water and mix to combine.
- After that, cover the bowl or pot with a clean towel and let the pineapple drink rest at room temperature. Ferment for 1 to 2 days, tasting it occasionally to check the flavour.
- When the fermented drink reaches the desired level of fermentation, strain it and leave a few pieces of pineapple to add texture. Transfer it to a jar or a large container suitable for storing liquids, and place it in the fridge.
- To finish the Spanish drink recipe, let it cool for a couple of hours before serving, and enjoy. Store the fermented pineapple drink in a sealed container for up to 7 days, but keep in mind that it will ferment more, so check the taste once in a while.
Substitution of Ingredients
As long as you have ripe pineapple, you can prepare the fermented pineapple juice with a few ingredient adjustments if needed.
For example, instead of piloncillo, you can sweeten the homemade pineapple drink with packed brown sugar, and include other spices such as ginger, allspice, or a dash of nutmeg to play with the flavour.
Just like with leche merengada, you can enhance the cinnamon flavor in the fermented pineapple drink by dusting some cinnamon powder on top while serving.
Similar to the classic Spanish cocktail, you can add a few slices of orange (or freshly chopped pineapple) to garnish and add a new dimension to the drink.
Are you ready to take the next steps as an Andalusian home bartender?
Then, we have other simple Spanish drink recipes for you, such as the Spanish coffee cocktail, the Spanish wine cocktail, and the sherry cocktail.
Tips on Serving Fermented Pineapple Drink
The Tepache de Piña is usually served as a refreshing, chilled beverage that, on a hot day, you can complement with ice cubes and enjoy at any time.
To enhance the appearance of the fermented juice drink, serve it with a piece of pineapple (fresh or canned) or a sprinkle of cinnamon powder.
Since the Spanish pineapple drink has a mild alcoholic taste, but isn’t as strong as others, like the Spanish gin and tonic, you can serve it with afternoon snacks (both sweet and savory), as it won’t overpower the flavours.
To bring a dash of spring and summer to your day, there are more easy Spanish drink recipes you can prepare to serve alongside this one, such as the fruity Spanish drink and the gazpacho alcoholic drink.
How to Store Fermented Pineapple Drink
The fermented pineapple drink can be stored for up to 7 days in the fridge, but you must place it in a sealed container so that it doesn’t compromise the flavour.
Keep in mind that as long as it is stored, the healthy pineapple drink will continue the fermentation process, so over time it will develop a more alcoholic taste.
If you are only storing the tepache pineapple drink for one day, you can leave it in a jar or jug, as the flavours shouldn’t change much in a short amount of time.
Other Spanish drink recipes that you can prepare and store for a couple of days are tinto de verano and horchata, so you can easily enjoy a variety of refreshing beverages throughout the week.
Recipe Card: Fermented Pineapple Drink
Fermented Pineapple Drink Recipe
Going out for drinks has become unbelievably expensive in the last few years, but luckily, authentic Spanish drink recipes are here to save the day.
Among them is the fermented pineapple drink, one of the easiest and cheapest Spanish recipes you can find, and the best part is that it requires very little effort.
To learn how to make the fermented pineapple drink from scratch, with expert tips for storing, serving, and customizing the ingredients, simply continue reading this article.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe pineapple (or 2 small ones)
- 1 cup (200gr) piloncillo (or brown sugar)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4-5 whole cloves
- Water
Instructions
- Peel the pineapple and cut it into cubes. Keep the peels, as you will use them later in the recipe.
- Place the pineapple cubes in a large pot or bowl. Add the whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, pineapple peels, and piloncillo. Cover everything with water and mix to combine.
- Cover the bowl or pot with a clean towel and let it rest at room temperature. Ferment for 1 to 2 days, tasting it occasionally to check the flavour.
- Once it has reached the desired level of fermentation, strain it and leave a few pieces of pineapple to add texture. Transfer it to a jar or a large container suitable for storing liquids, and place it in the fridge.
- Let it cool for a couple of hours before serving, and enjoy. Store it in a sealed container for up to 7 days, but keep in mind that it will ferment more, so do a taste test once in a while.
Notes
Piloncillo is the classic ingredient to sweeten this drink, but you can use packed brown sugar to achieve a similar flavour.
As it ferments, if you feel it lacks the flavour of any spice or needs more sweetness, you can adjust the ingredients, but be careful with the piloncillo as it sweetens slowly.
If you plan to drink it quickly –within one or two days– you can store it in any jar, but if it's for longer, make sure it's in a sealed container.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 15Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 0g
All information presented and written are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. The writers and publishers of visitsouthernspain.com are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. Statements within this site have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
Let’s dive in and explore Southern Spain’s outdoors, food and culture con pasión!