Pineapple-cilantro Soda Recipe

Prepare pineapple juice

Cut fresh pineapple into chunks, discarding core if very tough. Place 3 cups pineapple chunks and 1 cup water in a high-speed blender. Blend on high until very smooth, about 45–60 seconds.

Strain the blended pineapple through a fine-mesh sieve or chinois into a bowl or pitcher, pressing with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. You should yield roughly 2 to 2 1/2 cups of juice. Discard solids or save for another use.

Stir 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice into the warm (room-temperature) pineapple juice until the sugar dissolves. If sugar doesn't dissolve fully, gently warm a small portion (do not boil) and then cool — but avoid heating the whole juice to preserve freshness. Add 1 teaspoon salt and stir to incorporate.

Make syrup

In a small saucepan combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves and mixture just reaches a gentle simmer, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add 1 packed cup of fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems to the hot syrup. Press the cilantro into the liquid with a spoon to submerge. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes off the heat for a bright herbal infusion.

After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine sieve, pressing on the cilantro to extract flavor. Discard solids. Taste and adjust: if the cilantro note is too subtle, you can add a small extra pinch of minced cilantro to the finished syrup and let sit 5 more minutes, then strain again. Cool syrup to room temperature before using.

Combine and carbonate

In a large pitcher, combine the strained pineapple juice mixture and the cooled cilantro simple syrup. Taste and adjust balance: for more sweetness add up to 2 tablespoons sugar or syrup; for more brightness add additional lime juice in 1 teaspoon increments. The combined fruit+syrup base should be concentrated — about 3 to 3 1/2 cups total.

To serve as a fountain-style soda, fill 4 tall glasses with 3/4 cup ice each. Pour 1/4 cup (about 60 ml) of the pineapple-cilantro base into each glass (adjust to taste; less base yields a lighter soda). Top each glass with 1 cup of chilled club soda, gently stir once to combine.

Alternatively, for pre-mixed soda, gently stir the base into 4 cups chilled club soda in the pitcher until combined; do not shake or vigorously stir to preserve carbonation.

Garnish each glass with a lime wedge and a cilantro sprig. Serve immediately. If storing, keep the base refrigerated up to 3 days; add club soda just before serving.