How To Make Pineapple Ginger Syrup
Whether you’re making a cocktail or refreshing summer beverage, this easy recipe for Pineapple Ginger Simple Syrup is one you’re going to want on hand. Made popular thanks to its use in many Starbucks drinks, this homemade version is so delicious that you’ll want to skip the trip and make your own at home.
This recipe came about when I decided I needed to make a Starbucks Copycat recipe for their Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink. If you've never had it before, the copycat version using this homemade simple syrup is a great way to enjoy this discontinued beverage. It's a lovely tropical syrup that makes a super refreshing drink.
Homemade Pineapple Ginger Syrup Ingredients
For this homemade syrup, you don't need more than a few simple ingredients.
- Pineapple juice, which can be canned or fresh.
- Ginger, can be purchased pre-minced, diced fresh or you could also use ginger juice. I've also seen people try ginger powder. You could do this if you don't have any other options, but haven't tried it myself so the measurements for this recipe would be different.
- Monkfruit, which is a 1:1 substitute for regular white sugar. If you would rather use regular sugar, that's totally fine. I just prefer monk fruit to scale back on the added sugar content.
Easy Steps To Make It Fresh
As I mentioned above, you can make this recipe so easily with only three ingredients! If you really don't mind spending a few extra minutes to make this you can make it fresh. It will taste delicious regardless of how you choose to make it but it doesn't hurt to take things a step further if you're feeling ambitious.
First: You will want to make fresh pineapple juice. If you have a juicer at home, you can use that. Otherwise, you can use a blender. It's totally ok if your juice has some chunks or small pieces in it because it will all get strained at the end.
To cut your large pineapple for juicing you will start by cutting off the bottom, twisting off the leaves at the top, and then standing the fruit upright you will use a large sharp knife to shave the skin off of the pineapple. From there you will cut the pineapple in half while it is still standing up. Then cut large triangle wedges to avoid the core in the middle.
Second: Fresh ginger root is a nice touch as well. You will want to mince it up small with a knife or in the bowl of a food processor. I would personally skip the food processor though unless you want extra dishes to clean.
As mentioned with the fresh pineapple, the chunks of ginger will be strained out at the end so it's ok for them to be a bit chunky.
Drinks You Can Make With Pineapple Ginger Syrup
The beauty of making this delicious syrup is that you can use it for so many different types of drinks. Whether it's a mocktail or cocktail it's a great addition to your next homemade beverage.
Other Ways To Enjoy
Typically this syrup is used for drinks or cocktails, but you can also use it with other things as well. You can try it on ice cream, with a bowl of greek yogurt, drizzle it on pancakes, or add a splash to your favorite seltzer water.
How To Store Your Syrup
I actually used a salad dressing container to store mine in. It's just the right size for the amount of syrup that this recipe makes, plus it's easy to pour with.
If you don't have a salad dressing container, a glass mason jar with a lid is also a great way to store this syrup. You can keep it in your fridge this way for up to a week.
How To Make It Sugar-Free
If you're looking for a way to cut back on the sugar content, I highly recommend monk fruit sweetener. Don't like monk fruit? Choose your favorite sweetener or just go with white or brown sugar. Monk fruit is a 1:1 substitute so the measurements will stay the same.
FAQ
This version tastes sweet from the pineapple but also has a slight spice thanks to the minced ginger. I used monk fruit sweetener to make this version because I like to watch my sugar intake when I can. But the pineapple juice still adds enough natural sweetness as well.
In the original Starbucks version, I'm not certain that the ginger flavor is super potent. In this recipe, it's definitely noticeable which I love!
As this blog was published, Starbucks discontinued the beverages that use Pineapple Ginger Syrup. If you’re curious what the exact ingredients are for the Starbucks version it's water, sugar, natural flavors, citric acid, xanthan gum, and potassium sorbate.
Basically a lot of artificial flavors. It doesn’t tell you much other than it has “natural flavors”.
Here is a list of several drinks that Starbucks has used Pineapple Ginger Syrup for in the past:
Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink (Click for my Copycat Recipe of this popular beverage)
Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
Starbucks Iced Golden Ginger Drink
Additional Tips
Make sure to let your syrup cool for at least 20 to 30 minutes on the stove before transferring it to a container. You will want to strain the syrup with a mesh strainer over a large measuring cup. This makes it easy to pour into your desired storage.
I recommend putting this syrup in your fridge to cool for about an hour before making an iced drink. I've found it can still be a bit warm at the 30-minute mark of cooling on the stove.
Pineapple Ginger Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ Cup 100% Pineapple Juice
- ¼ Cup Minced Ginger
- ⅓ Cup Monkfruit Sweetener
- ½ Cup Water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan add your pineapple juice, minced ginger, monk fruit sweetener, and water. Bring to a low boil over medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent sugar and ginger from burning.
- Once the mixture is boiling, reduce heat to low and continue to let it simmer for about one minute. At this point, all of the monk fruit or sugar that you used should be dissolved.
- Remove from heat. Let sit for 30 minutes on the stove to cool down at room temperature.
- Strain the ginger and any large pineapple pieces with a fine mesh strainer. This is the best way to get a smooth syrup. You will want to pour the ingredients from the saucepan into a large measuring cup so that it's easy to pour into your desired storage container.
- Keep in a tightly sealed container for up to one week.
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Please tag me on Instagram @natashasfoodadventures so I can see your creations! I love getting to know you guys and can’t wait to see which recipe you will make next.
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