This Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail is refreshing, light, and fizzy with a spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineapple concentrate and ginger beer, it's the perfect drink to sip on hot summer days. The warm spices and sweet pineapple are a match made in mocktail (or cocktail) heaven!
Quick Tips
- Pick up a few extra limes since some can be less juicy than others
- Make the pineapple syrup ahead of time for easy mocktail serving
- Use a spoon to push the pineapple syrup through the strainer
What is a mocktail
A mocktail, or mock cocktail, is a drink made like a cocktail, but without the alcohol. You may also hear them called virgin drinks. Mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are becoming more popular in recent years with brands creating more non-alcoholic beverage options.
Whether you're not drinking for health reasons or you just don't want the alcohol right now, a mockail can still be a delicious drink! It's a great idea to have a mocktail option for your guests if you're hosting a party or gathering.
Other Mocktail Recipes You May Like
- The Best Virgin Mojito {Mojito Mocktail}
- Simple Pineapple Ginger Immunity Juice
- Pineapple Water / Agua de Piña
- Orange Agua Fresca / Agua de Naranja
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Highlights of this recipe
This recipe is:
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Non-alcoholic
Equipment
- Blender
- Strainer
- Airtight jar or container for the syrup
- Highball glass, copper mug, or your favorite drinking glass
Ingredients
- Frozen Pineapple - You can pick up pre cut frozen pineapple in the frozen foods section of your grocery store, or save leftover fresh pineapple and freeze it. If you can't find frozen pineapple you can substitute for 1 cup pineapple juice. Check the labels though, as store bought juices have a lot of sugar making the final concentrate very sweet.
- Lime Juice - Fresh is always best! I recommend picking up a few extra limes in case they are not very juicy.
- Whole Black Peppercorns - These are what goes in your pepper grinder. They add a hint of spiciness to this fruity mocktail.
- Cloves - Cloves are mildly sweet and spicy and very aromatic with a warm flavor. You will find them in the spice aisle.
- Star Anise - Have you ever seen those pretty little star shaped spices? That is star anise! They are slightly sweet with a flavor similar to licorice.
- Ground Cinnamon - Warm and spiced. A great compliment to the sweet pineapple in this drink.
- Ginger Beer - A nonalcoholic carbonated drink made from ginger root. It gives this summer drink the perfect splash of sweet fizz. I used the Trader Joe's brand. Fever Tree is also another great one.
- Garnishes - Garnishes are optional, but make this mocktail recipe extra special. Garnish with fresh pineapple wedges, orange slices, candied or fresh ginger, a cinnamon stick, or fresh mint leaves.
How to make a pineapple ginger beer mocktail
I love this mocktail recipe for its balance of sweet and warm spicy flavors. It's made with no extra sugar, so you can skip the sweet drink headache! The warm spices of black pepper, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon mixed with the fresh fruit gives this mocktail major tiki drink vibes!
To make this pineapple ginger beer mocktail, you will need to make a pineapple concentrate and top it off with spicy ginger beer.
How to make pineapple concentrate
Making your own pineapple syrup is surprisingly easy and I guarantee it will taste better than any syrup you can buy from the store!
blend the frozen pineapple and water 
reduce the liquid by half 
strain through a fine mesh strainer
STEP ONE: First, you will need to blend the frozen pineapple and water until smooth.
STEP TWO: Next, pour the pineapple puree into a small saucepan. Add lime juice and turn on medium-high heat. Add in cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and peppercorns to the juice in the saucepan.
STEP THREE: Bring the juice up to a boil, then turn down to a simmer.
STEP FOUR: Simmer for about 4-5 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce by half.
STEP FIVE: When reduced to the desired consistency, remove the pineapple concentrate from heat and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
STEP SIX: Strain the concentrate through a mesh strainer into an airtight jar or container. Use a spoon to push the juice through the strainer.
Now you have a spiced pineapple syrup for your mocktails and cocktails! You can store this in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Want more of this spiced pineapple flavor? Try this Spiced Pineapple Rum Moscow Mule
Instructions
Now that you have your spicy pineapple concentrate, let's make the mocktail!
Add the pineapple syrup to a glass with ice, top with ginger beer, and give it a stir! You can skip the cocktail shaker for this recipe since the ginger beer is carbonated. Serve cold. Bonus points if it's a hot day!
Garnish ideas
Don't forget the garnishes! This fruity drink deserves a special finishing touch. Here are some ideas.
- Candied ginger and star anise
- Pineapple leaves and fresh pineapple wedges
- Orange and lime slices
- A cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon
What to serve this mocktail with?
This non-alcoholic drink was made for warm summer days and backyard barbecues. Here are some ideas on what to pair it with.
- Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa Tacos
- Fried Tilapia Tacos with Kale-Carrot Slaw
- Carne Asada Quesadillas
- Easy Grilled Swordfish Tacos
Variations & substitutions
I love this pineapple ginger mocktail as is, but you can always change it up to your preferences! Here are some of my favorite variations.
Top it with a splash of fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, or lemon juice
If you find your pineapple is not very sweet, you can add a teaspoon or two of simple syrup
Make it a pineapple mule cocktail by adding a shot of vodka
Make it a tiki cocktail by adding a shot of rum
Blend with ice for a frozen mocktail or smoothie
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
To make pineapple concentrate, blend frozen pineapple with water, or use pineapple juice. Heat the puree or juice until boiling. Lower heat to a simmer and allow the liquid to reduce by half. Once cool, strain it through a fine mesh strainer.
This spiced pineapple syrup is made from frozen pineapples, water, lime juice, peppercorns, cloves, star anise, and ground cinnamon.
Most ginger beers don't contain alcohol (think root beer), but check the label just to be sure!
Need a cocktail recipe? Try these!
- Fresh Watermelon Gin Mojito
- the Best Mexican Mule (aka Tequila Mule)
- Spicy Mezcal Margaritas with Carrot Juice
- Blackberry & Rosemary Margaritas
📖 Recipe
Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail
Equipment
- Blender
- Strainer
- Airtight jar or container
Ingredients
Spicy Pineapple Concentrate (1 Cup)
- 1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
- 1 Cup Water
- ½ Cup Lime Juice
- 10 Whole Black Peppercorns
- 2 Cloves
- 1 Star Anise
- 1 TSP Ground Cinnamon
Mocktail
- 4 OZ Ginger Beer
- 2 OZ Spicy Pineapple Concentrate
Instructions
Spicy Pineapple Concentrate
- Blend frozen pineapple and water until smooth.
- Pour pineapple juice into a small saucepan. Add lime juice and turn on medium-high heat.
- Add in cloves, cinnamon, star anise, and peppercorns to the juice in the saucepan.
- Bring the juice concentrate to a boil. Once at a boil, bring down to a simmer.
- Allow the liquid to reduce by half, about 4-5 minutes.
- Leave to cool 10-minutes on the stove and then strain into a small airtight-capable jar or container. (Use a spoon to push the juice through the strainer)
Make the Mocktail
- Add Pineapple & Cinnamon Juice Concentrate to a glass with ice.
- Top with ginger beer.