Peruvian

Easy · Cold

Pineapple Mint Smash

A vibrant Andean-inspired smash cocktail featuring sweet pineapple, fresh mint, and the warmth of aguardiente, balanced with bright lime and finished with effervescence.

Recipe by

Sebastián Quispe

The Pisco Valley Keeper

Prep

15 min

Total

15 min

Method

Cut pineapple into 2-inch chunks. Roll limes firmly on the counter to release juices, then cut in half and juice using a manual citrus press until you have 6 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.

In a large pitcher, combine pineapple chunks, fresh mint leaves, and lime juice. Using a traditional muddler, gently press the mint and pineapple just enough to release the aromatic oils and juices without shredding the mint fibers.

Add agave syrup and aguardiente to the pitcher. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds to fully integrate.

Pour sparkling water into the pitcher and stir gently to preserve carbonation. Fill four tall glasses with ice cubes, then divide the smash mixture evenly.

Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig and serve immediately while effervescent.

Grade pending

Nutri-Score

Estimated nutrition

Grade pending · 90% ingredient coverage

Calories

194

per serving

Low salt · 97mg

Protein

Carbs

48g

Fat

Fiber

Sodium

97mg

Dairy FreeGluten FreeAntioxidant RichDental HealthHeart HealthyLow FatLow SodiumVitamin C Rich

Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.

Environmental impact

Very low impact

A–E · lower is better · includes estimates

kg CO₂e

0.4

per serving

ACarbon

Pineapple drives 50% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.

Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.

Flavor Profile

Umami

Sweet

Salty

Sour

Bitter

Spicy

Textures

CrispJuicyTender

Aromas

AniseCitrusFruityHerbal

Kitchen Equipment

Primary Tool

Traditional Muddler

PitcherWooden Spoon Cutting Board KnifeManual Citrus PressTraditional MuddlerIce CubesTall Glasses

Techniques

Citrus PressingMuddlingStirring

Safety & Storage

Drug Interaction

Aguardiente contains alcohol. Do not consume if taking medications that interact with alcohol, including certain antibiotics, pain relievers, sedatives, or antidepressants. Never mix with acetaminophen or NSAIDs.

High Risk Population

This cocktail contains alcohol and is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, children, individuals with liver conditions, or those recovering from alcohol dependency.

Cross Contamination

Thoroughly clean the manual citrus press and traditional muddler between uses to prevent cross-contamination with common allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, fish, or shellfish if used for other recipes.

Storage

This beverage is best served immediately after preparation. Fresh pineapple chunks and mint leaves can support bacterial growth if left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate unused portions and consume within 24 hours.

Handling

Apply firm, controlled pressure when rolling limes on the counter to prevent hand strain. When using the manual citrus press, ensure the lime halves are properly seated to prevent juice splatter or hand slip injuries.

Allergen Warning

While not intentionally added, trace amounts of sulfites may be present in aguardiente. Individuals with sulfite sensitivity should exercise caution or select an alternative spirit.

Pro Tips

Technique

When muddling the mint and pineapple, press firmly but never grind — you want to extract the aromatic oils and juices, not shred the delicate mint fibers into bitter fragments. The texture should feel like a gentle massage, not a conquest.

Equipment

A manual citrus press is essential here, not an electric juicer. The pressure and slight heat from electric juicers can oxidize the lime juice too quickly, dulling that bright, essential acidity that makes this smash come alive.

Presentation

Serve this immediately after adding the sparkling water, while the bubbles are still lively. I always fill the glasses with fresh ice first, then pour the mixture — this preserves the carbonation and keeps the mint aromatics front and center with each sip.

From the chef

Pineapple and mint are a studied pairing: the fruit brings tropical sweetness and natural acidity, while mint's aromatics cut through and freshen each sip. Aguardiente grounds the smash with a warm anise character that keeps it from reading as simply fruity. Agave syrup does the sweetening work cleanly — enough to balance the lime, not enough to dominate. The key technique is the muddle: press gently to release oils without shredding the mint fibers, which would turn the drink bitter. Sparkling water goes in last with a careful stir to preserve the effervescence. Serve over ice while the bubbles are still lively.

Sebastián QuispeThe Pisco Valley Keeper

Visit profile

TagsSmashRefreshingTropicalHerbaceousAndeanCitrusAgave SweetenedEffervescentSummer Drink

AllergensSulfites

Source: generated · June 13, 2026