Pera-Piña (Dominican Rice Drink with Pineapple)
Pera-Piña is a traditional Dominican juice perfect for hot days and a great way to use up the entire pineapple.
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple (rind and core included)
- ½ cup uncooked white rice
- 7 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by washing the pineapple thoroughly to remove any dirt since the rind will be used. Cut off the top and bottom, then peel the skin and set the rinds aside.
- Remove the core and save it as well. The pineapple flesh isn’t needed for this recipe, but you can enjoy it as a snack or use it in smoothies and desserts.
- In a large pot, combine the pineapple rinds, core, uncooked rice, water, and cinnamon stick. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until the pineapple rinds soften and the rice is fully cooked.
- Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Transfer the cooked mixture to a blender and blend until smooth—it will still have some texture.
- Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large mixing bowl and strain the juice, pressing down with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining pulp.
- Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully dissolved. Cover the juice with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours until it’s nicely chilled.
- Once cold, pour the Pera-Piña over a glass filled with ice. Serve immediately for the best flavor and enjoy this refreshing Dominican drink!
Nutrition
Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 25mgPotassium: 279mgFiber: 4gSugar: 47gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 108mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!