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Looking for an easy drinking cocktail to enjoy on a hot summer day? This Pineapple Gin Cooler is so refreshing and easy to make! It’s a 4-ingredient cocktail that’s bursting with fresh citrus flavors and plenty of fizz.
Gin and pineapple juice come together to make the best summer drink
When you think of pineapple cocktails, does rum or tequila come to mind? Sure, these two spirits are deliciously refreshing when mixed with the tropical juice (like in a piña colada or pineapple margarita), but you’re missing out on the magic that is gin and pineapple juice!
This surprising pairing comes together in this sparkling Pineapple Gin Cooler Cocktail. It’s a refreshing summer cocktail made with only 4 ingredients: gin, pineapple juice, lime juice, and sparkling water. Drink it poolside, at summer barbecues, or at get-togethers… regardless of where you enjoy it, each sip will make you feel like you’re on a tropical island!
What is a cooler cocktail?
There is no one set recipe for cooler cocktails; it’s an easy-to-customize mix of a spirit, sparkling water, and fruit juice. Two things are for sure with any cooler recipe: they’re a (1) refreshing low-alcohol drink that’s (2) very easy to drink. Even The New York Times agrees - it’s the perfect summer drink!
Are gin coolers on your list of must-try summer cocktails? Then you’ll want to try my Sparkling Orange Lemon Gin Cooler as well!
Ingredients needed
You only need 4 ingredients to make this gin cooler but the quality of each one matters. There’s no need to go overboard with fancy ingredients, though; use the ones that taste best to you!
Pineapple juice
Small, shelf-stable cans of pineapple juice are usually my go-to because I can keep a few cans on my bar cart at all times. It’s what I use to make my Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail, Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri, and more.
However, if you want your pineapple cocktail to taste extra bright and sweet, fresh pineapple juice is the way to go. You can juice fresh pineapple yourself using a blender and fine-mesh sieve or buy it from the store. Just know that its shelf-life is very short, so make sure to use the juice the day you buy it.
And just because this gin cocktail is made with pineapple juice doesn’t mean you don’t have any other options. Go ahead and mix up the flavor with even more fruit juices, like:
- Orange juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Watermelon juice
- Mango juice
Gin
This clear distilled spirit has a botanical, evergreen flavor because it’s made with juniper berries, angelica root, citrus peel, lemongrass, herbs, and other aromatics. Gin’s unique flavor adds complexity to all kinds of cocktail recipes, like the Negroni, French 77, and Corpse Reviver No. 2.
In this gin cooler recipe, use a gin you already enjoy drinking! Many mid-priced brands, like Hendricks, The Botanist, or St. George Gins, have a mild flavor that will pair well with the tropical flavors.
Lastly, each cooler calls for 1.5 ounces of gin. For a boozier cocktail, add up to 2 ounces instead.
Lime juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice ties the whole cocktail together with its bright, tart flavor. Try to squeeze the limes yourself with a citrus reamer; the juice is much more vibrant, helping your cocktail taste its best.
No lime juice at home? Feel free to use fresh lemon juice as a substitute.
Sparkling water
Finishing the drink with fizzy sparkling water is what makes every sip so refreshing! I love using Topo Chico sparkling water because it’s super bubbly and great in this recipe. You can use any brand you already love or that’s available to you.
Remember not to add the sparkling water until right before serving. If it’s added too early, then the bubbles will dissipate and you’ll miss out on the refreshing fizz.
Tips to make the most refreshing gin cocktail
Make the best gin cocktail by following these helpful tips:
Shake it, baby!
It might be tempting to pour the ingredients into a glass and sip right away, but it’s important to shake this cocktail first.
Shaking vs. stirring cocktails are two very different methods with varied results. Stirring is best for spirit-forward drinks, like a Negroni or Manhattan, because it slowly dilutes the drink and creates a smooth mouthfeel. In this recipe, shaking the ingredients with ice properly dilutes the mix, makes it ice-cold, and ensures each sip is well-balanced.
Use these cocktail-shaking tips when putting this recipe together:
- Use a cocktail shaker if you can, like a Boston shaker. If you don’t have one, use a sealed mason jar or any airtight container instead.
- Shake for about 30 seconds or until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
- Remember to make fresh ice the night before making this cocktail. The off-tasting, freezer-burnt cubes at the back of your freezer will seep into your drink and affect the overall flavor.
Make a big batch of coolers
This recipe makes enough for two cocktails but you can use my guide on batching cocktails to learn how to make a pitcher of gin coolers if serving a crowd.
If you make a big batch of this tasty drink, keep it cool with pineapple or lime-filled ice cubes served on the side. They will not only keep each drink ice-cold but they also look super cute. Watch this video to learn how to make fruit ice cubes for cocktails.
Make it a mocktail
Omit the gin and make a 3-ingredient mocktail instead. This way, you can enjoy all of the refreshing citrus flavors with none of the alcohol.
Recipe
4 Ingredient Pineapple Gin Cooler Cocktail
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Pineapple juice
- 3 ounces Gin
- Juice of two limes
- Sparkling water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except sparkling water into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously!
- Evenly divide cocktail between two tumblers filled with ice and top with your favorite sparkling water. Serve with more lime wedges and cute paper straws!
Emily Dingmann says
Made these for friends this weekend and they were perfect! Refreshing and the right amount of sweetness.
Jessica says
Where did u get those glasses????????? So cute
Michelle Ferrand says
Thank you, Jessica! A friend actually brought them over and she got them from an antique shop!