Sparkling Lemongrass Pineapple Fizz Drink

Name: Sparkling Pineapple Lemongrass Fizz Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 large lemongrass stalks, tough outer leaves removed, root ends trimmed, tender lower 5 inches thinly sliced, about 1/2 cup sliced lemongrass; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 2 cups chilled 100% pineapple juice, ideally chilled to 40°F; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 medium limes, chilled if possible; 1/2 cup chilled lemongrass syrup, from the recipe above; 2 cups chilled plain sparkling water, ideally chilled to 40°F; 2 cups ice cubes, divided among 4 glasses; 4 small pineapple wedges; 4 thin lime wheels; 4 small fresh mint sprigs; 4 trimmed lemongrass stalk tops or skewers, for swizzle sticks

Imperial June 28, 2026June 28, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Quick Ingredients

2 large lemongrass stalks, trimmed and thinly sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups chilled 100% pineapple juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 medium limes
2 cups chilled plain sparkling water
2 cups ice cubes
Optional garnishes: 4 pineapple wedges, 4 lime wheels, 4 small mint sprigs, 4 lemongrass swizzle sticks

Do This

1. Trim lemongrass, use the tender lower 5 inches, and thinly slice it.
2. Simmer lemongrass, sugar, water, and salt at 200°F for 5 minutes to make syrup.
3. Cover and steep the syrup for 15 minutes, then strain and chill for 15 minutes.
4. Stir chilled pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and 1/2 cup lemongrass syrup in a pitcher.
5. Fill 4 tall glasses with 1/2 cup ice each.
6. Add sparkling water just before serving and stir gently once or twice.
7. Garnish with pineapple, lime, mint, and lemongrass swizzle sticks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright and tropical: Pineapple brings juicy sweetness while lime keeps the drink crisp and balanced.
Subtly fragrant: Lemongrass adds a clean citrus-floral note inspired by Southeast Asian flavors without overpowering the glass.
Easy to make ahead: The lemongrass syrup can be prepared in advance, so serving takes only a few minutes.
Alcohol-free and party-friendly: It feels special enough for brunch, cookouts, and celebrations, but it is refreshing for any day.

Grocery List

Produce: 2 large lemongrass stalks, 2 medium limes, fresh pineapple wedges for garnish, fresh mint sprigs, optional lime wheels
Dairy: None
Pantry: Granulated sugar, fine sea salt, 100% pineapple juice, plain sparkling water, ice cubes

Full Ingredients

For the Lemongrass Syrup

2 large lemongrass stalks, tough outer leaves removed, root ends trimmed, tender lower 5 inches thinly sliced, about 1/2 cup sliced lemongrass
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Pineapple Fizz

2 cups chilled 100% pineapple juice, ideally chilled to 40°F
1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 medium limes, chilled if possible
1/2 cup chilled lemongrass syrup, from the recipe above
2 cups chilled plain sparkling water, ideally chilled to 40°F
2 cups ice cubes, divided among 4 glasses

For Garnish

4 small pineapple wedges
4 thin lime wheels
4 small fresh mint sprigs
4 trimmed lemongrass stalk tops or skewers, for swizzle sticks

Sparkling Lemongrass Pineapple Fizz Drink – Closeup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the lemongrass

Remove the dry, tough outer layers from the lemongrass stalks. Trim off the root ends and use the tender lower 5 inches of each stalk. Slice the lemongrass very thinly into rounds, then lightly crush the slices with the side of a knife, a rolling pin, or the bottom of a measuring cup. This helps release the fragrant citrusy oils that give the drink its subtle Southeast Asian-inspired aroma.

Step 2: Make the lemongrass syrup

In a small saucepan, combine the sliced lemongrass, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set the pan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer at about 200°F, then reduce the heat as needed to maintain a light simmer for 5 minutes. The syrup should look clear and slightly glossy, with the lemongrass softened and fragrant.

Step 3: Steep, strain, and chill the syrup

Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it, and let the lemongrass steep for exactly 15 minutes. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-safe jar or measuring cup, pressing gently on the lemongrass to extract the flavored syrup. Discard the solids. Place the strained syrup in the freezer for 15 minutes to cool quickly, or refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes if you have extra time. For the best fizz, the syrup should be cool, preferably close to 40°F, before mixing.

Step 4: Mix the pineapple-lime base

In a 1-quart pitcher, combine 2 cups chilled pineapple juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, and 1/2 cup chilled lemongrass syrup. Stir for about 15 seconds until evenly blended. Taste the mixture before adding sparkling water. It should be bold, sweet-tart, and aromatic because the ice and sparkling water will mellow it slightly.

Step 5: Prepare the glasses

Fill 4 tall glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes each. If you want an extra-cold, crisp drink, chill the glasses in the refrigerator or freezer for 10 minutes before adding the ice. Add a lime wheel or small pineapple wedge to the inside of each glass if you like a decorative café-style look.

Step 6: Add the sparkling water

Right before serving, pour 2 cups chilled plain sparkling water into the pitcher with the pineapple-lime base. Stir gently once or twice with a long spoon. Avoid vigorous stirring, which can knock out the bubbles. For the fizziest presentation, you can also divide the pineapple-lime base among the glasses first, then top each glass with 1/2 cup sparkling water.

Step 7: Garnish and serve

Pour the Lemongrass Pineapple Fizz into the prepared glasses. Garnish each serving with a pineapple wedge, a lime wheel, a small mint sprig, and a lemongrass swizzle stick. Serve immediately while the drink is cold, bright, and bubbling.

Pro Tips

Use chilled ingredients: Cold pineapple juice, cold syrup, and cold sparkling water keep the drink refreshing and help preserve the bubbles.
Do not boil the lemongrass hard: A gentle 200°F simmer extracts flavor without making the syrup taste grassy or harsh.
Adjust sweetness at the base stage: Before adding sparkling water, add 1 tablespoon more lemongrass syrup for a sweeter drink or 1 tablespoon more lime juice for a sharper finish.
Choose the right pineapple juice: Use 100% pineapple juice with no added sugar if possible. If your juice is very sweet, reduce the syrup to 6 tablespoons.
Keep the bubbles lively: Open the sparkling water just before mixing, and stir only gently.

Variations

Ginger Lemongrass Pineapple Fizz: Add 4 thin slices fresh ginger to the saucepan with the lemongrass syrup, then strain as directed for a warm, spicy edge.
Coconut Pineapple Fizz: Replace 1/2 cup of the pineapple juice with 1/2 cup chilled coconut water for a softer, beachy flavor.
Herbal Thai Basil Fizz: Gently clap 8 Thai basil leaves between your palms and add 2 leaves to each finished glass for a peppery, aromatic garnish.

Storage & Make-Ahead

The lemongrass syrup can be made up to 7 days ahead and stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. The pineapple-lime base can be mixed without the sparkling water up to 24 hours ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator. Do not add sparkling water or ice until just before serving, or the drink will lose its fizz and become diluted. If you have leftover fully mixed fizz, store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but expect the bubbles to soften.

Nutrition (per serving)