Strawberry Pineapple Daiquiri: Flavor, Prep, and Recipe

Strawberry pineapple daiquiri in a coupe glass with strawberry and pineapple garnish

A strawberry pineapple daiquiri is a vibrant, refreshing twist on the classic Cuban daiquiri. It combines the tart sweetness of ripe strawberries with the tang of fresh pineapple, creating a cocktail that's both fruity and bright. This version stays true to the fundamentals: high-quality white rum serves as the backbone, while lime juice and a touch of sweetener balance out the fruit-forward flavors.

What Makes Strawberry and Pineapple Work?

The pairing of strawberries and pineapple in cocktails is more than just visual brightness—the flavors genuinely elevate one another. Strawberries offer gentle acidity and natural sweetness, while pineapple brings tropical, juicy tartness and aromatic complexity. The interplay results in a daiquiri that's crisp, lush, and crowd-pleasing, never cloying.

Strawberry’s berry-sweet notes mellow the sometimes sharp acidity of pineapple.
Pineapple’s high acid counteracts the syrupy side of strawberries, keeping the drink bright and refreshing.
Both fruits combine well with lime juice, ensuring the daiquiri maintains that signature tart, balanced edge.

How to Select and Prepare Your Fruit

Fresh, ripe fruit makes all the difference in a strawberry pineapple daiquiri. When prepping for cocktails, a few key details ensure your drink pops with true fruit intensity—never watered down or bland.

Choose strawberries with bright red color, a glossy sheen, and a prominent strawberry aroma. Avoid bruised or heavily white-tipped berries.
Hull strawberries just before use to keep them juicy. If muddling or blending, quarter them for faster, more even breakdown.
Select pineapple that smells fragrant and gives slightly to pressure at the base. Golden skin is a bonus, but aroma is a better ripeness guide.
Trim off the outer skin and eyes of the pineapple, then cut into small chunks. Remove the tough core for smoother blending and better mouthfeel.

Frozen fruit can substitute if perfectly ripe fresh produce is unavailable. In fact, using frozen strawberries and pineapple helps create a frosty, blended version of the drink—ideal for summer heat.

Fresh strawberries and pineapple chunks on a wooden board

Strawberry Pineapple Daiquiri Recipe (Classic or Frozen)

60 ml white rum
30 ml fresh lime juice
30 ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
30 ml freshly cut pineapple (or 30 ml pineapple puree)
30 ml ripe strawberries, hulled and quartered (or 30 ml strawberry puree)
Ice for shaking (or blending, if making frozen)

How to Make a Strawberry Pineapple Daiquiri

For a shaken version: Muddle strawberries and pineapple thoroughly in a shaker.
Add rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and plenty of ice.
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to chill and integrate flavors.
Fine-strain into a chilled coupe or nick & nora glass.
Garnish with a fresh strawberry and pineapple wedge.
For a frozen version: Use frozen fruits and blend all ingredients with a handful of ice until smooth. Pour into a large coupe or hurricane glass.

Frozen strawberry pineapple daiquiri in a hurricane glass with bright garnish

Tips to Maximize Fresh, Balanced Flavor

Taste your fruit before making the drink. Adjust simple syrup if fruit is especially sweet or tart.
Fine-strain the shaken version for a smoother texture—no distracting seeds or pulp.
Try a dash of saline solution (1 ml) to brighten fruit flavor and accentuate acidity.
Experiment with a split rum base (for example, 30 ml white rum + 30 ml aged Jamaican rum) to add extra dimension.