Pineapple juice is an underrated or, at the very least, underutilized beverage. It’s sweet, it’s tart, and it’s packed with vitamin C, but for some reason it’s never achieved refrigerator-staple status like orange or apple juice. Anyway, if you haven’t had it in a while or only think of it as a mixer that comes in a little pull-tab can behind a bar, I’m excited to remind you that pineapple juice is good. as. hell.
For this taste test, the Sporked team was joined by Trevor Talks Too Much host Trevor Evarts, who associates pineapple juice with Malibu rum and playing video games alone in his room. We tried more than a dozen brands to find the fruitiest, juiciest pineapple juice you can buy—whether or not you have a bottle of coconut rum on hand.
The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.
- Nature’s Nectar Pineapple Juice
This juice from Aldi is simultaneously smooth and tart, and we all really, really loved it. It’s smooth, but has an almost citrusy bite that was missing from most of the other juices we tried. “I feel like some kind of bougie lady on a beach,” Sporked editorial assistant Naajia Shukri said upon taking a sip. Truly, it’s like a tropical vacation in a carton (which, granted, doesn’t sound like much of a vacation). In my notes I jotted, “This is the best by far,” and it really was.
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- RW Knudsen Family Just Pineapple Juice
You might not expect a really good pineapple juice from a company with a Swedish name, but the Knudsens pulled it off with this little bottle of shelf-stable juice. It doesn’t have the tartness or bite of some of the refrigerated varieties we tried, but there’s absolutely a place for this sweet stuff. Namely, in your pantry until that rainy day rolls around when you desperately need a rum (or vodka or gin) and pineapple juice cocktail to brighten things up. This one runs a little thick and can really hold up to a shot of liquor.
Credit: Merc / Target
- Trader Joe’s Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice
Trader Joe’s cold pressed juices are extremely good (we recently tried their cold pressed grapefruit juice and loved it; ranking coming soon). This juice packs a lot of fresh pineapple flavor into a small container. It’s basically like biting into a fresh slice of pineapple and goes down super smooth. If want a real thirst quencher, this is your jam.
Credit: Merc / Sporked
- Signature Select 100% Pineapple Juice
It was a fight to the finish between this and Dole, but this store brand juice from the Albertsons chain of grocery stores edged out its competition just slightly by virtue of not having that slight tinny flavor that can accompany a canned juice. If you’re looking for something cheap and reliable, you’ll like this.
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- Dole 100% Pineapple Juice
Dole is a big name in pineapple juice and there’s something pleasantly nostalgic about its flavor (can and all). It isn’t from concentrate, is super smooth, and is really cheap too. Next time you’re having a party, combine a few cans of this with some other juices and a little Sprite and, voila, you have a simple, delicious punch. Spike it if it’s that kind of party.
Credit: Merc / Target
- Simply Tropical Juice Drink
This would have ranked higher, but it’s not technically a straight-up pineapple juice since it includes mango too. But, man, is it delicious. “Wow. That is a delight,” Trevor said when he took a sip. We also tried a tropical blend from Tropicana, but Trevor liked that this one “a little more balanced” and “a little more refreshing.” Agree. If you’re not devoted to pure pineapple, give this a shot.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
Best of the Best
Best as a Mixer
Best Drinkable
Best Baseline
Best for Punch
Best Blend
Other products we tried: Lakewood Pure Pineapple, Tropicana Pineapple Mango, Great Value Pineapple Juice, Sprouts Pineapple Juice, Langers Pineapple Juice, Kroger Pineapple Juice, Libby’s Pineapple Juice
Film your own taste test at home and share with us using #SporkedTasteTest for a chance to be featured on our social pages!
I love this and love Sporked, I really would like to see you’re ranking of orange juices!