Roasted Pineapple Morning Spark

Roasted pineapple has a richer flavor than fresh juice, with browned edges that give this soda a lightly caramel-like aroma. Lime restores some sharpness, and the tiny pinch of chili adds warmth rather than a hot-sauce kick. Press the cooled fruit firmly through the sieve to capture its juice. This asks for more effort than opening a carton, but the roasting gives it a clear reason to exist. Serve it cold so the richer fruit flavor still feels refreshing.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Pineapple chunks
• 1/4 oz Lime juice
• 1 tiny pinch Chili powder
• 6 oz Sparkling water, chilled

Make it

1. Heat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Roast the pineapple on a parchment-lined tray for 15–20 minutes until lightly browned at the edges.
2. Cool for about 30 minutes, then mash thoroughly with the lime juice and chili powder. Press through a sieve into a glass.
3. Add the chilled sparkling water slowly, stir once and serve.

Benefits

Lime · a little vitamin C

Lime supplies some vitamin C for protecting cells from oxidative damage; pairing it with pineapple and peppery spice adds another layer to the flavor.

Make room for peppery spice

Peppery spice gives the pineapple and lime a small peppery kick—an aromatic pairing to serve freshly mixed, while the bubbles are lively.