It’s Time For Some Frozen Drink Fun - 3 Chilly Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Coffee Recipes You’ll Want To Enjoy On Repeat
Key Takeaways
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee is an intriguing yet irresistible combination born of a love for bold, smooth coffee and the classic flavors of what some call an American classic dessert (1). Additions of vanilla and buttery brown sugar serve to sweeten java while also providing a near creamy richness, while notes of tangy, tropical pineapple balance bitterness and complement the slight acidity of coffee (5). So here, we’re building upon these incredible tastes, providing you with three fun and flavorful frozen pineapple upside down cake coffee recipes to sip and savor as often as you’d like.
- Sunday Sippin’ - a frozen, tropical coffee treat made with pineapple juice, cold brew, coconut milk, and brown sugar, topped with brown sugar whipped cream
- American Classic On Ice - classic americano turned tropical using pineapple juice in place of water blended with pineapple upside down cake coffee in place of espresso
- Forget The Lime And The Coconut - frozen pineapple upside down cake coffee cocktail
Pineapple upside down cake - light, sweet, and slightly tart cake with a caramelized brown sugar-coated tropical fruit topping - what’s not to love!
This dessert is commonly considered an American classic (1).
First deemed as an elegant offering for “glamorous company” in the 1920s with its seemingly exotic tropical flare, then truly living in the limelight throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s (2).
In its heyday, pineapple upside down cake eventually became the quintessential simple treat, a classic offering to whip up when entertaining guests of any kind…even the perfect dessert for those ordinary evenings at home when you simply felt like baking something yummy earlier that afternoon (2).
While many still enjoy this tasty dessert today, it has somewhat faded into the background, perhaps making room for more intriguing ways to savor this fabulous flavor combination.
So, how else could you enjoy a treat that’s light, sweet, and slightly tart, boasting flavors of caramelized brown sugar combined with the bright, tropical, and tangy tastes of pineapple?
Maybe these flavors could be savored in ice cream?
Or, what about in a frozen drink?
Even better…what if they were infused into a tasty cup of frozen/blended coffee?!
Sounds intriguingly incredible, doesn't it!
And, for those of you who might be raising a few eyebrows to such a notion, this combination just might top the “don’t knock it ‘til you try it” list.
Buttery brown sugar, the ingredient that yields the classic caramel-like glaze which mingles with pineapple atop a pineapple upside down cake is a true winner when combined with coffee.
Brown sugar is often described as a desirable go-to for sweetening your brew, specifically when you’re looking to add a richer flavor (compared to white sugar) to your cup (3).
Of course, the classic white cake base of this dessert boasts familiar flavors of vanilla, which effortlessly pair with any brew - the vanilla adding a near creamy texture and sweet flavor while also softening the inherent bitterness of coffee (4).
Then, there’s the pineapple, and here’s where many folks begin questioning such a combination.
Sure, brown sugar and vanilla are no-brainers when it comes to coffee, but pineapple?
Yes, it’s sweet, however, the tangy, acidic, brightness of pineapple often doesn’t come to the forefront of our minds when we’re seeking something fun and tasty to liven up our beloved cup of coffee…but, maybe it should?
Pineapple, specifically pineapple juice in small amounts, when added to coffee, serves your cup by balancing its bitterness (5).
Then, it also complements this brew as both possess varying levels of acidity.
That’s right, this unlikely pair becomes more and more likely as we venture deeper into the value each taste brings to a single cup.
And, when it comes to enjoying a cup in the late summer heat, you simply can’t go wrong with a frozen sip of this tropical fruit infused flavor combination!
3 Chilly Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Coffee Recipes You’ll Want To Enjoy On Repeat
1- Sunday Sippin’
I once heard someone refer to August as the Sunday of summer, a time when we’re all trying to soak up the last of the summer heat and sunshine before cooler temps arrive.
Then, I’ve also heard of August as the peak of the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.”
Of course, in that tune, Nat King Cole sang of these days favoring treats of “soda, and pretzels, and beer,” but we’re more accustomed to think of options which contain cool, icy, refreshing coffee!
And that’s exactly what this recipe delivers - a cool, icy, tropical, refreshing, java treat that’s perfect for metaphorical Sunday sippin’.
In other words, feel free to sip to your heart’s content as the summer sun still warms and the skies are blue!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee
- 4 ounces coconut milk
- 1-ounce canned pineapple juice (**see note in recipe)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar, divided
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Ice
Instructions
- Add heavy cream and 2 tablespoons brown sugar to a chilled mixing bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, then set aside.
- Add ice, cold brew, coconut milk, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and canned pineapple juice to a blender and blend until smooth. **Pineapple contains bromelain, and this enzyme can cause milk (even nondairy options like coconut milk) to curdle. To prevent curdling, using canned pineapple juice is recommended as this has been heated to inactivate this enzyme. If using fresh pineapple juice, simmer it on the stovetop for roughly 5 minutes and chill prior to using (6) to avoid curdling.
- Pour blended pineapple coffee into a tall glass, top with brown sugar whipped cream, and enjoy!
2- American Classic On Ice
The Americano is said to be one of the most popular coffee beverages. It’s actually the most sold drink in the US (7).
This drink is essentially diluted espresso, made of 1 part espresso or really strong coffee and 2-3 parts water (8).
And, while at first thought, it’d be easy to leave this classic undisturbed, we couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if we replaced the water component of an Americano with pure, sweet, tropical pineapple juice.
So, before going all in, I thought I’d scour the web to see if anyone else had the same curiosity…and, it turns out this concoction is actually a welcomed brew in Thailand (9)!
One blogger detailed a popular trend of blending espresso or cold brew with juice and shared that pineapple juice was indeed her favorite mix-in (9), so I thought I’d give it a go…and it’s amazing!
Of course, I simply had to give it a bit of an upgrade to make this one a true pineapple upside down cake Americano - you know, a little brown sugar, and a run in the blender - a perfect pairing for flavor, summer heat, and pure refreshment!
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cold brewed (concentrate is best for stronger flavor) Lifeboost Pineapple Upside
- Down Cake Coffee
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ice
Instructions
- Add strong cold brew, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and ice to a blender. Blend on high until smooth.
- For best enjoyment, pour this one in a fancy glass with an umbrella garnish and sip in the sun. Of course, you can sip any way you choose, just enjoy!
3- Forget The Lime And The Coconut
You’ll definitely want to drink this one up, but we’re trading the lime for some pineapple juice and swapping the actual coconut for some coffee.
All the tropical vibes you feel when jamming to this tune (you know you’ve been singing it since reading this recipe title/name), but with coffee…and pineapple rum…and well, you’ll have to check out the recipe for the rest!
If there was ever a way to enjoy a tasty, frozen coffee cocktail - this is it (10)!!
Bonus - It serves a crowd!
So, feel free to serve this up at your next pool party, and feel free to invite all your coffee-loving friends to give this one a try!
Ingredients (serves 8)
- 8 ounces cold brewed (concentrate for a strong coffee flavor) Lifeboost Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee
- 1 can frozen pina colada mix (such as Bacardi mixers)
- 2 cups pineapple rum
- 5 cups ice
Instructions
- Combine cold brew, pina colada mix, pineapple rum, and ice in a blender, and blend on high for at least 30 seconds.
- Divide amongst 8 chilled cocktail glasses and enjoy!
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Pineapple Upside-Down
Disclaimer: Coffee contains caffeine and you should consult with a health care professional with any concerns you might have on the effects of coffee on your health and well being. Additionally, the way coffee is grown, low acid coffee, decaf coffee, as well as different roast types (light, medium, dark, etc.) can alter caffeine levels. If you have questions about the caffeine levels or pH levels of our coffee, please reach out to our support team for clarification. If you have any concerns with how our coffee, or any product will affect you or your health, consult with a health professional directly.
Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.
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- https://quaintcooking.com/2020/04/08/the-history-of-pineapple-upside-down-cake/ (opens in new tab)
- https://www.tastingtable.com/1763553/brown-sugar-vs-white-sugar-coffee-difference/ (opens in new tab)
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- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pineapple-and-milk#recipe-tips (opens in new tab)
- https://medium.com/@coffeesesh/5-most-popular-coffee-drinks-in-america-a10738b3641a (opens in new tab)
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