Gluten-Free Tepache Mocktail

This vibrant mocktail bursts with the tropical sweetness of pineapple, balanced by a hint of spice and a refreshing fizz. It's a delightful, alcohol-free beverage perfect for any occasion, offering a complex flavor profile and a satisfyingly smooth texture.

Prep: 8 min Total: 1450 min Serves: 2

At a glance: This easy drinks and smoothies recipe yields 2 servings in about 24h 10m (8 min prep). It uses 7 ingredients — including pineapple rind and core, filtered water, piloncillo or dark brown sugar — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 23, 2026. Browse more drinks and smoothies recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Shop links in the ingredient list are affiliate links and do not change the recipe.

Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Tepache Mocktail: When preparing this drinks and smoothies recipe, when sourcing ingredients like piloncillo or sparkling water, always check for gluten-free certification. Be vigilant about preventing cross-contamination in your kitchen, especially if you handle gluten-containing ingredients regularly. In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Tepache Mocktail: This recipe relies on naturally gluten-free ingredients. It's important to ensure that any sweeteners like piloncillo or brown sugar are processed in a way that avoids cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Ingredients

Shop links on this page are for piloncillo or dark brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves. Buy the package that says gluten-free. A shared production line is the usual risk with these pantry items. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Confirm the product is labeled gluten-free before you buy.

1 lb pineapple rind and core (from about 1 ripe pineapple)
1 quart filtered water
0.5 cup piloncillo or dark brown sugar Shop
1 stick cinnamon Shop
3 whole cloves Shop
1 cup ice cubes
1 cup sparkling water or club soda

Instructions

1 In a large glass jar or food-grade container, combine the pineapple rind and core, filtered water, piloncillo, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. Stir well to ensure the piloncillo begins to dissolve.
2 Cover the container loosely with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel secured with a rubber band. This allows air to circulate while keeping contaminants out. Let the mixture ferment at room temperature for 18-24 hours, or until you see small bubbles forming and a slight tangy aroma developing.
3 After the initial fermentation, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pitcher, discarding the solids. You should have a fragrant, slightly sweet liquid. For a more intense flavor, you can let it ferment for an additional 12-24 hours, but be mindful of over-fermentation, which can lead to an alcoholic taste.
4 To serve, fill two glasses with ice cubes. Pour about half of the tepache base into each glass, then top with sparkling water or club soda for a refreshing fizz. Stir gently to combine.
5 Taste the mocktail and adjust sweetness if desired by adding a touch more piloncillo or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Serve immediately and enjoy the complex, fruity, and slightly spiced flavors.

Nutrition (per serving)

171

Calories

Protein

41g

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

107mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Ceylon cinnamon is milder and sweeter; Cassia (the common kind) is more pungent — both work here.
Blend smoothies from frozen fruit for a thicker, colder result without diluting with ice.
Chill the assembled dish for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Tepache Mocktail?

Check pineapple rind and core, filtered water, piloncillo or dark brown sugar before they go into Gluten-Free Tepache Mocktail. When sourcing ingredients like piloncillo or sparkling water, always check for gluten-free certification. Be vigilant about preventing cross-contamination in your kitchen, especially if you handle gluten-containing ingredients regularly. In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.

Learn More

Hidden Sources of Gluten You Never Knew Existed

Discover surprising foods and products that contain hidden gluten.

Share on X Save to Pinterest

Gluten Free Recipes team

Editorial team for Gluten Free Recipes

Pages on Gluten Free Recipes are published under the byline "Gluten Free Recipes team". That is the name of the site's editorial team. Recipes are written with AI tools and automation, and the team reviews flagged items. We check each page before it is published. How we make our recipes.

Recipes and images on this site are AI-assisted. They pass automated checks, and the team reviews flagged items.