October 27, 2023
Review RecipePina Colada
Table of Contents
The drink of the tropics, this pina colada is a classic cocktail made with rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice. Whether you’re on a beach somewhere or just dreaming of being there, nothing beats this frozen delight to cool down on a hot day.
Pina Colada Ingredients
This recipe is a delight with a perfect balance of creamy coconut, sweet pineapple juice, and a touch of coconut rum for a mild alcoholic warmth.
Overall, it’s a lusciously rich and refreshing cocktail that captures the essence of paradise in each sip.
You’ll need:
- 6 ounces of cream of coconut
- 6 ounces of pineapple juice, canned
- 4 ounces of Malibu rum (or coconut rum)
- 4 cups of small ice cubes
- Pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, and/or whipped cream for garnish (optional)
PRO TIP:
Make sure you buy cream of coconut and not coconut milk. Cream of coconut is thicker and richer than coconut milk and is the sweetened version of coconut cream. You can usually find the cream of coconut in the alcohol aisle of most grocery stores near the margarita mixes.
Substitutions And Additions
RUM: We love using coconut rum, but you can substitute spiced rum instead for this simple recipe. Omit the rum for a virgin pina colada.
PINEAPPLE JUICE: I like to get the little mini (6-ounce) cans of pineapple juice to keep on hand in my pantry.
These are great for this recipe since 6 ounces is what you need, and they come in a 4 or 6-pack.
This way, I do not need to open a large bottle of pineapple juice if I am only using it to make a couple of cocktails.
COCONUT MILK: Using coconut milk in place of the cream of coconut will not work in this recipe.
Coconut milk has a much thinner consistency. And don’t mix up the cream of coconut with coconut cream, which is the unsweetened version.
You want cream of coconut for this recipe.
How To Make This Pina Colada Recipe
This easy cocktail will whip up in your blender in just a few minutes, and before you know it, you’ll be relaxing and sipping your drink.
STEP ONE: Blend together the cream of coconut, canned pineapple juice, rum, and ice until smooth and thick.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
You can add a splash of heavy cream to the mixture in the blender for an even creamier drink, but it is thick and creamy as is.
STEP TWO: Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
STEP THREE: Top with a little bit of whipped cream, if desired. Garnish glasses with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
PRO TIP:
You can never go wrong with a paper umbrella in your drink to fancy it up.
How To Serve
With its creamy blend of pineapple and coconut flavors, this tropical cocktail is perfect for sipping on a hot day.
Add our fruit salsa and cinnamon chips and cucumber bites for a little snack to enjoy on the side.
Balance the sweetness of the pina colada with some spicy shrimp or fish tacos. The cool, creamy cocktail will provide a refreshing contrast to the heat of the tacos.
For a non-alcoholic version, check out our pina colada mocktail recipe.
Our strawberry lemonade cocktail and red wine slushie are two more adult beverages to keep you cool all summer long.
MORE ALCOHOLIC DRINK RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: This drink is meant to be served immediately and won’t keep well in the fridge.
IN THE FREEZER: We do not recommend freezing this drink. It is best made fresh.
Why We Love This Recipe
TROPICAL PARADISE IN A GLASS: This pina colada captures the essence of a tropical paradise with its creamy coconut, sweet pineapple, and coconut rum.
CREAMY AND REFRESHING: The cream of coconut adds a rich, velvety texture, while the pineapple juice provides a refreshing fruity kick.
EASY TO MAKE: With clear step-by-step instructions and tips, this recipe is beginner-friendly, ensuring that anyone can easily whip up a pina colada at home.
With layers of rich, creamy coconut and pineapple flavors, it’s no wonder this tropical drink is such a favorite. Plus, this pina colada is perfect for those hot summer days when you need something refreshing and delicious.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For this classic drink, a hurricane glass is the popular choice but you can also use any other large glass that you have on hand.
If you don’t have coconut rum on hand, you can easily use a white rum or spiced rum instead for this tasty drink.
We would recommend making these drinks when you are ready to enjoy them as they will not maintain their consistency as the ice melts.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Pineapple Spears in Malibu Rum
- Wendys Frosty
- Peach Margarita
- Margarita Popsicles
- Orange Creamsicle Cocktail
- Air Fryer Pineapple
Pina Colada
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream of coconut
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 4 ounces Malibu rum, or coconut rum
- 4 cups small ice cubes
- Pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, and/or whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Blend together the cream of coconut, pineapple juice, rum, and ice until smooth and thick.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
- Top with whipped cream, if desired. Garnish glasses with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry.
Notes
- Make sure you buy cream of coconut and not coconut milk. Cream of coconut is thicker and richer than coconut milk and is the sweetened version of coconut cream. You can usually find the cream of coconut in the alcohol aisle of most grocery stores near the margarita mixes.
- You can add a splash of heavy cream to the mixture in the blender for an even creamier drink, but it is thick and creamy as is.
- You can never go wrong with a paper umbrella in your drink to fancy it up.
Nutrition
Even More Recipes You’ll Love
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- Pineapple Rum Punch
- Texas Tea
- Mimosa Float
- Strawberry Champagne Floats
- Pineapple Cooler
- Mango Mojito
- Pink Flamingo Drink
- Rainbow Cocktail
- Prickly Pear Margarita Recipe
- Mint Margarita
- Pina Colada Jello Shots
- Malibu Bay Breeze
- Wine Floats
- Limoncello Spritz
- Peach Schnapps Drink
- Alcoholic Root Beer Float
- Screwdriver Drink
- Strawberry Mojito
Comments
Jill says
A delicious classic!