Bring the taste of the islands to your backyard with this tropical pina colada cocktail. This classic, creamy coconut and pineapple drink is the perfect refresher on a hot day.
The sweet richness of the pineapple and coconut combination combined with the refreshing coolness of crushed ice makes it a delightful summertime indulgence. Plus, it's easy to make with just a few ingredients!
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Summer Cocktails
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing quite like a delicious and refreshing cocktail. Whether it’s a mojito, a bubbly wine spritz, a fruity margarita, or a frozen brain-freezing concoction, the best summer cocktail is the perfect way to cool off and beat the heat.
Summertime also means pool parties, backyard barbecues, and holidays, and, of course, you have to include some refreshing cocktails that are sure to hit the spot. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can whip up drinks like this Mermaid Water Drink, Texas Ranch Water, or even these delicious wine slushies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Piña Colada
A Piña Colada is a sweet cocktail made with rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice, that is served blended or on the rocks. It is one of the most popular and recognized tropical drinks, typically garnished with a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, or both.
Piña Colada literally translates to "strained pineapple" in Spanish, a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink.
The original Pina Colada was created in Puerto Rico. Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, is most often credited with the creation of the drink.
The number of calories can vary depending on the ingredients used and the size of the drink. It can range from 200 to 700 (or more). See the recipe card below for nutrition information for this recipe.
Why You'll Love This Pina Colada Recipe
This Caribbean drink has plenty of pineapple, coconut, a little lime, and, of course, rum, all of which just goes to show you why one gets in such a tropical easy-going, feel-good mood.
It really is an easy drink to make and can be made with or without rum. Of course, if you want to really be spot on, you have to add a dark rum floater as well. Now we're talkin'!
Piña Colada Ingredients
What's in a pina colada? A classic pina colada has only 3 ingredients (coconut, pineapple, and rum) but this one has lime juice which adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweet coconut and pineapple. It also has an optional floater.
Here's a handy list of what you'll need for making this frozen pina colada:
- Cream of Coconut
- Pineapple Juice
- Rum
- Lime Juice
- Ice
- Dark Rum (optional floater)
- Pineapple Slice for garnishing
Coconut Cream vs Cream of Coconut
It can be confusing, especially which one to use for making this drink. Here's the difference between coconut cream and cream of coconut:
- Coconut cream does not have any added sugar. It is only the layer of cream skimmed off the top of coconut milk.
- Cream of coconut is coconut cream that is sweetened with sugar. It is sometimes made with coconut meat or coconut milk in addition to the coconut cream.
You want to make a pina colada cocktail with cream of coconut. If you use coconut cream, you'll need to add a sweetener such as simple syrup.
The best cream of coconut for pina colada is either Coco Real in a squeeze bottle or Coco Lopez in a can.
The best coconut cream for pina colada is full-fat.
Pina Colada Rum
The best rum for pina colada is white, gold, or flavored:
- Gold rum, also known as amber rum, is aged and it gives the drink a richer flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel.
- White rum is most commonly used. Bacardi Superior is a popular choice.
- Coconut rum - Malibu or Don Q Coco are great choices.
- Pineapple rum - Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Cruzan, Malibu, or Parrot Bay.
How to Make a Pina Colada
- Pour lime juice into a blender.
- Add pineapple juice.
- Add cream of coconut.
- Pour in rum.
- Add ice, starting with 1 cup and adding it as you go until your preferred thickness is attained.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into mason jars or tall frosty glasses and garnish with fresh pineapple slices, cherries, a tropical umbrella, and a straw. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Here are ideas for making changes to the base ingredients:
- Pina Colada on the Rocks - Blend the ingredients without ice or shake them in a cocktail shaker and pour the drink into glasses filled with ice.
- Pina Colada with Coconut Cream - Use full-fat coconut cream and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup (or more to taste).
- Pina Colada with Coconut Milk - Use full-fat coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup (or more to taste).
- Pina Colada with Fresh Pineapple - Substitute ⅓ or ½ of the ice with frozen pineapple chunks.
- Virgin Pina Colada - To make this a non-alcoholic pina colada, simply substitute the rum with pineapple juice and do not top it with a rum floater.
Here are ideas for other pina colada alcohol instead of rum:
- Pina Colada with Blue Curacao - Adds orange flavor and gives it a light blue color.
- Pina Colada with Gin - Gives it an herbal touch.
- Pina Colada with Grenadine - A float of grenadine makes it a Blushing Pina Colada.
- Pina Colada with Rumchata - Adds a hint of vanilla and cinnamon flavors.
- Pina Colada with Spiced Rum - Adds a hint of ginger, cinnamon, clove, and vanilla flavors.
- Pina Colada with Tequila - Makes it a Mexican pina colada.
- Pina Colada with Vodka - Makes it a Chi Chi cocktail.
Want more delicious colada recipes? Try my other favorites below.
Oh, and don't forget during those long hot summer days, there are always pina colada popsicles!
How to Garnish and Serve a Pina Colada
Pina Coladas are most often served in a tall glass. The best glasses for Pina Colada are hurricane aka poco grande. For a fun touch, use pineapple shaped glasses.
- Pineapple Slice
- Maraschino Cherry
- Colorful Straw
- Cocktail Umbrella
More Cocktail Drink Recipes
Find the best cocktail recipes here on 2CM!
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Pina Colada Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cream of coconut (6 tablespoons)
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 3 ounces rum
- 2 tablespoons lime juice or 1 lime, juiced
- 3 cups ice
- ½ ounce dark rum (optional floater)
- 1 pineapple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Place all except the dark rum floater and garnish in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into tall glasses, add a dark rum floater then garnish with a pineapple slice, a cute cocktail umbrella, and a colorful straw.
Notes
- Pina Colada on the Rocks - Blend the ingredients without ice or shake them in a cocktail shaker and pour the drink into glasses filled with ice.
- Pina Colada with Coconut Milk - Use full-fat coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup (or more to taste).
- Pina Colada with Fresh Pineapple - Substitute ⅓ or ½ of the ice with frozen pineapple chunks.
- Virgin Pina Colada - To make this a non-alcoholic pina colada, simply substitute the rum with pineapple juice and do not top it with a rum floater.
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and more helpful tips. It was first published on July 8, 2015.
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