Looking for that perfectly refreshing cocktail for summer? You need a pina colada! This classic drink is bursting with fresh pineapple and coconut flavors. I’m going to show you how to make a pina colada and leave the mixes at the grocery store.
Why this recipe works
Anyone can buy one of those mixes from the store and throw it in a blender. But honestly, it doesn’t take much more effort to create a fresh pina colada from scratch.
In the summer, you can’t beat a frosty cocktail for your backyard parties. Your friends will keep coming back for more, so be sure to get extra ingredients!
Ingredients you will need
You’ll see that ice is part of the ingredient list. However, you can use frozen pineapple instead!
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
How to Make an Amazing Pina Colada
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. Please scroll down to simply print out the recipe!
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust to your preferences, adding more juice or coconut cream.
- Pour into a hurricane glass.
- Garnish with pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries threaded onto cocktail picks. Don’t forget the cocktail umbrella and colorful straw!
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Cut a fresh pineapple in half lengthwise. Cut those halves in half as well. You can then slice those quarters into wedges.
- You can use white rum or gold rum in a pina colada. Depending on the rum you use, your pina colada will be white or have a yellow tint. Another factor in color is whether you use fresh pineapple and ice, or frozen pineapple.
- If you must skip the garnishes, don’t skip the cocktail umbrellas. There’s something about that little umbrella that transports your mind to a tropical sandy beach!
- Please keep in mind that a hurricane glass generally holds 16-20 ounces. That’s a big glass! So you may find variations in the number of servings you get.
- Make sure your blender has ice crushing capabilities. Some less expensive blenders cannot handle this function.
The pina colada is one of my favorite summer cocktails. I hope you love it too, cheers!
More Summer Drinks
- Watermelon Jello Shots
- Strawberry Mojito
- Sex on the Beach
- Raspberry Gin Rickey
- White Sangria
- Rum Punch
- Mexican Inspired Sangria
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail
- Coconut Mojitos
And finally, if you love your pina coladas but agree we can’t really have them for breakfast, be sure to try our pina colada smoothie!
You can use white rum or gold rum in a pina colada. Depending on the rum you use, your pina colada will be white or have a yellow tint. Another factor in color is whether you use fresh pineapple and ice, or frozen pineapple.
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Pina Colada
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- ¼ cup coconut cream not coconut milk
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup dark rum
- ¼ cup pineapple optional
- ½ cup ice optional
Garnishes
- pineapple wedges, cherries, parasols, etc.
Before You Begin
- Cut a fresh pineapple in half lengthwise. Cut those halves in half as well. You can then slice those quarters into wedges.
- You can use white rum or gold rum in a pina colada. Depending on the rum you use, your pina colada will be white or have a yellow tint. Another factor in color is whether you use fresh pineapple and ice, or frozen pineapple.
- If you must skip the garnishes, don't skip the cocktail umbrellas. There's something about that little umbrella that transports your mind to a tropical sandy beach!
- Please keep in mind that a hurricane glass generally holds 16-20 ounces. That's a big glass! So you may find variations in the number of servings you get.
- Make sure your blender has ice crushing capabilities. Some less expensive blenders cannot handle this function.
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust to your preferences, adding more juice or coconut cream.
- Pour into a glass and garnish as desired.
Nutrition
Amanda Davis
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Kelli says
Is there a way to substitute the rum to make in non alcoholic? 😊
Amanda Formaro says
Yep! Just leave out the rum!
Janet says
Where do I buy coconut cream?
Amanda Formaro says
Any grocery store should carry it! It can usually be found in the ethnic aisle near the Asian ingredients. It’s also found in the healthy foods section as coconut based products are used in a lot of low carb and gluten free cooking.