A sweet, fruity, coconutty, classic piña colada will take you to the tropics with every sip. Whether blended or shaken, enjoy this refreshing summer cocktail for celebrations, romantic date night, or just because you can.
Whenever I hear the words piña colada, it automatically brings images of the beach to my mind. The relaxing sounds of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and that clean, salty air melt all my stress away.
Though the beach delivers the best vibe, enjoying a refreshing cocktail at home with friends and family is equally relaxing. Plus, we get to have unlimited refills without breaking the bank.
Where the Piña Colada Came From
Literally translated, it means strained pineapple, which refers to pineapple juice. However, I’m leaving in all that wonderful pulp. The original recipe was forever lost with the death of its inventor, Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, in the early 1800s. But legend has it that pineapple juice, coconut, and rum were all it took.
How to Make a Piña Colada
- Peel and chop the pineapple (or drain a can of pineapple chunks), and add it to the blender with ice, rum, and cream of coconut.
- Puree it all, pour it into a couple of glasses, and enjoy.
Tips and Recipe Hacks
- While my recipe calls for both white and dark rum, you can use whatever you have on hand. Spiced and coconut rum are equally delicious.
- Feel free to leave the rum out for kid-friendly cocktails, or turn it into a smoothie with frozen bananas and strawberries.
- The last time I made this recipe, there was no Coco Lopez to be found in my pantry. So I heated 1 cup (240ml) whole-fat coconut milk, ¾ cup (175g) sugar, and a pinch of salt, and simmered it until the mixture became slightly translucent. Chill it and use it like commercially made cream of coconut without all the emulsifiers.
- If you prefer your drinks shaken, not blended, use pineapple juice instead of fresh fruit. Combine all the ingredients in a shaker, shake for about 30 seconds or until the shaker is frosty cold, and pour.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can save time by pureeing everything except the ice in a blender (not more than the day before). Then puree it with the ice when your guests arrive. Optionally, pour the piña colada over the ice to avoid pulling out a noisy blender.
Consuming this drink within 24 hours will give you the best flavor experience. After that, the fats and liquids begin separating, and the flavor diminishes.
What to Eat With What You Drink
This fruity tropical piña colada loves pairing with spicy Caribbean foods like jerk shrimp, coconut shrimp, pineapple black bean salsa with chips, and grilled pineapple. Jamaican curry chicken is a definite possibility for a heavier meal, while a simple chicken quesadilla offers a lighter lunch option.
More Homemade Fun Drinks
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in April 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.