Portions: 4 servings Calories: 761kcal |
Piña colada (rum, pineapple, and coconut cocktail) is a drink that symbolizes the tropics, beach, and sunny days under palm trees. The world-famous drink from Puerto Rico has become one of the most popular cocktails in the world, and you'll soon see just why I think this is the best piña colada recipe.
By - Last revised . Published Jan 2, 2011.
Why I ❤️ it Recipe Ingredients Video Preparation
Piña colada drink.
Why I ❤️ it
A cocktail made of pineapple, coconut, and rum, piña colada is possibly the world's most famous tropical drink. It is sweet, rich, deep, creamy, and everything you expect from a Caribbean paradise. The good news is that it is very easy to make. And once you do it, you'll be the most popular person amongst your friends.
Puerto Rico has always felt to me like a second home away from home, and I am so grateful for its bountiful gifts to the world, and specifically for this. Thanks, Borinquen!
Piña colada recipe
This free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, and I receive a small commission when you purchase, at no cost to you. Thank you!
Utensils and tools
- Blender
- Cocktail paper umbrellas (optional)
- Tall glasses or hurricane glasses
Ingredients
- 3 cups of diced pineapple chunks
- ½ cup of white rum
- 3 cups of cream of coconut, unsweetened (see notes)
- 3 cups of ice cubes
- ¼ cup of white, granulated sugar, or to taste
- Pineapple wedges to garnish (optional)
Video
Preparation
Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.
Step 1: Blend
In a blender vase, combine pineapple, rum, coconut cream, and ice. Blend until thoroughly combined and the pineapple is blended.
Add the sugar, and blend again to dissolve the sugar. Taste and add extra sugar if you find it necessary (I did not).
Step 2: Serve
Pour equal amounts into 4 tall or hurricane glasses. Garnish each with a pineapple wedge and Moschino cherry (optional).
Serve immediately.
Virgin piña colada
You can make it into a virgin piña colada by leaving out the rum, which makes an attractive, lovely mocktail with a great combination of pineapple of coconut flavor.
Top tips
- There's sweetened and unsweetened coconut cream available in supermarkets. For this recipe, I used unsweetened and added sugar because that's what it's more commonly available outside the Caribbean.
- If you find sweetened cream, leave out the sugar, but you may have to make adjustments to the amount added to make it to your preferred sweetness.
- If you can't find fresh pineapple, you can use frozen pineapple, or canned pineapple slices, though the flavor may change.
Variations
Some people use pineapple juice as opposed to fresh pineapple. This is a far second choice. Nothing beats the taste of fresh pineapple. But if you can't find pineapple, use 12 ounces of pineapple juice (1½ cups) instead of fresh pineapple.
Some people may add a dash of vanilla to theirs, but this isn't the classic one, and I don't.
If you only have dark rum, use that. Golden rum will be fine.
For another summer drink, try this pineapple and coconut limeade and this lemon drop martini.
Serving suggestions
You can decorate with fresh pineapple wedges, maraschino cherries, and paper umbrellas for the full vibe, or just as simple as you can.
Nutritional information
Calories: 761kcal | Carbohydrates: 123g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 115g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 39.4mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg
FAQs
What does "piña colada" mean?
Colada means "strained" in Spanish. If made from fresh pineapple chunks (instead of pineapple juice), piña colada is usually strained to eliminate the unblended pineapple fiber.
Notice I do not strain it; I prefer to blend it enough that the fiber doesn't bother me.
What's piña colada made of?
The classic piña colada is made of fresh pineapple, cream of coconut (some use coconut milk), and white rum in a blender. It is then poured into hurricane glasses and garnished with maraschino cherries, pineapple wedges, and the ubiquitous cocktail umbrella.
How alcoholic is a piña colada?
Piña colada is typically not a very strong drink. The amount of alcohol can, however, vary depending on the bartender's particular style, but it tends to be more of a sugary, fruity cocktail. You have to be careful, though, because it's easy to overindulge.
History
The popular drink originates in the neighboring island of Puerto Rico, possibly its most famous export. This pineapple, coconut, and rum cocktail is Puerto Rico's official beverage, and it tastes like a breezy stroll through Old San Juan.
At the end of the 70s Rupert Holmes unleashed upon the world his magnum opus about Piña Colada, unexciting marriages, and unfaithful spouses in the age before internet dating. This further cemented piña colada as one of the most famous cocktails in the world and a cultural phenomenon.
"If you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain
If you're not into yoga, if you have half a brain
If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape
I'm the love that you've looked for, come with me, and escape"
Print card
This is just a printer-friendly summary; some useful details are found in the recipe above.
Piña Colada |Recipe+Video| Rum Pineapple Coconut Drink
Ingredients
- 3 cup diced pineapple
- ½ cup white rum
- 3 cup coconut cream unsweetened
- 3 cup ice cubes
- ¼ cup sugar white, granulated, or to taste
- Pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries to garnish
Instructions
Blend
- In a blender vase, combine pineapple, rum, coconut cream, and ice. Blend until thoroughly combined and the pineapple is blended.Add the sugar, and blend again to dissolve the sugar. Taste and add extra sugar if you find it necessary (I did not).
Serve
- Pour equal amounts into 4 tall or hurricane glasses. Garnish each with a pineapple wedge and Maraschino cherry (optional).Serve immediately.
Nutrition
By , published Jan 2, 2011 on Tia Clara
MIRNA
THANKS FOR THE RECIPE
Geromo Polanco
Oh!!!!! Dios mio hay un Dios en este mundo...: yeeehaaaas!!!!' Estoy casado con mi Bella esposa "que no cocinar agua caliente" me entenderas mi dilemma" I estoy en la Marina de guerra" MARINE CORP" SEMPER FI"
Tia Clara
You made me smile. 🙂
Tonia
That looks great. I love coconut.
Ivette Hernandez
I'm newyorican with a Dominican lady inside, enjoy everthhing her. Thanks for offering so wonderful recipes so full of flavor and Yummy. 😍
Clarissa
Yes!! I love this piña colada. 😀
Chantal
Me gusta!!! Hablo español and ingles, y tu blog is perfect.