PIÑA COLADA MIX

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This is the BEST piña colada mix! A bartender from a luxury beach resort shared the hotel’s piña colada recipe. These rum cocktails taste exactly like those enjoyed in coconuts on tropical vacations with toes in the sand!

PIN PIÑA COLADA MIX!

Two homemade pina colada. Glasses are garnished with pineapple, cherries and a bamboo straw.

THE ORIGINAL PIÑA COLADA RECIPE

Piña Colada means “strained pineapple.” This iconic drink originated in Puerto Rico in 1825, with famed Pirate of the Caribbean Roberto Cofresí.

In San Juan during the 1950s, a method was developed for extracting coconut cream from the pulp (Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut). Since then, pre-made coconut cream for piña coladas has become standard.

Bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero from Caribe Hilton is credited with perfecting this fruity boozy beverage in 1954. He continued serving it at the hotel’s Beachcomber Bar for 35 years until his retirement in 1985.

In 1978, this island drink became Puerto Rico’s National Cocktail.

Beneath palm trees on sun-drenched beaches, generations of vacationers have enjoyed this Caribbean beach-bar drink. It’s delicious scent mixes with coastal air and the fragrance of coconut suntan lotion. It smells like summer!

ingredients

This classic piña colada recipe is simple to make at home! All you need are a few basic ingredients that are easy to find at most neighborhood markets.

Here’s what you’ll need.

  • Ice cubes / crushed ice
  • Bacardi rum
  • Coconut cream (not coconut milk)
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Pineapple juice
  • OPTIONAL GARNISHES: Fresh pineapple and stemmed maraschino cherries
Ingredients for homemade pina colada mix.

THE BEST piña COLADA MIX

Part of the year I live in the tropics right on the beach. I’m just steps away from big-name, luxury all-inclusive resorts.

Every day the blenders are going. Bartenders are busy serving up tropical cocktails like this piña colada mix!

Here’s how to make this vacation cocktail at home:

  • STEP 1: Add ice to the jar of an industrial blender. If the chunks are large, crush them in the blender (process them) into smaller pieces.
  • STEP 2: Add rum, coconut cream, heavy whipping cream, and pineapple juice to the blender jar. Blend about 15 seconds. Stop when you no longer hear the crunching sound of ice breaking up.
  • STEP 3: Pour the piña colada into a tall narrow glass, a hurricane glass, or a hulled-out pineapple or coconut.
  • STEP 4: Serve this ice-cold drink immediately! Don’t give the creamy mixture a chance to separate into foam and liquid.

TIP FOR A SMOOTHER TEXTURE: To avoid unpleasant chunks of ice in the finished cocktail, briefly crush ice in the blender before adding other ingredients.

When sipping this drink through a straw, you don’t want chunks of ice blocking the passageway.

How to make a pina colada step by step as shown in 4-overhead images.

HOW TO GARNISH THIS DRINK RESORT-STYLE

Insert 2 to 3 leaves from the crown of a pineapple into the glass. Place a wedge of fresh pineapple on the rim of the glass.

Complete the tropical look with a stemmed maraschino cherry and a bamboo straw.

If using a cocktail pick, thread cubes of pineapple onto the stick with a cherry. If you have them on hand, include a parasol drink umbrella.

Tropical pina colada served at a beach-front resort. Glass is garnished with a pineapple wedge.

recipe faq

CAN I MAKE PIÑA COLADA MIX WITH COCONUT MILK?

This is not recommended. Coconut milk has the thin consistency of cow’s milk. Coconut cream is richer and thicker. It makes for a full-bodied pina colada with the consistency of a smoothie.

BEST RUM FOR PIÑA COLADA?

At resorts everywhere, Barcardi Rum is a favorite when whipping up these tropical cocktails. Although white rum is often used, the Caribe Hilton uses Barcardi Gold Rum. For home parties, Malibu Caribbean Rum with coconut liqueur is also a good choice. At only 42 proof, guests can enjoy a couple of these fruity cocktails without getting too tipsy.

DOES THIS TROPICAL DRINK HAVE TO BE BLENDED?

No it doesn’t. You can serve this drink 2 ways: blended with ice, or shaken and served on the rocks.

BLENDED CORRECTLY, WHAT SHOULD THE DRINK LOOK LIKE?

This cocktail should look white in color and have a thick, smooth, even texture. Served immediately, the drink should not be separated into clear liquid and froth. The thickness should be similar to a smoothie.

HOW TO SWEETEN THIS BEVERAGE?

Sweeten the mixture with powdered sugar.

MY COCKTAIL IS TOO SWEET, WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX IT?

Add a tablespoon of fresh lime juice to level out the sweetness.

HOW TO THICKEN A PIÑA COLADA?

As the mixture is blended, include crushed pineapple and/or some sweetened shredded coconut.

Original pina colada recipe served in a glass at a tropical beach bar.

MORE TROPICAL RECIPES TO MAKE ASAP

If you loved this frozen piña colada recipe, you’ll also enjoy these tropical eats and drinks! They’re perfect for summer parties, backyard gatherings, and entertaining around the pool.

RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Friends and family say this is the best piña colada mix!

It reminds everyone of tropical cocktails ordered from a beach bar on the sand shaded by a thatched palapa roof.

If you enjoyed these drinks, give the recipe a 5-star rating in the comments. And share it with a friend!

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com
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Two homemade pina colada. Glasses are garnished with pineapple, cherries and a bamboo straw.

PIÑA COLADA MIX


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Description

This piña colada mix is the boozy tropical beverage sipped from a coconuts on the beach with toes in the sand. The recipe was shared by a bartender from a luxury ocean-front resort. Enjoy it by the pool on hot summer days.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice
  • 2 oz. (1/4 cup) Bacardi rum
  • 1 1/2 oz. (3 tablespoons) coconut cream
  • 1 1/2 oz. (3 tablespoons) heavy whipping cream
  • 6 oz. (3/4 cup) pineapple juice

OPTIONAL GARNISHES: Pineapple wedges and stemmed maraschino cherries


Instructions

  1. Add ice to the jar of an industrial blender. If the chunks are large, crush them in the blender (process them) into smaller pieces. 
  2. Add rum, coconut cream, heavy whipping cream, and pineapple juice to the blender jar. Blend about 15 seconds. Stop when you no longer hear the crunching sound of ice breaking up.
  3. Pour the piña colada into a tall narrow glass, a hurricane glass, or a hulled-out pineapple or coconut. Serve this ice-cold drink immediately! Don’t give the creamy mixture a chance to separate into foam and liquid.

Equipment

Notes

BEST RUM FOR PIÑA COLADA MIX: At resorts everywhere, Barcardi Rum is a favorite when whipping up these tropical cocktails. Although white rum is often used, the Caribe Hilton uses Barcardi Gold Rum. For home parties, Malibu Caribbean Rum with coconut liqueur is also a good choice. At only 42 proof, guests can enjoy a couple of these fruity cocktails without getting too tipsy.

DOES THIS DRINK HAVE TO BE BLENDED? No it doesn’t. You can serve this drink 2 ways: blended with ice, or shaken and served on the rocks.

HOW TO SWEETEN THIS BEVERAGE: Sweeten the mixture with powdered sugar.

  • Prep Time: 3 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 Minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American / Puerto Rican
Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

PIÑA COLADA MIX > JOIN THE CONVERSATION

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14 Comments

  1. Nothing screams summer like a Pina Colada! I can’t wait to try this recipe out. I already know I am going to fall in love.