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!
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
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 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.
recipe faq
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.
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.
No it doesn’t. You can serve this drink 2 ways: blended with ice, or shaken and served on the rocks.
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.
Sweeten the mixture with powdered sugar.
Add a tablespoon of fresh lime juice to level out the sweetness.
As the mixture is blended, include crushed pineapple and/or some sweetened shredded coconut.
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.
- HIBISCUS TEA / AGUA DE JAMAICA
- HORCHATA
- PINEAPPLE SHRIMP SKEWERS
- MANGO TANGO SMOOTHIE BOWL
- MARGARITA FRUIT DIP
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!
PIÑA COLADA MIX
- Total Time: 3 Minutes
- Yield: 1 Cocktail 1x
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
- 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
- Add ice to the jar of an industrial blender. If the chunks are large, crush them in the blender (process them) into smaller pieces.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Keywords: pina colada, pina colada mix, frozen pina colada recipe
PIÑA COLADA MIX > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Which tropical drinks do you look forward to enjoying on a beach vacation? Is one of them a piña colada? Join the conversation below!
Love this simple recipe for a drink that screams ‘summer’. I’m saving this to try in the next few weeks! Cheers.
This was such an easy mix to put together! So good!
★★★★★
Yum! What a fun and delicious drink.
★★★★★
I had no idea that making your own pina colada mix at home could be so simple.
★★★★★
Oh, this is definitely going on my must-make list this summer! Coconut cream is heavenly.
★★★★★
This tropical Pina Colada Mix made my evening very special. It’s creamy and delicious. I’m saving this recipe to make it all summer long!
★★★★★
This was such a smooth and delicious way to cool down on a hot day! The perfect drink for summer!
★★★★★
This drink was so refreshing and such a treat when it’s hot outside, thank you!!
★★★★★
I just love a good pina colada! The perfect summertime cocktail. :)
★★★★★
This was my first time making pina colada and it turned out perfectly!
★★★★★
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.
★★★★★