Summer in a glass! This 3-ingredient pina colada recipe is all you need to make the perfect pina colada at home. So easy!
Oooooooooh, you guys. Do you see that up there? THAT is summer in a glass! This pina colada recipe will make you feel like you're lounging on the beach in the tropics. Oh yes.
I first discovered pina coladas on my honeymoon on Maui (soooooo cliche, I KNOW!). It was love at first sip friends. Love. At. First. Sip.
I've never been much of a sweet drink lover, let alone a rum lover (except that disguisting classy Bacardi Limon phase in college. Whoa). But there's just something about the blend of pineapple juice and coconut that makes rum taste sooooo delicious. Blended with ice, these are all frothy and smoothie-like, and boozy as hell. YESSSS! Like I said, love guys, love.
So, what's in a pina colada?
You guys, there only THREE ingredients in a pina colada recipe.
- Pineapple juice
- Cream of coconut
- Rum
Unless you include ice, and then there's four. But pineapple juice, cream of coconut, rum, and ice are all you need to make one!
More refreshing cocktails for ya:
What kind of rum to use
Light rum, also known as white rum or silver rum is the best in a pina colada. It is clear and has a light rum flavor. Perfect for letting the pineapple and coconut flavors shine.
You can use gold rum if you have it on hand, but the darker the rum, the more flavor it will have and the more it will distract from the tropical flavors you are looking for in a pina colada.
How to make a pina colada
There are 2 ways you can make a pina colada. Shaken in a cocktail shaker or blended in a blender.
- Shaken in a cocktail shaker: Pour the pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and rum into a large cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until the outside is frosty, about 30 seconds. Pour over ice into a pina colada glass.
- Blended in a blender: Add the pineapple juice, cream of coconut, rum, and ice to a blender and blend until frothy, but still icy. Pour into a pina colada glass.
Pro tip: To make a frozen pina colada, freeze some cream of coconut in an ice cube tray. Replace the ice cubes in the recipe with half frozen cream of coconut cubes and half frozen pineapple chunks! YUM!
How to make a pina colada without alcohol
Easy, just leave out the rum. Yep, that's it! Blend together some pineapple juice and cream of coconut with some ice in a blender. Enjoy!
Are you a whiskey lover? Check out this list of the best summer whiskey cocktails!
Pina colada recipe
Recipe
Pina colada recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ⅔ cup cream of coconut
- ⅓ cup white or silver rum
- 3 cups ice cubes*
- pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Blend 1 cup pineapple juice, ⅔ cup cream of coconut, and ⅓ cup rum in a blender. Add 3 cups of ice cubes and blend until frothy, but still icy.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with pineapple wedges and cherries.
Notes
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, please let me know on social media or in the comments below! Leave a star rating in your comment or tag me on Instagram with #Rhubarbarians.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting Rhubarbarians and the brands I recommend. If you’re looking for a group of people cooking vegetarian recipes through the seasons, join us on Facebook in our vegetarian and vegan recipes group!
Hope you enjoy,
Trish
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? GET FREE WEEKLY RECIPES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX! SIGN UP HERE!
TIMOTHY Paul HINCHLIFF
Thanks, Trish! Used the ice cube tray method. Perfectly smooth. Mixed the pineapple juice with the coconut cream and poured into ice cube trays. Froze for a day. Broke out the Ninja, added the rum, then the ice cubes. Blend for 10 seconds. Perfect slushy!
Debra
Um....how did I not know it was so easy to make these? I'm always waiting for a tropical vacation to order one. What a great idea for a staycation.
Dana
This just *screams* summertime to me! I don't think I've had an actual pina colada since I went on a cruise. And that was in 2008! Lol. This is decadent. Can't wait to serve it up on my very own patio this summer!
Marisa F. Stewart
I'll never forget the first time I had a Piña Colada. We were at a resort on Marco Island and we could order drinks while we sat around the pool. Ahhh!! That first sip was a real eye opener to the finer things in life. Ever since then I associate the drink with summer, great times, and pools. This is a great recipe and so easy to make. I'm pinning so I can duplicate it this summer.
Sandra Shaffer
Great pro tip to freeze the coconut cream. I like frozen cocktails, but not when they're watered down. This worked well for a casual gathering where I set up a blend up your own pina colada bar!
Jenni LeBaron
I love that these are so simple and delicious! I also really appreciate that you use natural flavorings, rather than heavy processed syrups for this. These pina coladas would go down deliciously at my house!
Sean@Diversivore
When I was 14 years old, I went on my first big family vacation - a Caribbean cruise. And wow did I ever drink a lot of (virgin) pina coladas. They've had a special spot in my heart since then, though I don't actually remember the last time I had one. This is so delightfully simple and perfect and... well, summery! I think I'm going to have to go get a bottle of rum. Cheers!
Daniela
I recently got back on the piña colada train after having a really tasty one at my local cocktail bar, so I'm definitely making myself a big pitcher of these as soon as the weather heats up again. I love that you only need three ingredients to make them too; they are just perfect for when entertaining a large group.
Carmy
Pina coladas are one of my go-to summer drinks! There's just something so fun about having a glass in my hand pool-side or bbq-side. I love the idea of replacing the ice with frozen pineapple chunks. I'm definitely going to be doing that!
christina m rodriguez
Made this yesterday, so quick, easy and delicious! Husband said "ooh this is a keeper"! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Patricia Bozeman
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! CHEERS!
Gloria
This looks perfect for sipping on the patio on a nice summer day. Makes me feel like I am in the tropics. I totally enjoyed these in Hawaii....so good.
kelleyandcricket
I love pina coladas- perfect drink for the summer! Going to make these soon for sure!
Patricia Bozeman
Thanks!
strawberryblondiekitchen
Long live summer! Your Pina Colada is a beauty and sounds so refreshing right now! YUM!