Piña Colada – A Classic Cocktail

What better cocktail to take us away to the islands; even if our vacation is in our own backyard. This Pina Colada Cocktail is a tropical treat!

Two songs that are synonymous with cocktails, the margarita and the Piña Colada. I love both of them. It’s pretty evident if you’ve been a reader for a while that I’m a margarita fan, but somewhere along the way I’ve forgotten the poor Piña Colada and it’s time to right that wrong. Ah…can you hear that song too? I could use an escape…maybe I can’t head for the cape but let’s try this Piña Colada- a classic cocktail, and see if it helps. You with me?

If you like Piña 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, write to me, and escape.”

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One thing these two cocktails have in common when made at home? They are far superior to most you’ve probably had that are mixed with a pre-made concoction that is combined with either tequila or rum and badda boom, badda bing…done. While pre-made might seem convenient, the truth is that it’s really not that hard to mix a couple of ingredients and take a cocktail from ‘It’ll do’ to ‘WOW!’

I always keep some canned 100% pineapple juice in my pantry. While I have no problem using fresh lemons and limes for recipes, pineapples are a bit trickier and I’ve never actually tried juicing one! It’s so much easier to use the Dole product and I use both the large can, for recipes like this, and the smaller 6-oz cans that come in a 6-pack for several recipes, including breakfast smoothies and cocktails. I’ll also enjoy it at breakfast instead of a glass of OJ.

Maybe it’s my yearning for a vacation in the tropics? I think I’ll pretend I’m somewhere tropical on July 4th (it will certainly be hot enough!) and make a big pitcher of this refreshing drink to serve with some chicken skewers brushed with my favorite pineapple and jalapeno barbecue sauce. It’s a great party drink; everything is blended together and can be kept in the fridge in a big pitcher; just pour over ice when ready to serve.

My next pineapple project is going to be one of my favorites desserts, a pineapple upside-down cake. While I might love using a fresh pineapple when I make one of those, I always substitute out the milk in the recipe for a like amount of pineapple juice; it makes a subtle (and perfect) difference. It really is the King of Juices™ in our home!

While there are a million recipes for piña coladas scattered across the web, I took some liberties with the norm and loved the results. I’ve learned that mixing a combination of juices works with my favorite margarita, so went that route here and this cocktail includes pineapple juice, orange juice and lime juice.

Some dark rum and demerara simple syrup add an extra depth of flavor that everyone loved; adding some whole pineapple to the mix gave it a nice texture with some body. While many recipes serve this as a frozen slush-type drink, I much preferred it poured over crushed ice; I love that bit of crunch.

Refrigerate your mixture for at least an hour (more if possible) so that the ice doesn’t melt quickly when served but just serves to keep it super cold. This recipe serves 4 but trust me…double it and have a couple of friends over and I promise you there will not be a drop left to spare. Cheers!

PIN IT! ‘Piña Colada Cocktail’

Pina Colada - A Classic Cocktail

Pina Colada – A Classic Cocktail

Barbara Baker
A great pineapple and coconut based cocktail that will help whisk you to the islands while staycationing in your own backyard!
5 average from less than 50 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Cocktails
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Cocktails
Calories 398 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces Dark rum
  • 8 ounces Pineapple Juice canned or frozen (made with water)
  • 2 ounces orange juice fresh
  • 1 ounce lime juice fresh
  • 1 cup Cubed pineapple
  • 8 ounces Coconut milk
  • 4 ounces Heavy Cream
  • 3 ounces Demerara simple syrup

Garnish

  • Cherries, pineapple wedges, lime wedges

Instructions
 

  • Pour all ingredients into a blender jar and blend thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
  • Chill 4 glasses, remove from fridge and fill with crushed ice. Stir cocktail and pour into the glasses.
  • Garnish with the cherry, pineapple wedge and lime wedge.

Notes

To Make the Simple Syrup:
Combine equal amounts water with demerara sugar and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Cool in fridge before using.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Pina Colada – A Classic Cocktail
Serving Size
 
1 Cocktail
Amount per Serving
Calories
398
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
22
g
34
%
Cholesterol
 
32
mg
11
%
Sodium
 
17
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
17
g
6
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories
398
Keyword cocktail, coconut, pina colada, pineapple
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8 Comments

  1. Was this the one I had Barb? I have to make this! Was waiting for you to post it on your site. Absolutely delicious! Don’t hesitate on making this one at all, it’s the perfect cocktail.

  2. Hallo,

    dieses Cocktail sieht echt geil aus.
    Danke für die Fotos.
    Pina Colada schmeckt auch bestimmt super.
    Ich muss es irgendwann probieren.

    LG
    Daniel

    1. Cheers to you too Rosa! I know I sure love a homemade version; so much fresh flavor you can almost imagine you’re on a beach. Almost. 🙂

  3. Such a great drink! Perfect for lazy, hot summer days. And one that cries out for a little umbrella! Gotta shade the garnish, you know. 🙂 Great rendition of a classic — thanks.

    1. I had this in mind and thought I had the little umbrellas but couldn’t find them. Was in a real dilemma…don’t they require one? Luckily once last run through a drawer of accessories and I lucked out…even if the print is on the wrong side of the umbrellas! But no matter; we really enjoyed the drink and by we I mean half of my street…I made a full pitcher; once you open coconut milk you might as well go big right?

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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