My Favorite Piña Colada Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Blend

by: Merrill Stubbs

June10,2021

4.3

3 Ratings

  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Makes 4 co*cktails

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

I like more pineapple than coconut in my piña colada, so I thought I'd add some fresh pineapple as well as pineapple juice for a piña colada recipe that’s just right for me. There’s every reason to make a piña colada from scratch rather than rely on pre-made mixes sold at supermarkets and liquor stores. Artificial coconut and pineapple flavorings are syrupy-sweet and a far cry from their fresh or canned counterparts, and co*cktails made with them are no substitute for the real deal.

A sturdy blender is a must for this drink, as your tropical relaxation experience just won’t be the same with bigger chunks of ice interfering with its velvety-smooth consistency (and we can’t have that). Your favorite rum, whether it’s dark, gold, light, flavored, or a combination, will work perfectly well. Mixology enthusiasts will convince you that one option is superior to another, or shun deviations from the original piña colada developed in Puerto Rico in 1954, which calls for white rum. Pay no heed: Whichever rum you choose will contribute welcome flavor notes for a more satisfying sip.

After a few experiments, I found that a combination of coconut milk and cream of coconut produced the right blend of sweetness and creaminess. A spritz of lime juice and a grating of fresh nutmeg were later additions.

If you need a piña colada right now but don’t have cream of coconut—which really does contribute to a wonderful thick consistency and pronounced coconut flavor—you can use sweetened condensed milk with a few drops of coconut extract to taste. Another option is simmering whole milk or cream with fresh or dried grated coconut for a few minutes, then cooling to room temperature and straining through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. A final option, of course, is simply a generous pour of coconut rum. These substitutes will produce results with varying levels of sweetness, so be sure to taste and adjust as necessary.
Merrill Stubbs

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 3 ounceslight rum
  • 4 cups ice
  • 2/3 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 3 ouncescream of coconut
  • 2 ouncescoconut milk
  • 4 ouncespineapple juice, fresh or canned
  • juice of 1/2 lime, plus lime wedges to garnish
  • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg, plus more to garnish
Directions
  1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender (use a good, strong one that can crush ice) and blend until smooth.
  2. Add more ice or liquid until you reach the desired consistency.
  3. Pour into glasses, and garnish with a light shower of grated nutmeg, lime wedges, and maybe even co*cktail umbrellas.

Tags:

  • co*cktail
  • Drinks
  • Caribbean
  • Lime Juice
  • Pineapple
  • Rum
  • Coconut
  • Blend
  • Backyard BBQ
  • Summer
  • Memorial Day
  • Outdoor Entertaining

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • BabyKakes

  • Daniella Price González

  • Sasha (Global Table Adventure)

  • ChezShea

Popular on Food52

7 Reviews

BabyKakes August 5, 2014

Actually I think a golden rum makes for a better and gives the co*cktail more depth, more intense flavor. Try it with Mount Gay or Barbancourt. DEElish!

Daniella P. June 4, 2013

2/3 cups of pineapple in grams?

irinaleibo November 3, 2011

I do a cheater's Pina Colada using Pineapple juice , Malibu coconut rum and ice in a blender!
But I lived in the caribbean and needed more Pina Coladas than most!
Cheers
irina

ChezShea February 24, 2012

I notice more and more that as a "cooking culture" we are often drawn to what is "Easy-peasy Lemon-Squeezy" or doing a recipe the "loriginal" long-way home.

I opt for both depending on the time squeeze and the seriousness of the occasion involved.

I love a short-cut now and then also.

Thanks Irina for simplifying a mid-week crisis with co*cktails on board!

Thanks to Merrill for the sophisticated recipe with some notriorious difference.

I suppose it will alwaysalso matter to thedirector of the play who is in the audience as well.

Love the "retro-colada".... Thanks again

Chezshea

TylerYork May 5, 2011

This looks delicious, I'll have to try it sometime

Sasha (. May 3, 2011

Pina Coladas will always remind me of my honey moon. Yours looks lovely.

Sasha (. May 3, 2011

Er, honeymoon... although a honey moon can't be all bad, either!

My Favorite Piña Colada Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a piña colada and a coconut colada? ›

One difference between the Coconut Colada and a standard Piña Colada is the use of freshly squeezed pineapple juice rather than anything pre-packaged, like the ones commonly found in cans.

What is the difference between pineapple and piña colada? ›

Piña Colada translates literally to strained pineapple - meaning without pulp - which was served over ice and had been a standard beverage in the Caribbean for decades. In a 1922 issue of TRAVEL magazine a Piña Colada is described as pineapple “shaken up with ice, sugar, lime and Bacardi rum”.

What is a cowboy colada? ›

Add a bold Western twist to the classic piña colada with Pendleton®️ Original Whisky. The fruit and honey flavor of Pendleton Original adds a delicious richness to this summertime favorite. Sweet pineapple juice and coconut cream balance out the whisky so perfectly, you'll never use rum again.

Is white rum or dark rum better for piña colada? ›

If you prefer a Piña Colada with a pronounced, indulgent sweetness and a touch of sophistication, dark rum is an excellent choice to enhance this holiday classic. Flavor. Dark rum is known for its deep, caramelized flavors, infusing the Piña Colada with complexity.

Is coconut milk or coconut cream better for piña colada? ›

However, I've found that cream of coconut makes for the best piña coladas. The cream of coconut makes the drink super rich and creamy, whereas coconut milk is much less sweet and not as intense in flavor.

Is Piña Colada better with Bacardi or Malibu? ›

Malibu. If you're looking for an extra coconutty Piña Colada that's lighter on the alcohol, Malibu is a solid rum choice. Because it's only 42 proof, you can drink a couple without getting too tipsy. It's also great for those who want to up the creamy coconut notes and downplay the fruity pineapple flavor.

What is the main alcohol in a Piña Colada? ›

In order to make a Piña Colada, one of the most important ingredients is light rum.

What is the signature drink Piña Colada? ›

If you like piña colada, you should know the famous tropical drink was invented in Puerto Rico! The sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice was born in San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy on the island.

What does Piña Colada mean in English? ›

The name piña colada (Spanish) literally means "strained pineapple", a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink's preparation.

Is Piña Colada Hawaiian or Mexican? ›

The piña colada hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico where it was created by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in 1954.

Is Malibu a Piña Colada? ›

Back in the 1980s, a creative mixologist with a passion for paradise combined the smooth flavor of Malibu with the pure essence of pineapple and creamy coconut to create the perfect Pina Colada. Fast forward to today, and this drink has become the unofficial anthem of carefree days and unforgettable nights.

What is Kraken colada? ›

1 part Kraken Original rum. 1 part coconut cream. 1/2 part coconut milk. 1/2 part pineapple chunks. Handful of ice cubes.

Can a man order a pina colada? ›

I don't think that a 'real man' would give a hoot about what others thought about his choice of drink, so go ahead and have your Pina Colada and relax and enjoy!

What is Baileys colada? ›

This special edition combines the smooth and creamy character of Baileys with the exotic flavours of a pina colada co*cktail. Expect a delicious blend of coconut, pineapple and cream, which creates an indulgent tropical beverage. ABOUT - Baileys Pina Colada Liqueur is the perfect treat for all occasions.

Why is it called a colada? ›

Etymology. The name piña colada (Spanish) literally means "strained pineapple", a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink's preparation.

What alcohol is traditionally in a piña colada? ›

The Piña Colada hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, invented by a bartender named Ramón “Monchito” Marrero who used BACARDÍ white rum. What type of rum goes in a Piña Colada? While the classic Piña Colada is made with white rum, you can always experiment with different flavors.

What is the main alcohol in a piña colada? ›

In order to make a Piña Colada, one of the most important ingredients is light rum.

What does colada mean in piña colada? ›

The name 'Piña Colada' directly translates from Spanish as 'strained pineapple', a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice that should ideally be used in the drink's preparation. Three Puerto Rican bartenders contest the ownership of their country's national drink.

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