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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails » Pina Colada cocktail recipe – Blender version

    PUBLISHED: August 6, 2021 • By Toni Dash 17 Comments

    Pina Colada cocktail recipe – Blender version

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    pina colada in pineapple title

    Pina Coladas are a wildly popular tropical cocktail for good reason. Brimming with pineapple, coconut and rum flavors, they taste like a tropical vacation!

    pina colada in pineapple title

    This perfect piña colada recipe blends up in minutes. It’s one of those easy recipes you’ll enjoy on the regular especially in hot weather or when you are craving a trip to an island getaway.

    It’s one of the best rum cocktails and the official cocktail of Puerto Rico! Sit back and enjoy the rich coconut and pineapple flavor.

    Jump to:
    • Best Pina Colada Recipe – Blender version
    • History of the Pina Colada
    • Recipe Ingredients + Notes
    • Cream of Coconut versus Coconut Cream
    • Variations
    • How to Make it
    • How to Make a Pineapple Cup
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Best Pina Colada Recipe – Blender version

    This is a perfect pina colada recipe for parties or when you don’t want to be using a cocktail shaker all evening.

    All the ingredients go into the blender to whip up a creamy cocktail with tropical fruity flavors.

    Simple ingredients and a traditional blender are all you’ll need!

    Alterning the amount of ice used changes the texture of the cocktail too so you can make the perfect Pina Colada recipe you love.

    History of the Pina Colada

    Every good cocktail has a great origin story and the Pina Colada is no exception.

    The first known version was attributed to a Puerto Rican pirate concocted a pineapple, coconut and white rum cocktail to bolster his crew’s morale. Though a disputed tale, this version was believed to both be the original recipe and also lost with his death in 1825.

    The Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan Puerto Rico claims their bartender developed the cocktail in 1954 believing it to represent the essence of Puerto Rico.

    Another Puerto Rican restaurant, Barrachina, boasts their claim that their bartender developed the famous drink in 1963.

    Whoever is responsible there’s no denying this classic Puerto Rican cocktail has become famous worldwide.

    In 1978 it officially become the official national drink of Puerto Rico.

    PINA COLADA IN PINEAPPLE

    Recipe Ingredients + Notes

    Rum. Use light rum or white rum (not aged rum) for this cocktail recipe. For an extra kicker an aged rum or dark rum float can be added to the tropical drink when serving.

    Cream of Coconut. Be sure to use ‘cream of coconut’ NOT coconut cream (more below). Coco Lopez is probably the most well known brand. This is a sweet thick coconut water or milk that comes in a can. There is not a true substitute and it is key for the tropical flavor in a pina colada.

    Pineapple juice. Pineapple is the other key flavor in the perfect pina colada recipe. Using juice and pineapple fruit makes a delicious cocktail.

    Lime juice. Fresh lime juice makes a difference so juice your own. We love using a handheld juicer to get the job done.

    Fresh pineapple. Some fresh sweet pineapple chunks add a fresh fruity flavor.

    It’s traditionally served in a hurricane glass but any tall glass or highball glass will work. You can even serve it from a hollowed out pineapple half.

    Garnish with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherry….and a cocktail umbrella.

    Cream of Coconut versus Coconut Cream

    Be sure to use cream of coconut for this recipe. I have accidentally reserve swapped cream of coconut into a recipe that used coconut cream and they are nothing like each other!

    Cream of coconut is made from coconut water or coconut milk with lots of sweetener as well as thickeners. It has the consistency of a syrup.

    Coconut Cream is made from coconut water with a thickener but is not sweetened. So it has a dense coconut flavor without any sweetness.

    Variations

    Traditionally pina coladas are served over pebble ice. But there are a few ways to change up the blender version! By changing the amount of ice you can make different variations of homemade pina colada

    Pina Colada Slushies. Add 2-3 cups ice when blending for a slushie version.

    Frozen Pina Colada. Add 4 cups ice and instead of fresh pineapple use frozen pineapple.

    Want a light version? Swap in coconut rum and use a little bit of simple syrup to adjust the sweetness of the drink .

    Virgin Pina Colada. Remove the rum from the recipe. Blend the pineapple juice, lime juice, fresh pineapple and half the cream of coconut. Taste and add more cream of coconut to taste. Because of its sweetness gradually adding to your liking doesn’t allow it to overpower with coconut flavor.

    How to Make it

    Add the pineapple, pineapple juice, lime juice, cream of coconut, rum with a cup of ice (photo 1-3). Blend (photo 4)!

    pina colada recipe steps

    How to Make a Pineapple Cup

    A fun way to both get fresh pineapple and serve the cocktails in a unique way is to hollow out a pineapple for serving.

    Slice off the top portion of the pineapple (photo 2). Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the ripe pineapple (photo 3).

    Save the pineapple for the cocktails. Make sure there is at least 1/2-3/4 inch thickness left inside the pineapple if using it as a cup (photo 4).

    how to make a pineapple cocktail cup recipe steps

    More recipes you’ll love!

    • Instant Pot Pina Colada Steel Cut Oats recipe
    • Raspberry Pina Colada Smoothie
    • Roasted Pineapple Salsa recipe: Irresistibly Sweet & Spicy!
    • Frozen Pineapple Margaritas recipe – Fast & Refreshing
    • Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
    pina colada in pineapple
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    Recipe

    pina colada square

    Pina Colada cocktails

    This easy blender version of classic Pina Coladas is a fast way to whip up the famous pineapple, coconut rum cocktail. Some fun variations included too.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Cocktail
    Cuisine: Latin American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 351kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Equipment

    Blender

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces (1 cup) light or white rum
    • 6 ounces (3/4 cup) cream of coconut
    • 6 ounces (3/4 cup) pineapple juice
    • 2 ounces (1/8 cup) freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 1/2 cup ripe fresh pineapple
    • 1 cup ice

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a blender: rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, lime juice, fresh pineapple and ice.
    • Blend until smooth. Pour into 4 glasses garnish with pineapple slice and maraschino cherry.

    Notes

    Be sure to use cream of coconut NOT coconut cream.
    Adding a bit of ice to the blender chills the ingredients and makes the pina coladas frothy. For a frozen pina colada see Variations below.
    Variations
    Pina Colada Slushies. Add 2-3 cups ice when blending for a slushie version.
    Frozen Pina Colada. Add 3-4 cups ice and instead of fresh pineapple use frozen pineapple.
    Lightened up version. Swap in coconut rum and use a little bit of simple syrup to adjust the sweetness of the drink.
    Virgin Pina Colada. Remove the rum from the recipe. Blend the pineapple juice, lime juice, fresh pineapple and half the cream of coconut. Taste and add more cream of coconut to taste. Because of its sweetness gradually adding to your liking doesn’t allow it to overpower with coconut flavor.
    To make a pineapple cup
    • Slice the pineapple across and remove top 1/4.
    • Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the pineapple (reserve the fruit for the cocktails).
    • Leave 1/2-3/4 inch of fruit inside the skin for stability.
    To make a single Pina Colada
    • 2 ounces of white or light rum
    • 1.5 ounces cream of coconut
    • 1.5 ounces pineapple juice
    • .5 ounce of lime juice
    • 1/8-1/4 cup fresh pineapple
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Natalie says

      August 09, 2021 at 2:31 am

      5 stars
      That was so refreshing. Definitely making it again.

      Reply
    2. Natasha says

      August 08, 2021 at 8:17 am

      5 stars
      It was so delicious and refreshing! I’ll definitely save this for our next family event. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Elizabeth says

      August 07, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious recipe! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Amy B. says

      August 06, 2021 at 9:09 pm

      5 stars
      So much easier than I expected, and incredibly delicious! The fresh pineapple makes all the difference!

      Reply
    5. Swathi says

      August 06, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Pinacolda cocktail is my favorite.

      Reply
    6. Gwynn Galvin says

      August 06, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      Pina Coladas always transport me to a tropical paradise!

      Reply
    7. Seanna Borrows says

      August 06, 2021 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      So tasty and easy to make! Love this!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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