EVERYTHING about this Virgin Pina Colada is calling my name. Icy, creamy, coconutty, sweet cool drink is all you dreamed of. I can't wait to show you how dang easy (and fast!) it is to make!
WHAT IS A VIRGIN PINA COLADA?
A virgin pina colada can a also sometimes be called a Pina Colada mocktail? A mocktail is a drink recipe that normally calls for a type of alcohol but is omitted. There is no alcohol in this recipe so it's perfect to share with kids, families, parties and women who are expecting.
PINA COLADA drink is a pineapple coconut frosty drink!
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE A VIRGIN PINA COLADA
- PINEAPPLE JUICE
- COCONUT CREAM
- CREAM OF COCONUT *see below
- ICE
PINEAPPLE JUICE
FIRST: you want to start with quality pineapple juice. Why? It give the best flavor and is healthier. I like Dole Sunshine 100% pineapple juice.
In a blender add your juice.
CREAM OF COCONUT
SECOND: I've discovered in my recipe tasting and grocery store hopping that the easiest and most available coconut sweetener to use is this delicious cream of coconut. It is found at basically all stores, but look for it in the wine/spirits isle, close to the soda water and rose grenadine.
side note: I have tried a variety of other sweeteners- like just adding coconut milk or coconut cream, or cream of coconut in a can, but this recipe combination ensures perfect proportion of all without it being too sweet, coconutty or too bland.
DO I BUY CREAM OF COCONUT FROM THE BOTTLE OR THE CAN?
I will say I prefer the cream of coconut for the bottle, but in recent years it has been harder to find. In this case you can find cream o f coconut in a can in the ethic food isle.
WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?
They are both a sweetened coconut additive. They have slightly different ingredients but do not taste significantly different. Real Coco coconut cream is in a reusable bottle and stay creamy whereas the ingredients from a can separate and it is harder to store leftovers from the can.
COCONUT CREAM
Third, coconut cream. A little bit of this goes a long way, but is necessary for the ultimate pina colada. It adds in the creaminess needed that the juice or coconut sweetener cannot provide.
HOW TO MAKE VIRGIN PINA COLADA RECIPE
Start by adding your pineapple juice. When blending always add your liquids first. Add your remaining ingredients including ice.
TIPS FOR THE PERFECT TEXTURE
TIP 1: Obviously more ice will create a thicker pina colada, and less will create a more liquid drink. Start with 3 cups, blend and check the consistency to see if it is how you like it.
TIP 2: Chilling ALL your ingredients will help the ice to go further. Meaning, you will need less ice to make a thicker drink so your pina colada will be full of flavor and not watered down.
SERVE IMMEDIATELY!!
CAN I MAKE THIS AHEAD?
The best way to make this ahead of time is to pre-measure your ingredients and keep the chilled. Then when it is time to serve you can toss and blend in minutes.
DONT BE SHY
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Pina Colada Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cups pineapple juice chilled
- ½ cup cream of coconut chilled
- ¼ cup coconut cream chilled
- 3-4 cups ice
Instructions
- In a blender add all ingredients and 3 cups of ice and blend until smooth.
- Add additional ice and blend again until desired consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
J says
Omg, that was the perfect recipe. I made it for friends and they raved it was way better than hotels serve on vacation. Thanks for sharing! :)
Ajay Prakash says
Very good
BridgEtt says
Absolutely perfect! The only thing I added was a teaspoon of rum extract. Simply perfection! Thank you so much!
Andee McGuire says
This is delicious! I saw on some other recipes that a splash of lime juice gives it a lift. Yours is the best recipe with this minor tweak. Thanks! Happy summer.
Donna says
Aren't cream of coconut and coconut cream the same thing? If not, which brands do you use of each?
Desarae says
They are not the same thing. The post explains this and shows photos of brands. You can buy cream of coconut in a can in the ethnic isle too if you can't find the bottled.
Coconut cream comes purely from a coconut, cream of coconut has sugar added to it.
Palak says
Cream of coconut is made using salt, sugar and coconut cream.
Coconut cream is coconut cream.
Nathan says
So icy and creamy we LOVED it!
Emily Kemp says
I can't think of a better drink for summer, love the photos too!