A Frosty Piña Colada Is the Perfect Summer Escape
Nothing captures the tropical flavors of an island vacation quite like a frosty piña colada. The perfect balance of creamy coconut and sour-sweet pineapple, this rum-based cocktail is the official drink of Puerto Rico. What a sweet and delicious cocktail to claim! Recipes that resemble the modern blended beverage date back to the 1950s, with some reports attributing the original pineapple, coconut, and rum combination to 18th-century sailors (and pirates). You don't have to be on a tropical vacation to enjoy this summer cocktail, though. Just blend one up on a nice, sunny day, sit outside, and dream of the ocean!
What is in a piña colada?
According to the IBA (International Bartender’s Association) a piña colada must have rum, coconut cream, and fresh pineapple juice. There is plenty of room for variation; some people make their own simple syrup or add a boozy dark rum floater to the top of the drink. This piña colada recipe includes the standard ingredients, but amps up the pineapple flavor with frozen pineapple chunks. Using frozen fruit in blended cocktails is a great way to get that irresistible slushy texture without watering down the drink with too much ice. There is also a squeeze of lime juice to keep this sweet drink bright and balanced.
What is cream of coconut?
With the abundance of coconut milk products on the market, it's crucial to select the right one for your recipe. Cream of coconut isn't the same as coconut milk or coconut cream. While coconut milk is the standard for savory dishes such as coconut shrimp curry and unsweetened coconut cream is great for coconut-based desserts like coconut cream pie, cream of coconut is what you should reach for to make a piña colada. Cream of coconut is coconut cream that has been processed and sweetened to form a thick, syrupy concoction that's perfect for blended cocktails.
Is a piña colada a strong cocktail?
When it’s made at home, a piña colada is as strong as you want it to be. If you split this recipe between two glasses, each drink will contain about two ounces of rum. Feel free to make adjustments based on preferences or omit the rum altogether for a mocktail.
Yields: 2 servings
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 8 mins
Ingredients
2 c.
ice
1 1/2 c.
frozen pineapple chunks
6 oz.
cream of coconut, whisked until smooth
4 oz.
pineapple juice
4 oz.
light or golden rum
2 oz.
lime juice
Maraschino cherries, for serving
Directions
Place 2 or 3 daiquiri glasses or any desired glasses in the freezer for 5 minutes.
In a high-powered countertop blender, combine the ice, pineapple chunks, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, rum, and lime juice. Start the blender on low speed, then increase to high speed. Blend until smooth, 20 to 30 seconds.
Divide the piña colada between the chilled glasses and top with cherries.
Tip: Keep all your ingredients as cold as possible for the smoothest, frostiest blended drink!
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