This refreshing blended Piña Colada recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. It’s a classic Puerto Rican cocktail that will have you feeling like you’re on a beach on the island. This easy blended cocktail comes together with just 4 ingredients: ice, a can of pineapple chunks, cream of coconut, and rum.

A piña colada on a white counter.

If you’re into tropical cocktails, chances are you’ve already tried a piña colada. It’s one of my favorite classic Puerto Rican recipes made with a can of pineapple, cream of coconut, and rum.

Growing up, my mom would make me the virgin version of this drink (more on that later), before adding a splash of rum to hers. She would always use a can of pineapple with the juice, which inspired this recipe!

This popular Caribbean drink is known around the world, usually garnished with a bright red maraschino cherry and a slice of fresh pineapple.

Pina Coladas are one of those drinks that will have you feeling like you’re on a tropical island, especially when they’re made from scratch. Something about the combination of pineapple and coconut blended with a splash of rum, feels like an adult milkshake or smoothie, infused with tropical flavor. 

If you enjoy the island flavors in this drink, you should also try this reader favorite recipe for pina coladas on the rocks, this piña colada breakfast smoothie, and the chi chi drink.

A bottle of rum, bowls of ice, pineapple and more.

4 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need in case you’re headed to the store:

  • rum (any kind of rum will do, but I love Don Q!)
  • canned pineapple chunks + the juice from the can
  • cream of coconut (refrigerated over night if possible)

See recipe card for exact quantities.

Making Pina Coladas from scratch

Here’s how to make your own in just 10 minutes:

Canned pineapple can be substituted for fresh or frozen, just note that you will also need to buy pineapple juice.

Our Secret Ingredient: Canned Pineapple

Canned pineapple chunks & juice (plus ice) are key to achieving that signature thick texture of this cocktail. The frozen chunks provide that icy cold texture that we want in a blended cocktail, without diluting the flavor.

That said, if all you’ve got is fresh or frozen pineapple, you can use it combined with pineapple juice. 

Sometimes you just need a drink, pronto! I totally get it.

A piña colada on a white counter.

Cream of coconut vs. coconut cream

When it comes to making this Pina Colada recipe, picking your coconut is really up to your personal preference.

After lots of recipe testing, I’ve determined that cream of coconut is a key ingredient in giving this cocktail it’s signature creamy sweetness.

Using a can of coconut milk or cream will result in a significantly less sweet and less creamy cocktail.

The higher fat content in coconut cream will result in a thicker, frothier pina colada while using coconut milk will result in a thinner consistency. 

I recommend using one of these brands: Real Coco or Coco Lopez

A piña colada on a white counter.

Make it a Mocktail

Pina Coladas make an especially delicious mocktail. Similarly to this pina colada breakfast smoothie, they’re rich, thick, and full of flavor.

My mom and I bonded over this recipe long before I was of drinking age, so I learned about the virgin version before having the traditional rum one.

To make it a mocktail, simply leave out the rum!

As always, if and when consuming alcohol make sure you are drinking responsibly. 

Buen provecho,

Salima written in cursive
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A piña colada on a white counter.

Piña Colada Recipe

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  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
  • Category: Cocktails, Drinks, Beverages
  • Method: Blended
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican, Latin
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This refreshing blended Piña Colada recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. It’s a classic Puerto Rican cocktail that will have you feeling like you’re on a beach on the island. This easy blended cocktail comes together with just 4 ingredients: ice, a can of pineapple chunks, cream of coconut, and rum. Makes 1 serving.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 oz rum
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks + 1/4 cup of the juice from the can
  • 1/4 cup coconut cream (refrigerated overnight if possible)
  • 1 1/2 cups ice
  • optional: maraschino cherries, fresh pineapple slices, coconut flakes, or lime zest to garnish

Instructions

Notes

  • Canned pineapple can be substituted for fresh or frozen, just note that you will also need to buy pineapple juice.
  • For an extra kick, add a shot of rum on top of the blended drink.