Spring time is officially here and I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with this refreshing Piña Colada recipe!

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Making Pina Coladas from scratch

Something about these sunny, almost summer-like days has me craving a Pina Colada, something fierce. But honestly, who doesn’t want to pretend they’re on a sunny beach holding a deliciously tropical tasting drink?

Pina Coladas are one of those drinks that just scream sunshine, especially when they’re made from scratch. I think it has to do with the tropical fruit that gets blended up, almost like a milkshake or smoothie.

Even though this cocktail is typically thought of as a special treat or something fancy only a professional bartender could whip up, it totally doesn’t have to be.

I remember my mom making me non alcoholic pina coladas at a very young age and being so obsessed, I begged her to teach me how to make them (a skill that came in super handy during my college years; thanks mom!)

Making this drink is as easy as throwing some simple, super easy to find ingredients into a blender, hitting a button and pouring yourself a large glass to enjoy.

Ingredients

Like I mentioned before, the ingredients to make this Virgin Pina Colada recipe are surprisingly easy. The first and most important thing you’ll need is a blender.

Next, we’re taking a can of coconut cream, some pineapple chunks and a squeeze of lime juice (if you like a hint of sour) and throwing them in the blender. That’s it!

Here are the exact measurements you’ll need in case you’re headed to the store:

1 pineapple or a large can of pineapple chunks
1 can of coconut cream (coconut milk works too)
Ice
The juice of a lime for a hint of sour (optional)
Maraschino cherries and/or coconut flakes to garnish (if you want to be extra fancy)

Fresh pineapple vs. canned

I’m going to be 100% real with you and admit that my mom and I are not above using a can of pineapple chunks when we are in a pinch.

That said, I will always use fresh pineapple if it’s available. The flavor of fresh fruit really does add a lot of character, but don’t stress if you can’t get your hands on one or simply don’t have the energy to cut an entire pineapple open.

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

This is my guarantee that this Virgin Pina Colada recipe will be just as good if you’re using canned fruit. I always try to find a can that has no added sugar as the fruit has plenty of natural sweetness.

Coconut milk vs. coconut cream

You’ve likely tasted or experimented with coconut milk at some point in your life. It’s commonly used in curries, as a vegan milk substitute or in soups.

But what exactly is the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?

The biggest difference is in the consistency.

Coconut milk is significantly more liquid while coconut cream is thicker and has a higher fat content.

When it comes to making this virgin Pina Colada recipe, picking your canned coconut is really up to your personal preference. I am 100% team coconut cream in this recipe but I am also not above using a can of coconut milk if it’s all I’ve got.

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 of drink with less calories and fat.

My secret trick for making extra frothy virgin Pina Coladas using coconut cream or milk? Throw the can in the fridge overnight before using.

Virgin mocktails vs. boozy cocktails

In case you’ve gotten this far and are still wondering what the heck makes this drink a ‘virgin’, my sincere apologies.

A ‘virgin’ Pina Colada is just a Pina Colada without the booze!

Any cocktail can become a mocktail (aka a virgin cocktail) by simply leaving out any alcohol and this technique works especially well with Pina Coladas. Because they have so much flavor and such a thick delicious texture, they truly don’t need the alcohol. The drink is perfectly refreshing without it.

That said, you can easily turn this into a traditional Pina Colada with a splash of your favorite rum (for those of us who are 21+). I like using Bacardi or Malibu but any quality rum will work great!

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

Cheers!

Salima