Summer is not over yet! Whip up one of these rich, creamy Piña Coladas from scratch and cool down in style! A delicious taste of the Caribbean!
These homemade Pina Coladas are frozen, smooth, pineapple-y, sweet, and perfect for your Labor Day festivities. You’re going to love how luscious handcrafted cocktails can be.
I’m always surprised when I go to the grocery or liquor store and see processed cocktail mixes. Most classic drinks use easy to find ingredients and usually only a handful of them. That is definitely the case with piña coladas so I’m not sure what the appeal of those expensive mixes is. I would rather make my drinks with fresh pineapple, real ingredients and no preservatives! Fresh=yummy! So to start my version of the classic Piña Colada, I use fresh cubed pineapple.
And of course you need coconut for that signature flavor. When Mr. Bunny and I tested this recipe, we tried homemade coconut milk and the unsweetened, canned variety. I have to admit, I preferred the canned. My homemade coconut milk was not as smooth as I would have liked because my blender was not powerful enough to blend up the fiber-y coconut flesh. I had to add extra water and even then the puree was not milk-smooth, so it was lumpy and watery. If you have one of those fancy high-speed blenders, I think making your own could be worthwhile. However, canned coconut milk, or coconut cream if you want something extra decadent, is a great option, just buy the good, organic stuff!
So what else is in this classic Piña Colada from scratch? Turbinado sugar adds a hint of molasses flavor, white rum for booziness and ice to cool you down during these dry and hot end-of-summer days. Throw it all in a blender, whir, buzz, whir, buzz and you have frozen tropical paradise!
If you are an overachiever you can make a cute garnish, but the base recipe is only 5 ingredients! And it’s really a stretch to call ice an ingredient! So say goodbye to those drinks in a package and say hello to this Piña Colada from scratch!
Pina Coladas from Scratch
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed frozen pineapple
- 4 ounces white rum
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
- 2 ounces unsweetened coconut milk or coconut cream
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Cube and freeze pineapple in advance
- In a blender, combine pineapple, rum, sugar, coconut milk and ice.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve in a 10oz glass and garnish for flair!
Notes
- To spice up your frozen Pina Colada, try using spiced rum.
- There are many options for garnish. I rimmed the glass with a mixture of turbinado sugar and toasted coconut and garnished with wedges of pineapple and grapefruit. Other great options are mint, basil, fresh cherries, strawberries, and lime.
- Serve your frozen beverage with a straw
Nutrition
If you make this drink, please leave a comment below. We also love to see your bartending skills, so snap a picture and tag us. You can find all our social media pages in the right hand column of every page. Let’s start a convo!
You might also like:
Orange Turmeric Margaritas
These margaritas are a sweet and smoky take on the classic cocktail. Homemade simple syrup. fresh juice and a salty, spiced rim make these drinks extra special.
Spicy Thai Basil Cucumber Cocktail
With hot peppers and savory Thai basil, this drink is cool and refreshing, with a nice, slow jalapeno burn at the finish.
Rum Old Fashioned
Discover the classic Rum Old Fashioned using one of Puerto Rico’s fine aged rums.
Linda says
Yum!linda
Natalie says
What a perfect pina colada recipe!
Tiffany says
Pretty! This was a truly excellent post. Thanks for the advice.
Charles says
This is an amazing recipe. I loved it. Way better than what you can get at the bar.
Vintage Kitty says
So glad you loved it Charles!
Kathryn says
In order to attempt a perfect homemade coconut milk, you need to strain it, once well processed, through a piece of cloth. You’ll get rid of the fibers (save it to make yourself a delicious savory side dish known in Brazil as “farofa”). If you leave it in the fridge overnight you’ll be able to separate the water from the “true” coconut even more and make your own coconut cream.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Kathryn. I’ll have to try that.
Amaliea says
Amazing Pina colada recipe!! So delicious!!!
Vintage Kitty says
Glad you liked it Amaliea!
Julia E.S. Spencer says
Was looking for a recipe that would help me use the frozen pineapple my neighbor left me when he moved. Made it with coconut cream and a little lime juice, only a couple of ice cubes. I also added a banana to give it more substance and because potassium. Turned out great. https://instagram.com/p/BlPaeSbH6LF/
Vintage Kitty says
Adding a banana is a a nice idea! Very tropical! Thanks for sharing your results Julia.
Dani McKenna says
Oh my, delicious!! This recipe is amazing! Thank you, so much for sharing.
Vintage Kitty says
You’re welcome Dani! So happy you loved it!
Sarah Skaggs says
I love virgin piña coladas! These are way better using fresh ingredients!
Vintage Kitty says
Aren’t they? Cheers!
Kara says
I can’t wait for warm weather so we can all enjoy frosty drinks like this. My kids will love this (without the rum of course)!
Vintage Kitty says
Great idea! Throw a little molasses in for the kids. Maybe a couple teaspoons per recipe? It will give that rum flavor without the alcohol.
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVE these! Whipped up a few for our movie night last night!
lauren kelly says
Homemade cocktails are the BEST! This one makes me crave summer!
Vintage Kitty says
We’re almost there!
Eden says
Great recipe! Now I need a sunny beach to lounge on!
Cory says
Thanks I am a mother and very busy! This helped me alot!
Vintage Kitty says
You’re welcome Cory!
Marie says
Very good
Vintage Kitty says
So happy you enjoyed it!
Randy says
Can I use Stevia instead of turbines sugar?
Vintage Kitty says
I’m sure you can, but I’m not sure how much you’d need. You could probably also add a little pineapple juice to make it sweeter but it may be less frozen.
Amy says
Very good! We used 3 packets of Truvia instead of the sugar and was delicious!