The Best Piña Colada Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

“If you like Piña Coladas…”, then you’re gonna love our recipe.

Hailed by Rico, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, as one of his Top 5 drinks in the world, the Piña Colada is adored by people in bars and resorts all around the world. One sip and you’re in P-A-R-A-D-I-S-E!

So, if you’re looking for a delicious and easy Piña Colada recipe, you’ve come to the right place. Now, let’s get blending!

How To Make a Piña Colada

What You’ll Need

• Poco Grande or Hurricane Glass
• Jigger or Measuring Instrument
• Blender
• Paring Knife (to cut up the Pineapple)

How to Mix

1. Measure and pour Rum, Pineapple Juice and Cream of Coconut (Coco Lopez) in a Blender. 
2. Add Ice Cubes and blend until smooth
3. Pour into a ‘Poco Grande’ or a Hurricane Glass.
4. Garnish with a Pineapple Wedge and two Pineapple Leaves. 
5. Enjoy!

What is a Piña Colada Cocktail?

The Piña Colada is a delicious and popular blended cocktail that immediately conjures images of swaying palm trees, sandy beaches, and balmy ocean breezes.

With its distinctly delicious flavor combination of Light Rum, Pineapple and Coconut Cream, this classic Tiki drink is the essence of tropical getaways.

From lazy afternoons and backyard gatherings to elaborate Tiki-themed cocktail soirées, the Piña Colada is a hit every time.

What Does a Piña Colada Cocktail Taste Like?

Even though it has been said a million times, the Piña Colada really does taste like a tropical vacation in a glass. It’s a delightful blend of creamy Coconut, sweet Pineapple, and smooth Light Rum, creating a luscious and indulgent flavor combo. 

The Cream of Coconut has a luxurious, velvety texture that marries perfectly with the sweetness of the Rum and the tart, tanginess of the Pineapple. It’s pure tropical perfection.

In the words of Rico, when blended properly using only high-quality ingredients, it’s “Delicious, ice cold, smooth. Fresh Pineapple, Coconut Cream, and some good Light Rum. Everything in that glass comes through”.

The History of the Piña Colada Cocktail

This tropical phenomenon of a drink was naturally born in the Caribbean, although the exact origin remains a subject of debate.

However, it’s most commonly attributed to a resort in the outskirts of San Juan, Puerto Rico during the 1950s. In the panoramic ocean view bar, a talented barman mixed local Rum with Coconut Cream, Heavy Cream, and fresh Pineapple Juice, creating an instant hit. 

Night after night, this new jet set oasis attracted hordes of legendary celebrities who eagerly consumed this delightful concoction. The Piña Colada quickly surpassed its celebrity fans in fame and has become the most iconic tropical drink today. 



In hindsight, the barman would have been wise to buy shares in a blender company.

Tips for Making the Perfect Piña Colada Cocktail

• Choose the Right Coconut Cream
  Try not to confuse Cream of Coconut with regular Coconut Cream. The former is sweetened and syrupy in texture (which is what we want) and the latter isn’t.

• Rico’s Way
  In the video above, you’ll see Rico’s preferred method for making a Piña Colada. While using the same ingredients, he starts by preparing the Pineapple, using a Paring Knife to remove the skin and cut the Pineapple into wedges. After discarding the core, he adds the Pineapple into the blender first, followed by the Coconut Cream, Light Rum, and, lastly, Ice Cubes.

• Consistency is Everything
  Don’t shy away from using ice. You want the ice to help dilute your drink but also create the right consistency. As Rico explains, you want your Piña Colada to be thick and in “an almost slushie-like state.” While blending all the ingredients, keep adding more ice until you achieve the desired consistency (read: thick!).

• Sweet, Ripe Pineapple
  The sweetness and taste of the Pineapple can vary greatly depending on the season, location, and availability. A simple rule: if the Pineapple is delicious on its own, it’ll be great in your drink. If not, cold-pressed Pineapple Juice is a good alternative.

Variations of a Piña Colada Cocktail

• Malibu Piña Colada
  Love coconut? Then you’ll love this variation! Shaken not blended, the Malibu Piña Colada takes the Coconut flavor to new heights thanks to the sweet and distinct flavor of Malibu, Coconut Cream, and Pineapple Juice. Serve it in a Tall Glass and garnish with a fancy slice of Pineapple and a Maraschino Cherry to really bring home those island vacation vibes! Discover our Malibu Piña Colada recipe. 
• Malibu Pineapple
  This delightful blend of Malibu Rum and Pineapple Juice is like a mini vacation in a glass. A nod to its Caribbean origins, this drink is, in fact, a simplified version of the Piña Colada. And who doesn’t love easy to make cocktail recipes? Here’s how to make a Malibu Pineapple. 
• Virgin Piña Colada
  Can you make a Piña Colada without alcohol? You certainly can and it’s delicious! Check out the perfect Piña Colada mocktail.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Piña Colada

A classic garnish for the Piña Colada is a Pineapple Wedge, two Pineapple Leaves, and often a Maraschino Cherry. Hey, why not use all three? But whatever you do, don’t eat the leaves!

The Hurricane Glass is the most common glassware to serve a Piña Colada in, however, you’ll see that Rico opts for a Coupe Glass, which works just as well. Even though you wouldn’t normally use a straw with a Coupe Glass, Rico does because, well, it’s funny and pushes the tropical vibes even further.