The Best Piña Colada Recipe

4.05 from 1157 votes

Ingredients

Parts ml
Number of Servings
1

Rate this 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!

Watch Rico Make a Piña Colada

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.

Cocktail recipes by ingredient

Go to Absolut Vodka
absolut vodka

Absolut Vodka

545 drinks

Go to Tomato Juice
tomato juice

Tomato Juice

23 drinks

Go to Blackberry
blackberry

Blackberry

27 drinks

Go to Triple Sec
triple sec

Triple Sec

305 drinks

Go to Blueberry
blueberry

Blueberry

18 drinks

Go to Pineapple
pineapple

Pineapple

89 drinks

A tray with three Grapefruit Espresso Martinis

Get weekly drink recipes

Sign Up Now

Go to Get weekly drink recipes

Top ten drinks for any occasion

Go to Espresso Martini
3 Espresso Martini cocktails with Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, and espresso.

Espresso Martini

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Espresso, Coffee Bean, Ice Cubes

Go to Lemon Drop Shot
lemon drop

Lemon Drop Shot

Absolut Citron, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Lemon, Sugar, Superfine, Ice Cubes

Go to Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan cocktails made with Absolut Citron Lemon-Flavored Vodka, each garnished with Orange Zest.

Cosmopolitan

Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice (sweetened), Orange Zest, Ice Cubes

Go to Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary cocktails with lemon wedges, ice cubes, a metal jigger, and Absolut Vodka, garnished with lemon and celery.

Bloody Mary

Absolut Vodka, Tomato Juice, Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Lemon, Celery

Go to Mojito
mojito

Mojito

Light Rum, Lime Juice, Mint Leaf, Sugar, Superfine, Soda Water, Ice Cubes

Go to White Russian
White Russian Cocktails in Rock Glasses filled with ice next to a bottle of Absolut Vodka.

White Russian

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Cream, Ice Cubes

Go to Appletini
Two classic Appletini cocktails on a serving tray with a bottle of Absolut Vodka, the Appletini is made with Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice
Simple Syrup, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice and is garnished with a fresh slice of Green Apple.

Appletini

Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice, Ice Cubes

Go to Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island Iced Teas each in a tall glass with lots of ice, sitting on a metal tray next to a bottle of Absolut Vodka.

Long Island Iced Tea

Absolut Vodka, Light Rum, Gin, Tequila Blanco, Lemon Juice, Triple Sec, Cola, Lemon, Ice Cubes

Go to Amaretto Sour
amaretto sour

Amaretto Sour

Amaretto, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Maraschino, Orange, Ice Cubes

Go to Moscow Mule
moscow mule

Moscow Mule

Absolut Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Lime, Ice Cubes

hero banner image for Pina Colada