Virgin Piña Colada
A velvety smooth, tropical mocktail combining rich coconut cream, sweet pineapple juice, and crushed ice for a refreshing, vacation-worthy drink that brings the beach to your home without any alcohol needed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks or canned pineapple in juice, drained
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice 100% juice for best flavor
- 1/4 cup coconut cream not coconut milk, which is thinner
- 1/4 cup cream of coconut like Coco Lopez, which adds sweetness
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup or agave nectar adjust to taste
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Pineapple slices maraschino cherries, and umbrella picks for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your pineapple by cutting it into chunks if using fresh, or drain canned pineapple while reserving some juice for the recipe.
- Add pineapple chunks and pineapple juice to your blender, making sure there’s enough liquid to help the blending process start smoothly.
- Add coconut cream and cream of coconut to the blender, scraping the containers well to get all of the thick, creamy goodness.
- Pour in your sweetener starting with less than you think you need—you can always add more after tasting.
- Add ice cubes and secure the blender lid tightly to prevent any tropical explosions in your kitchen.
- Blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth and no ice chunks remain. The mixture should have a thick, slushy consistency.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or thickness by adding more sweetener or ice as needed.
- Pour immediately into chilled glasses for the best texture and temperature.
- Garnish with pineapple slices and cherries, adding colorful straws or umbrellas for that authentic tropical presentation.
Notes
- For a creamier version, you can replace some of the ice with frozen pineapple chunks.
- If you find coconut cream too rich, substitute part of it with coconut milk for a lighter texture.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the freezer for up to 30 minutes before serving—just give it a quick stir if it starts to separate.
- For an extra flavor dimension, try adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a few mint leaves.
- Look for unsweetened coconut cream in the Thai food section of your grocery store for the most authentic flavor.