Typically a Piña Colada is made using a white rum base, as the lighter and cleaner flavors complement the fruitiness of the juices. However, some bartenders will experiment with different styles of rum to introduce spicier notes or added complexity to the cocktail. For example, dark rum brings deeper notes of molasses, caramel, and spice to the drink for a more robust tasting experience. Whichever route you choose, pineapple juice pairs perfectly with all styles of rum as one of the top mixers with this spirit. Its refreshing and sweet notes effortlessly balance the vibrancy of a white rum, and stand up to the woodier notes found in darker rums.
While you can purchase bottled Piña Coladas, it’s worth taking the time to make it from scratch. Store-bought options can taste artificial and lack the authentic, creamy texture of a classic colada. Freshly squeezing the lime and using fresh pineapple juice helps bring out the best of the tropical ingredients for a Piña Colada drink, which you’ll miss in a prepared option.
If you can’t find cream of coconut at your local store, you can swap in coconut milk, but it’s not as sweet or creamy as cream of coconut. As such, you may find your cocktail lacks the desirable thick texture of a traditional colada, but it will retain the key coconut flavor.
A Piña Colada is one of the most famous classic cocktails to try making at home, and once you’ve perfected your colada recipe, try shaking up a selection of the most popular cocktails globally.
Frozen vs. Shaken Methods
While we’ve shared a shaken method above for making a tasty Piña Colada, it is typically made in frozen form using a blender. This method creates a lighter and less icy cocktail overall. You can follow the recipe above and simply add all of the ingredients, including ice, to a blender instead, before pouring it out into the glass. The frozen blended method is also easier if you’re making a batch of Piña Coladas for friends and family, as it’s far quicker than shaking up two drinks at a time. You can even mix all of the ingredients in advance in a pitcher, minus the ice, and pour straight into the blender with ice when you’re ready to serve.
The shaken method does, however, help to stop the cocktail from becoming too diluted, while still maintaining a pleasing temperature for serving. The shaken method will also provide you with a refined cocktail and more distinct flavors in the end drink.
Garnishing and Serving Style
For garnish inspiration, it’s best to consider what’s in a Piña Colada, to complement the flavors within. Traditionally, you’ll find this cocktail garnished with a pineapple wedge, and sometimes a bright green pineapple leaf too. As this popular drink was invented in the 1950s, a retro bright red cocktail cherry is also the perfect way to nod to this cocktail’s history. Piña Coladas are almost always poured into long, tall, and curvy hurricane glasses over ice, for that vacation-style serve. Some bartenders have recently been experimenting with glassware to create more elegant versions of the drink, opting to use sleek highball glasses or short tumblers, to vary the presentation.
Intended for ages 21+. Please drink responsibly.
