Known as the official drink of Puerto Rico, the pina colada was created in San Juan and has become a staple cocktail enjoyed all over the world. Frozen pina coladas can be found at every tropical resort and in most bars. Pina colada mixes are available (just add ice and blend), but you'll want to find the best pina colada recipe and try blending one from fresh pina colada ingredients to find out how luscious this sweet treat can be.
Experiment with different kinds of rum. Many people find it is acceptable to use inexpensive rum in pina coladas while others swear that the best pina colada recipes use quality Puerto Rican rum. Although most standard recipes call for light rum, many people report dark rum or amber rum to be fantastic in these recipes.
Classic Pina Colada Recipe
Combine three ounces of light rum, three tablespoons of coconut cream and three tablespoons of crushed fresh pineapple with two cups of crushed ice in a blender. Blend and serve in a goblet with a wedge of fresh pineapple.
Sophisticated Pina Colada Recipe
Combine 1 ½ ounces of white rum, one ounce of dark rum, 1 ½ ounces coconut cream, one ounce of heavy whipping cream, three ounces of pineapple juice, two cups of ice and a dash of bitters in a blender. Serve in a goblet or hurricane glass with a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry for garnish.
Pina Colada on the Rocks
For a different twist, try combining three ounces light rum, three tablespoons coconut flavored liqueur, one half cup of pineapple juice and one tablespoon of lime juice. Shake in a cocktail shaker with ice for one minute. Pour cocktail - ice and all - into a goblet and serve with a wedge of pineapple.
Non-Alcoholic Pina Coladas for the Kids
Mix up equal parts coconut cream and pineapple juice with ice in a blender for the kiddies and anyone who can't drink alcohol. For fun, serve the drink in a coconut shell with a fancy umbrella.
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