Skip the blender and hit the shaker for this creamy, thirst-quenching treat.
If you’re like me, whenever you hear the words “Pina Colada”, your mind probably goes right to that song… you know, THAT song. And along with that song, you’re probably seeing big souvenir cups with crazy straws, filled to the brim with a frozen, tropical adult beverage that, honestly, I never had much interest in. But, things always change.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the Pina Colada sort of fell into this plastic image, one that cast a long shadow. It never fell out of popularity, but the quality of the cocktail significantly dipped since it was invented by bartender Ramon “Manchito” Marrero Perez in San Juan, Puerto Rico back in 1954. The drink proved to be so popular that it was named the official cocktail of Puerto Rico in 1978. Popularity gave way to convenience, as canned cream of coconut replaced fresh coconut milk, and eventually bottled mixers took the place of fresh, natural ingredients. The flavors became too sugary and sweet, causing the cocktail’s reputation to suffer.
If there’s anybody in this life you can trust, it’s a bartender. Drink experts and mixologists the world over have discovered the joys of a good Pina Colada and are making sure that its classic (and classy) reputation remains intact. The version we’re looking at today is simple, fresh and elegant. Using only three ingredients shaken over ice is a somewhat rare and more modern way to make a Pina Colada, as is serving it on the rocks. But trust me, once you have one this way, you’ll immediately want another. And another one after that.
Now, if you’ve never had an original, old-school Pina Colada, Twist and Toast has an amazing recipe that I recommend you try out. Then you can see which version you prefer on a hot, summer day.
Shaken and not blended?
Pina Coladas are usually whipped up in a blender for a frozen, boozy treat. Not this one. For this variation, you want to shake and serve over a nice amount of ice, preferably crushed. It doesn’t melt as fast and water my cocktail down, I’ve noticed. The flavor stays longer and that makes me a happy Colada drinker.
To Make a Piña Colada on the Rocks, what’s the best rum to use?
There are a lot of fancy and not-so-fancy rums from all over the planet that you can use, but I love the traditional mainstay: Bacardi Superior Carta Blanca. I recently wrote about the classic Daiquiri and used Bacardi Carta Blanca for that, just like the first Daiquiri, and wow, it was fantastic! I recommend it for your Shaken Pina Coladas, too. Its light, tropical taste sits right in between the sweet coconut and tart pineapple flavors. You can’t go wrong.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz of light rum
- 2 oz of pineapple juice
- 1 oz of coconut cream
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, then add the light rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream.
- Shake well for about 15 seconds till all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is cold.
- Fill a glass with ice, strain the mixture into the glass over the ice.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
You can use either a tall, Collins glass or a hurricane glass; the Collins glass is a straight sleek affair, while the hurricane glass is more rounded at the bottom and looks right at home at a beachside resort. Garnish with a wedge of fresh pineapple and, if you like, a little umbrella. Those cute umbrellas look like fun, until you accidentally poke yourself in the eye, so be mindful.
Since this recipe is served shaken or ice I’d recommend storing it in the fridge for no more than a day or two before you plan on serving any. Because the recipe calls for cream, you won’t want it to sit for too long. If you want a version that isn’t frozen but resembles more of a slushie, put your rum in the freezer overnight before mixing.
The Shaken Pina Colada is a little heavier than other cocktails, especially since its made with cream. Every glass you have will be about 251 calories, so bear that in mind as you enjoy these.
Switch out the rum for a nice, bold whiskey, like a Pendleton or High West Campfire, and yeehaw partner, you’ve got yourself a Cowboy Colada. Easy and delicious!
A Pina Colada traditionally uses store bought, pre-packaged pineapple juice, while a Coconut Colada uses freshly squeezed.
Unfortunately, no.
Piña Colada Variations
I’m going to go ahead and bet that you’re enjoying that Shaken Pina Colada you’ve been drinking and as a result, you’re getting curious… Twist and Toast has a few other Pina Colada recipes for you to try, as well as a few other similar drinks that you might also like:
- Virgin Pina Colada – Want the refreshing flavor and none of the alcohol? This recipe is the one you want.
- Chocolate Pina Colada – Dark and white rums come together with milk chocolate chips to create a drink that’s also a delicious dessert.
- Painkiller – With some of the same ingredients found in a Shaken Pina Colada, the Painkiller will be sure to bring the beach home to you.
- Bushwacker – A delicious and hearty mix of rum, cream and liqueurs. You’ll definitely want to go exploring some tropical locations with this cocktail.
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