Strawberry Colada

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Have a sweet, smooth and refreshingly fruity experience every time you sip on the Strawberry Colada cocktail.

The island was small, and the beachside resort that it hosted was even smaller. This almost-secret little hideaway made jaws drop upon anyone’s first time stepping off the little puddle-jumping plane that brought them there. The sky was always a deep, royal blue that seemed to go on in every direction, broken only by a perfect horizon and fluffy, white clouds. How could anyone spend any time here and be sad?

Yet, there was a sad person sitting by themselves at a tiny table near the poolside bar, overlooking the gentle ocean that seemed to mirror the sky above. Their clothes were sad, their shoes looked sad… Heck, even their sunhat’s brim seemed to droop down in the form of a grumpy frown, almost mimicking its wearer’s face. How could they be so sad, sitting here in a crowd-less and near-perfect paradise setting?

But soon a waiter would glide by, and with a flourish, served them a tall and large glass full of something pink and smooth-looking. And upon receiving this concoction topped with little cocktail umbrellas and colorful straws, the sad guest suddenly brightened, their face shining like the sun and hands clapping in gratitude. They sipped deeply, their eyes rolling back in ecstasy, followed by guttural moaning and groaning that caused nearby parents to cover their children’s ears. I waved at the waiter, who quickly scooted over with a smile.

Clandestinely inquiring about the once-sad guest’s beverage, the waiter whispered it was a simple, yet stunning Strawberry Colada. A smooth and frozen mixture of rum, strawberries, pineapple juice and coconut, it’s a constant favorite of many of the patrons here, including the sad one in question. As they seemed to be enjoying it immensely, I had to order one for myself. Once I got it and started to drink, I did indeed begin to smile big.

The moaning I kept to myself, however.

What is the best rum to use in a Strawberry Colada?

We’ll want a clear and crisp white—or silver—rum to mix this Colada with. The tropically-tinged and unaged spirit will meld beautifully with the other ingredients we’ll need, especially the fruit. The rum will have subtle notes of banana, vanilla, and sugarcane, which will complement the pineapple juice and cream of coconut so well that you’ll think these elements were created just to be together. The clear color of the spirit will also help give this drink its light red/pink color.

What glass and garnish to use?

Find a large and bulb-shaped hurricane glass to drink your Strawberry Colada out of. Once it’s poured in, garnish the rim with a fresh strawberry and pineapple wedge, then pop a few straws and mini-umbrellas in for good measure.

Can you use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?

You can, but the frozen strawberries act as ice in the blending process, so if you’re opting to use fresh fruit, add an extra cup of ice cubes to your mixture to keep the thick, slushy consistency.

Other Coladas worth trying

Some of the finest and fruitiest cocktails can be found in the form of a Colada. And you don’t need to travel around the globe and find secret little island resorts to enjoy one, either. All you have to do is make your way to the Twist & Toast website and try out some of the recipes that are on hand and available whenever a thirst hits you.

• Piña Colada – The original, classic version of the rum and coconut favorite.
• Chocolate Piña Colada – Make your next dessert a Colada with this decadent mélange.
• Keto Piña Colada – Watch your waistline with this skinny and guilt-free version.
• Shaken Piña Colada – Serve this tipple shaken and on the rocks instead of blended.