The Best Virgin Piña Colada Recipe (Piñada) - My Latina Table (2024)

FAQs

Is coconut milk or coconut cream better for pina colada? ›

Can I Make a Piña Colada with Coconut Milk? Technically, yes. However, I've found that cream of coconut makes for the best piña coladas.

If you like piña colada, you should know the famous tropical drink was invented in Puerto Rico! The sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice was born in San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy on the island.

The name piña colada (Spanish) literally means "strained pineapple", a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink's preparation.

Another complex layer of flavor appears when you add the rum. I use a combination of dark rum and white rum in my Piña Colada recipe, so we get the best of both worlds. Dark rum has a wonderful caramelly, molasses-y flavor with notes of spice, and white rum adds a touch of creamy vanilla.

No cream of coconut? No problem. You can make a pina colada with coconut milk. This simple take on the classic tropical co*cktail is made without a blender and served on the rocks, but it's just as creamy and delicious as the classic.

Mojito. Hailing from Cuba, the Mojito is a popular Hispanic drink that has made its mark globally. It's a refreshing blend of rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint.

The piña colada hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico where it was created by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in 1954.

Puerto Rico's National Drink: The Piña Colada.

"Una piña colada sin alcohol, por favor." Remember that the "h" is silent, so the pronunciation is something like "AL-col." A vigin piña colada is a batido de piña con coco sin leche.

While the traditional co*cktail is made with rum, cream of coconut, and freshly strained pineapple juice, we keep things non-alcoholic around here and skip the booze. Piña coladas can be made either blended or shaken with ice. Both are delicious, but we tend to favor the slushier blended version.

What liquor is best for Piña Colada? ›

The best rum to use is a light rum.

Choose one that you like to drink! Avoid using dark rum because the flavor is a little too caramel-y and rich for a piña colada. This drink is all about fresh and fruity flavors so the light rum works best.

Malibu. If you're looking for an extra coconutty Piña Colada that's lighter on the alcohol, Malibu is a solid rum choice. Because it's only 42 proof, you can drink a couple without getting too tipsy. It's also great for those who want to up the creamy coconut notes and downplay the fruity pineapple flavor.

The smooth, coconutty flavor of Malibu Rum combined with a burst of sunshine and sweet tanginess from DOLE^® Pineapple Juice create a harmonious fusion that's as peaceful as relaxing on a Caribbean beach.

Coconut cream uses a higher ratio of the flesh and has more fat. You'll find coconut cream is used frequently in dessert recipes but can be subbed for coconut milk if you're looking for an extra thick curry sauce. (This Summer Coconut Chickpea Curry from Half Bake Harvest looks fantastic.)

Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut is considered the gold standard when making piña coladas. It's available at most large supermarkets, typically found in the section with co*cktail mixers and other drink ingredients.

Coconut cream also comes in a can, and it has a higher concentration of coconut meat. It is thicker, has a higher fat content and is scoop-able throughout. Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa.

Can You Replace Coconut Cream with Coconut Milk? The good news about coconut cream and coconut milk is that although they may be different consistencies, they're very similar. You can use coconut cream in place of milk if you dilute it with additional water. Different coconut cream brands vary on fat content.