Best Piña Colada Recipe – From Costa Rica
There are a million ways to use a Costa Rican pineapple but this is the best way- in a piña colada!
About This Best Piña Colada Recipe
Sweet, cold, and refreshing, this iconic drink is not only the hook to a Rupert Holmes track, but a summer staple in its own right!
It might have something to do with the fact that I spend a lot of time in sunny Costa Rica, but I love a good pina colada. (There’s so much fresh pineapple down here, so I had to take advantage!)
Before the summer wraps up, I wanted to share my go-to pina colada recipe with you all! This recipe is quick, simple, and only requires four ingredients. You don’t have a serve it in a pineapple, but if you are visiting Costa Rica, you definitely have to try this best pina colada recipe.
This is a great example of one of the most popular Costa Rican Cocktails and Alcoholic Drinks.
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Best Piña Colada Recipe – From Costa Rica
Ingredients for a single serving:
- 3 oz fresh pineapple juice
- 2 oz coconut milk or CocoLoco
- 3 oz dark rum
- 3/4 cup crushed ice or ice cubes
Instructions:
Prepare a batch of fresh pineapple juice according to this recipe, or use the store-bought variety.
Pour your pineapple juice, coconut milk, rum, and ice into a blender and pulse until fully incorporated.
Voila– an instant trip to the tropics!
If you’d like to make a whole pitcher, then quadruple the recipe above. (12 oz of pineapple juice and dark rum, 4 oz of coconut milk, and 3 cups of ice.)
Substitutions
Pineapple juice from the carton or the can is a quick and tasty alternative to making fresh juice from scratch. Frozen or canned pineapple chunks with 1 tsp of sugar will also do the trick!
It’s also possible to skip the pineapple juice in favor of a piña colada mix.
Variations
You’re welcome to add the same amount of coconut cream (I like the Coco Lopez variety) for a slightly richer taste, or even vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling especially decadent! Coconut water is another way to achieve that distinctive coconut flavor.
A squeeze of lime juice will also jazz up your piña colada!
Somewhat controversially, I prefer to use dark rum, but light rum (ron blanco) works, too! In Costa Rica, make sure to ask for the Ron Centenario- that’s standard. Here in the States, you can get Flor de Cana, a Nicaraguan rum that’s a great substitute. Otherwise, Bacardi Silver rum is great, as is Appleton white rum.
Another way to enjoy your piña colada is by freezing it in a popsicle mold overnight– hello, frozen piña colada pops!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your pina colada in a tall glass and sip away! Maraschino cherries, mini umbrellas, cubed pineapple, and coconut shavings are always fun garnishes if you’re in a festive mood. :)
For fun, you can hollow out a pineapple and use that fruit to make your juice. Then, pour your pina colada into the hollowed-out pineapple for an eco-friendly glass you can just compost when done! No dishes to wash. ;)
FAQ
What country invented the pina colada?
The pina colada was developed in Puerto Rico in 1954.
What does pina colada mean?
Pina colada translates to “strained pineapple” in Spanish.
What are the best types of rum to put in a pina colada?
Traditionally, pina coladas require light rum, but I love the flavor dark rum lends it. Try Captain Morgan’s Coconut rum or Malibu brand dark rum. Spiced rums work as well!
Printable Recipe
Pina colada Recipe
If you like getting caught in the rain, then this one is for you! Before the summer wraps up, here is a classic pina colada recipe to enjoy.
Ingredients
- 3 oz fresh pineapple juice
- 2 oz coconut milk or CocoLoco
- 3 oz dark rum
- 3/4 cup ice
Instructions
- Prepare a batch of fresh pineapple juice according to this recipe, or use the store-bought variety.
- Pour your pineapple juice, coconut milk, rum, and ice into a blender and pulse until fully incorporated.
Notes
If you'd like to make a whole pitcher, then quadruple the recipe above. (12 oz of pineapple juice and dark rum, 4 oz of coconut milk, and 3 cups of ice.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 789Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 162mgCarbohydrates: 127gFiber: 10gSugar: 99gProtein: 5g
Please double-check this information with your favorite nutrition calculator.
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Meet Christa
I’m Christa and I help families plan stress-free, culturally immersive trips to Costa Rica. As a home chef, I also share my passion for Costa Rican food through authentic recipes. My mission is to help your family fall in love with Costa Rica through practical advice, unforgettable experiences, and delicious meals.