Homemade pina colada made with fresh, frozen, or canned pineapple, light rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream.
Homemade pina colada frozen cocktails are easy to make at home. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned pineapple for this recipe but for best results, use fresh pineapple that has been cut into chunks and frozen prior to blending.
The best rum to use for Pina Coladas is the best kind of rum you can afford. The better the rum, the better the drink. You can also choose to use coconut rum.
You can choose to use coconut cream, or cut down the sugar and use the coconut cream found on the top of a can of coconut milk. See below for how to make a pina colada without refined sugars.
Homemade Pina Colada
Refined Sugar-Free Pina Colada
Pina Coladas are easy to make without any refined sugar with a few small ingredient swaps.
Coconut Cream: Many pina colada recipes call for coconut cream, which is a sweetened version of coconut cream. To make a refined sugar-free version use the rich coconut cream found on the top of a can of unsweetened coconut milk or find a can of unsweetened coconut cream.
Simple Syrup: A simple syrup made with powdered monk fruit rather than white sugar provides the perfect touch of sweetness to balance out the other flavors. Just follow the recipe found in the Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe.
Simple syrup is normally prepared using a 1:1 ratio of refined white sugar to water. In general, monk fruit sweetener is considered a 1:1 replacement for sugar, but in this case, a 1:2 ratio (one part sweetener to two-parts water) works well because the pineapple is inherently sweet.
Pineapple Juice: Make sure that the pineapple juice you use is 100% juice with no sugar added. This will keep your pina colada free of refined sugars.
Homemade Pina Colada Ingredients
- Fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple: fresh is best
- Coconut cream or a can of coconut milk
- Pineapple juice
- Simple syrup
- Light rum
- Ice
How to Make a Homemade Pina Colada
Prepare the simple syrup if it is not already made. Make a sugar-free simple syrup by combining the powdered monk fruit sweetener and water in a small skillet. Stir to combine and heat until the sweetener dissolves completely, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Place the frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut cream, rum, and one-quarter cup of simple syrup into a blender and blend until smooth.
While the blender is still running, add the ice a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Do not remove the top of the blender to do this! Most blenders have an opening in the top so you can add ingredients safely without removing the lid.
Turn the blender off and remove the lid. Taste and add additional simple syrup, if desired, and blend for another 30 seconds to combine.
To serve, pour into glasses and serve immediately garnished with fresh pineapple slices.
Mocktail Version
The kids don’t have to be left out of enjoying this delicious drink! Just omit the rum and replace with 1 oz. coconut cream and 3 oz. pineapple juice before blending.
Homemade Pina Colada
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh frozen pineapple chunks see note above
- 8 oz. pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup cream of coconut
- 4 oz. light rum
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 6-8 ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare simple syrup, if not already made.
- To make sugar-free syrup: Combine the powdered monk fruit sweetener and water in a small skillet. Stir to combine and heat until the sweetener dissolves completely, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Place the frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut cream, rum, and one-quarter cup of simple syrup into a blender and blend until smooth.
- While the blender is still running, add the ice a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Turn the blender off and remove the lid. Taste and add additional simple syrup, if desired, and blend for another 30 seconds to combine.
- To serve, pour into glasses and serve immediately garnished with fresh pineapple slices.