Ultimate Pina Colada Recipe

Ultimate Piña Colada Recipe: only a few ingredients to a delicious happy hour drink that makes you feel like you are on vacation. This video is filmed on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Martin. Because in true Island hospitality, a drink among friends is a daily tradition! And using local artisanal ingredients like Ma Doudou Rhum makes this even more scrumptious. Although Caribbean islands are a favorite travel destination, making this Ultimate Pina Colada recipe at home, takes me back! And it can make you feel like you’re on vacation too. Dust off your blender and let’s Happy Hour! Feels like Spring Break. Perfect for a fun dinner and drinks or Happy Hour at home. And amazing to make in a Vacation Rental.

Ultimate Piña Colada Recipe Locations

If you are looking for a wonderful Island holiday, the Caribbean has something for everyone. Take a look at travel requirements.  As Americans can only travel to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI) without a passport. Because of the beautiful, sparkling turquoise water, the Caribbean is a favorite vacation spot of ours! In fact, these islands are especially fantastic for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. Additionally, easy flights from the USA, especially the East Coast. And, there are a lot of great home rentals in most budgets. Actually, one of our favorite trips is staying on either St. Thomas (East side) or on neighboring island of St. John. And then explore the USVI as well as the British Virgin Islands (BVI’s) on day trips. Of course the Turks & Caicos, St. Kitts, St. Bart’s, and out islands of Bahamas are also spectacular! So many locations to have a cool cocktail 🙂

Best Rum for Piña Colada Recipes

So, if you see all the choices of rum at your liquor store, it is easy to be confused. While there is light rum (silver), dark rum (gold), spiced rum, aged rum (reserve), flavored rum (coconut, banana)…The best rum is the one you already have on hand! 😎 Seriously, for a fruity Pina Colada cocktail, a light rum (silver or gold rum, not expensive) is perfect. Now, being a discerning drinker, pouring 1 oz. of a good rum on top, makes this the Ultimate Pina Colada recipe! Because of vast experience, I recommend Cruzan Black Strap Rum. Trust me, I am really known for my food and drinks!  Also, Cruzan has a Pina Colada Martini recipe too. Simply add 1 part each Coconut Rum, Pineapple Rum and a splash of pineapple juice in a shaker with ice. Of course, served in a martini glass with a slice of pineapple to garnish. Variety is the spice of life! As always, drink responsibly: legal drinking age, never drink and drive.

To make the Ultimate Virgin Pina Colada/Mocktail Pina Colada recipe, omit alcohol and add 2 ozs. cranberry juice. Delicious! And easy to determine by beautiful pink color, the non-alcoholic drink. And looks especially festive in these Cocktail Glasses!

Food and Drink Pairing

This Easy Pina Colada recipe is extra delicious served with grilled shrimp, grouper/cod, pineapple slices or Key Lime Pie! The cool, creaminess somewhat surprisingly cools off spiciness. So, add some hot sauce to the shrimp cocktail sauce (mix ketchup, squeeze of lemon, horseradish). Or serve this Pina Colada with BBQ. Of course, this is a very common pairing in the Islands. And for good reason: #yum

Not only a frozen drink, this recipe can be made on the rocks. Therefore no blender required. Always need a backup in case of power outages! Just add all ingredients in a shaker of ice and pour into glasses. Serving with a little umbrella is entirely up to you.

Because Happy Hour/dinner at home can be fun, inexpensive and entice you to book your next Holiday- Cheers!

Plan Your Next Vacation

Because everyone needs a vacation! As well as a new place to enjoy a cocktail. Here are our highly recommended travel resources. And we use all of these for years.

• Airfare, good for prices and routes – momondo.com
• Apartment rental VRBO.
• Air B&B rentals – using our link can save you up to $65!
• Car and RV rentals Worldwide from AutoEurope
• Trip Insurance (you need this, really) Travelguard or from World Nomads

More, More, More

And wait to you see our next posts: Affordable Dream Trips, Easy Charcuterie Boards, Aperitivo and much more! Subscribe to never miss anything.

Also, if you’ve enjoyed this post, found it useful (or amusing!) or think someone else will, please share using the social media buttons below. Or leave us a comment! We LOVE to hear from you. How do you make your Ultimate Pina Colada Recipe? What do you enjoy eating with this creamy concoction? Did you try with pour of rum on top? Vacation in a glass! 🍹

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5 from 3 votes

Ultimate Pina Colada Recipe

On vacation or want to be? This cool, Caribbean Cocktail is super simple and ready in seconds...just make sure you have enough on hand for another round - Cheers!

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, Caribbean

Keyword: Cocktails, Drinks, Happy Hour

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Rum we used Banana Vanilla Rum
• 2 oz. Pineapple Coconut Juice
• 1 oz. Cream de Coconut
• 2 cups ice
• 1 oz. Black Strap Rum optional, suggest Cruzan Black Strap Rum

Instructions

• Put ice and all other ingredients in a blender and blend. Pour into large cocktail/hurricane glasses. Bar Tender Tip, Optional: Add 1 oz. Black Strap Rum on top. Garnish with a slice of pineapple, raspberries or cherries and a reuseable straw. Enjoy!

Notes

Filmed on location in St. Martin, French West Indies. When the Caribbean calls, make one of these cool concoctions! Note: we used a local Caribbean rum but feel free to use what you like!

If you are feeling a little adventurous add a half a banana to the blender - you'll be surprised at how these little tweaks really add something! Other additions: splash of vanilla, dash of cinnamon or grating of nutmeg on top. 

Serve with grilled shrimp, pineapple or grouper!

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