Sure, it may be a famous late-’70s earworm, but do we really even have to ask the question? I mean… who doesn’t love a Piña Colada?! It’s fresh, fruity, creamy, and instantly transports you somewhere sunny. And this version is a total tropical breeze to make—paper umbrella optional, but highly encouraged.

A creamy yellow pina colada smoothie in a glass, garnished with a pineapple slice and a paper umbrella, with a yellow striped straw. More pineapple slices and another enticing cocktail are in the background.

This Piña Colada is vacation energy in a glass—cool, creamy, pineapple-kissed, and blissfully simple to make at home. It blends frozen pineapple, light coconut milk, a splash of rum, and a tiny hit of coconut extract for that classic tropical flavor without needing a long list of ingredients.

I love giving nostalgic favorites a feel-good glow-up while keeping the soul of the recipe intact. Here, frozen pineapple brings natural sweetness and vitamin C, while light coconut milk creates that dreamy texture with a lighter touch than traditional cream of coconut. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, refreshingly frosty, and made right in the blender.

A quick note about canned light coconut milk: it’s basically full-fat coconut milk diluted with water. So if you’d like to be frugal—especially when making a big batch for a group—pick up regular coconut milk and mix it with equal parts water. Easy, economical, and it works beautifully.

This one fits perfectly into my boozy, sunny sipper lineup alongside my Blackberry Margarita, Watermelon Margarita, Strawberry Orange Daiquiri, and Gazpacho Martini—all festive drinks that bring big summer personality to the table. And for those who want to eat their colada, try my Piña Colada Fruit Cocktail—rum-soaked pineapple topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut.

And I have to say, Piña Coladas always make me think of beach vacations, floppy hats, and someone inevitably saying, “Wait, can you make mine extra pineapple-y?” In my house, that someone is often Ian. He’s very enthusiastic about “quality control,” especially when there’s a pineapple wedge garnish involved.

For a booze-free sip, skip the rum and enjoy it as a Piña Colada Smoothie—perfect for the morning, afternoon, or anytime you want a frosty tropical treat.

A creamy yellow pina colada smoothie in a glass, garnished with a pineapple slice and a paper umbrella, with a yellow striped straw. More pineapple slices and another enticing cocktail are in the background.
(5 stars) 1 rating

Tropical Piña Colada

ure it may be a famous (and ever so catchy) song from the late ‘70s, but do we really even have to ask the question. I mean, who doesn’t like piña coladas… made without added sugar?!?
Yield: 2 piña coladas
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • ¾ cup canned light coconut milk*
  • 1 ½ ounces rum
  • 1 to 2 drops coconut extract
  • 1 ½ cups frozen pineapple chunks
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut, optional
  • 2 wedges fresh pineapple, optional
  • 3 to 5 ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Starting with the liquids first, add all the ingredients to a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and garnish each with an optional pineapple wedge.

Notes

*Or mix 6 tablespoons full-fat coconut milk with equal parts water to create lite coconut milk.
• In my experience, adding the liquids to your blender first (and saving the pineapple and ice for last), will make blending MUCH easier. 
• If you’re following a gluten-free diet, be sure to carefully read the packaging for each ingredient. While these foods are inherently gluten-free, gluten can sometimes be added during processing for a variety of reasons, including for flavor and consistency.
• Similarly, if you’re dairy-free, check the ingredient list carefully for any hidden milk products.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories: 160Carbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gTotal Fat: 5g— Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g— Saturated Fat: 4.5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 20mgFiber: 2gTotal Sugar: 12g— Natural Sugar: 12g— Added Sugar: 0gVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 16mg
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!