Pina Colada Recipe With Malibu Rum

Summer weather calls for a creamy Pina Colada by the pool. There’s no better way to relax and enjoy the topical weather. Here is a fantastic and easy recipe to make a classic Pina Colada with Malibu Rum.

This piña colada recipe isn’t a difficult cocktail to make, but it does require a few ingredients that you may not have on hand. Be prepared by adding these ingredients to your shopping list so you have them when you’re ready.

» If you love Pina Coladas, why not try one (or all) of these delicious Hawaiian cocktails or other tropical cocktails that you can make at home.

Piña Colada ingredients

• Pineapple juice or frozen pineapple chunks – I really prefer fresh pineapple chunks for the best flavor and texture.
• Malibu Coconut Rum
• Coconut Milk (canned)
• Lime Juice
• Ice
• Maraschino cherries for garnish, if desired

What Rum is Best for Pina Colada

Malibu rum is the brand that I use. It adds an extra tropical flavor to the drink that white rum doesn’t. However, white rum is typically what is used in a piña colada, and you can use either.

I choose Malibu because it has a natural coconut flavor and a smooth and sweet finish. I’ve tried other coconut rums before and some have a more manufactured taste that doesn’t do well in this cocktail. If you want a really tasty pina colada, just stick with the Malibu.

Here are a few other options for coconut rum that you can order through Saucey, Malibu rum included (click image to go to the site).

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You can also use a light rum or dark rum (not spiced), if you can’t find Malibu or just want to use what you have on hand. It will still be delicious.

And of course you can make a virgin piña colada by just leaving the rum out of the drink. It’s not necessary to replace it with anything else.

Can I Use Vodka Instead of Rum?

I really wouldn’t recommend substituting vodka for rum in this drink because the taste profile is different, so it will have an affect on the drink. However, if you don’t like rum, or you’re in a pinch and only have vodka, you can use it in a pina colada. Just keep in mind that it’s not as flavorful or sweet, so you may need to add a bit of agave syrup or simple syrup to sweeten it.

What Kind of Coconut Milk to Use

For the coconut milk, you want to use the kind in the can. It has a creamy thickness to it that coconut milk in a carton (coconut milk for drinking) just can’t match. It’s also super easy to find, so you don’t have to go searching everywhere for cream of coconut.

If you’re wondering about substitutions, you can make the drink with a few other options but a can of coconut milk (like Thai Kitchen) is best. If you’re near a Trader Joes, we like their organic coconut cream in a can.

You can use coconut milk in the carton, if you need to. It doesn’t have the creaminess of the canned version, though so it will alter the taste. If you do make this substitution, also add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to give it that richness.

If you like your Pina Colada to be a bit chunky, you can use fresh pineapple instead of juice. It’ll be a smoother blend with juice.

If you have leftover pineapple or pineapple juice, you should definitely use it to make these Pineapple Rum Runners or these Pineapple Rum Slushes. So good!

Tools to Make a Pina Colada

There really aren’t a lot of tool necessary. One thing you absolutely need is a good blender with the ability to really chop the ice. This will lead to the smoothest frozen pina colada.

I recommend the Ninja countertop blender. It’s a 1000-watt blender that can destroy ice with its 6 blades. It’s a professional grade blender for just around $80. Such a good investment, especially if you make a lot of frozen cocktails and smoothies.

I also think you need hurricane glasses to serve your Pina Coladas in. This will elevate the cocktail experience to a truly authentic level. I can imagine it now. Feels like summer. If you’re not using a hurricane glass, use a tall glass that’s at least 12 oz (otherwise you’ll have 4 drinks instead of 2).

That’s all you need to make the perfect Pina Colada. Just blend up all the ingredients, poor it into your hurricane glass, top it with a tropical umbrella and you’re good to go.

Related Posts:

• Holiday Eggnog Cocktail Recipe
• 15 Best Tropical Beach Drinks for Summer (with Recipes)
• Bailey’s Red Velvet Cupcakes

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