Authentic Puerto Rican Piña Colada Recipe: Taste Paradise In Every Sip Puerto Rican Recipes Cocktails Beverages Fruit Gluten-free Low Sodium Recipes Entertaining

Elisa Schmitz

April 30, 2024

Growing up as the daughter of a Puerto Rican mother, I ate a lot of coconut and pineapple. On frequent visits to see my family in Puerto Rico, one of my favorite things was to visit the local bakery (la panaderia) and buy a loaf of fresh-baked Puerto Rican water bread (pan de agua), still warm from the oven; a block of fresh white cheese (queso del pais); and a can of pineapple juice (jugo de piña). That comforting and refreshing meal would fuel me all day.

As I grew up, I discovered the piña colada – the national drink of Puerto Rico – and my life was forever changed. With the hot tropical sun beating down, sipping an ice cold, smooth and creamy piña colada was a little slice of heaven. Those authentic Puerto Rican piña coladas offered the taste of paradise in every sip.

The delicious blending of pineapple juice, cream of coconut, white rum and ice was invented in San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy in Puerto Rico. Three different Puerto Rican bartenders claim the piña colada as their original creation, including two bartenders from The Caribe Hilton Hotel and one from Barrachina, a restaurant in Old San Juan.

Regardless of which Puerto Rican bartender served it first, the piña colada is legendary in Puerto Rico (and everywhere else). So when my husband and I recently returned to Puerto Rico for a family reunion, one of the first things I did was order a piña colada. It was just as dreamy as ever. We enjoyed many piña coladas during our stay on La Isla del Encanto. So, when it was time to return home, I knew the refreshing drink was one of the things I would miss the most.

That's why I make the authentic Puerto Rican piña colada right here at home. Our official house cocktail is so easy to make, and it brings you the taste of the tropics in every glass. Here are the simple ingredients you need to take your own trip to paradise: cream of coconut (be sure to use Coco Lopez brand, as it was created specifically for making an authentic piña colada and is considered the gold standard), pineapple juice, white rum and ice. The pineapple chunks are optional, as is the cherry garnish.

Blend it all up, pour it into a pretty glass, top it with a cherry and start sipping. Enjoy the taste of paradise without leaving your home. Serve one for your friends and family – even non-drinkers can enjoy it as a mocktail because the piña colada is equally delicious without rum!

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Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

6 ounces pineapple juice
6 ounces cream of coconut (Coco Lopez brand)
5 ounces white rum
2 cups ice
1 cup frozen or fresh pineapple chunks (optional)

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Recipe Notes

You can use more or less rum, depending on your preferences. For a non-alcoholic version, leave out the rum.

You can add a dark rum "floater" on top, if desired. A floater is an additional layer of rum that enhances the presentation and flavor of the drink (it looks pretty and smells nice). Just be careful, as it adds additional alcohol as well!

Garnish with a Luxardo or Maraschino cherry, pineapple wedge and/or a paper straw or cocktail umbrella, if desired.

Here's how you make it:

Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy smooth.
Garnish with a cherry, straw or cocktail umbrella, if you like. Start sipping!

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 492

Total Fat: 15g

Saturated Fat: 13.5g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 45mg

Total Carbohydrate: 75g

Dietary Fiber: 3g

Total Sugars: 71g

Protein: 0.5g

Vitamin D: 0mcg

Calcium: 10mg

Iron: 0mg

Potassium: 120mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography. We may occasionally reference products based on a contributor’s personal opinion. But 30Seconds is not affiliated or in no way endorses or makes any warranties about specific products.

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Pineapple Juice

Coconut Cream

Luxardo Cherries

Maraschino Cherries

Cocktail Umbrellas

Blenders

Smoothie Glasses

Cocktail Glasses

Biodegradable Paper Straws

Measuring Cups

Picnic Baskets

Beach Towels

Jiggers

This authentic piña colada recipe is almost like dessert for me. So sweet, rich and creamy. Irresistible!

Terry

Hi Elisa Schmitz ! Just to confirm that the optional 1c of fresh/frozen pineapple is also added to the blender, as appears to the case in the photo ? If so, doesn't it dilute the cocktail? Thanks!

Hi Terry ! Hope you’re doing well. Yes, I added some fresh pineapple in the blender because I love pineapple! If you don’t want the extra flavor boost, leave it out. As I note in the Recipe Notes, the amount of rum is really up to your preferences. Some people want more rum taste (and effects!) while others prefer less. But the original recipe without the fresh / frozen pineapple is the “authentic” recipe! So good!!