Piña Colada

Piña Colada is a tropical beverage that is very creamy with lots of pineapple flavor.  The term, Piña Colada, refers to pineapples being strained, which consists of freshly pressed pineapples to obtain the juice.  I love to prepare this cocktail with homemade pineapple juice and fresh pineapple chunks for a more fruity pineapple flavor.  However, today canned pineapple juice and canned pineapple chunks are readily available at the supermarket.

For this recipe,  you will also need 1 cup of cream of coconut.  The cream of coconut creates a creamy texture and provides a subtle taste of coconut flavor to the Piña Colada.   I normally purchased the canned cream of coconut.  Furthermore, you can also prepare this beverage without alcohol if you so desire.

Food History!

The Piña Colada originated in Puerto Rico.  In 1978, Puerto Rico also publicly announced this cocktail as its official drink.  Therefore, National Piña Colada Day is celebrated throughout the island on July 10th.

The Taíno Indians cultivated the pineapples before the arrival of the Europeans.  For decades, the pineapples known as Piña Cabezona were the most popular among the different types of pineapples grown in Puerto Rico.

Cutting the Pineapple!

This is a fresh pineapple.  The skin has a diamond pattern and is called the rind.  When the rind is mostly yellow, the pineapple is considered ripe.

Using a sharp knife, cut off the top end with spiky leaves (known as the crown) and the bottom end of the ripe pineapple.  

Lastly, cut the pineapple in half lengthwise.

Coring the Pineapple!

Once you cut the pineapple in half, you will find a core (which is not edible) running down the center of the pineapple.

To remove the core, carefully place a serrated knife along the edge of the core and cut down at an angle following the core.  Repeat the same cut on the other side of core.

We can now remove the center core.

With a knife, cut the half of the pineapple in half.  Repeat this process with the other half of pineapple.

Cutting the Pineapple into Chunks!

We just finished cutting the pineapple into quarters.

For each quarter, carefully make a center cut lengthwise close to the skin.

Secondly, rotate the pineapple and cut across into ½ to 1-inch slices barely touching the skin.

Thirdly, carefully run your knife between the flesh and skin to remove the pineapple chunks.

Fourthly, remove pineapples chunks and place in a bowl.

Lastly, turn pineapple section to the other side and carefully, tilting rind, run knife between the flesh and skin to remove the pineapple chunks.

Here you have one section cut into pineapple chunks and then placed in bowl.  Continue this process for the remaining pineapple quarters.

Note:  The rind can be used to make our pique!

I placed all the pineapple chunks into a bowl after coring and cutting 2 pineapples into chunks.   Reserve 1½ cups of pineapple chunks for the Piña Colada.

Blending the Pineapple Chunks!

I added the remaining pineapple chunks into electric blender (after reserving 1½ cups) and then poured ⅓ cup of water to help liquify the chunks of pineapple.   

Cover blender with lid and beat at high speed until the pineapple chunks become liquid.

Straining the Pineapple Juice for the Piña Colada!

The next step is to strain the liquified pineapple chunks.  I placed a mesh strainer over this bowl and lined it with cheese cloth.

Let’s pour the pineapple liquid through the cheese cloth. 

We are going to lift the cheese cloth and squeeze out the liquid with your hands.  Continue this process until you extract all the juice.

Lift strainer from bowl to see how much juice was extracted from the liquified pineapple chunks.  You will need 3 cups of pineapple juice for this recipe.

Blending all the Ingredients to Prepare the Piña Colada!

We are ready to blend all of these ingredients to prepare the Piña Colada.    Let’s start by adding 3 cups of homemade pineapple juice, 1 cup of cream of coconut, ¾ cup of white rum (or to taste), 1½ cups fresh pineapple chunks and 1 cup of crushed ice or ice cubes.  Cover blender with lid and beat at high speed until all the ingredients are well blended and forms a creamy texture.

Note:  Since the cream of coconut has the tendency of separating the coconut cream on top and the coconut water at the bottom, stir to combine both contents before measuring one cup of cream of coconut. 

The Piña Colada has a smooth consistency.  We can now pour the Piña Colada into a pitcher.

Serving the Piña Colada!

I love to decorate the rim of a drinking glass with a fresh slice of pineapple chunk before pouring the Piña Colada.   However, you can also serve it with whip cream and a maraschino cherry.

Furthermore, this drink can be prepared with or without alcohol.  Invite your friends over to enjoy this delicious tropical drink known as Piña Colada!

Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Prepare a Piña Colada!

Recipe and Nutritional Facts

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only.  Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer more information.

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