This piña colada with coconut milk is an easy tropical summer time cocktail. Plus, it is made without any cream of coconut! Blend all ingredients together and this piña colada is ready to serve.
Coconut Milk vs Cream Of Coconut
Coconut milk and cream of coconut sound very similar, which can be confusing, but these are not the same ingredient and shouldn’t be used interchangeably.
Most piña colada recipes use cream of coconut, but this recipe is made with coconut milk.
Here are some of the main differences between the two ingredients:
Most people are familiar with coconut milk as it is often used in cooking and easy to find in pretty much any grocery store.
It is sold in a can and when it is opened, there is often a more liquid portion on the bottom and thicker, creamier part on top.
Before using the coconut milk, you should mix in the creamy, thick layer until the coconut milk has a smooth consistency.
Cream of coconut is not as common a recipe ingredient. It is mostly used to make cocktail drinks — most famously, piña coladas.
It is also sold in cans, although sometimes you can find it in a squeeze bottle.
The problem is that it is much fattier, and also less versatile, so you’ll probably be left with a lot of extra cream of coconut that you don’t have a use for.
Cream of coconut is made by taking the top layer that forms over coconut milk and processing it. A bunch of artificial ingredients and sweetners are added to it to turn it into a sweet, thick syrup.
But you don’t need to make piña coladas with cream of coconut because they taste just as good with coconut milk!
- Frozen Pineapple: Frozen pineapple adds thickness to the piña colada as well as a slight slushy texture. Some people prefer to freeze their own pineapple chunks for a fresher flavor, but store bought frozen pineapple works well too.
- Coconut Milk: Make sure to mix the can of coconut milk well before using. One can of coconut milk will make about 6 piña coladas.
- Rum: This recipe uses a combination of white rum and Malibu rum. Malibu adds a stronger coconut flavor to compensate for the lack of cream of coconut. If you want a sweeter drink, you can replace the white rum with Malibu.
- Pineapple Juice: A bit of pineapple juice gives the piña colada a smoother consistency. Without it, it will be too thick. Use a high quality pineapple nectar. Avoid overly fruity juice blends.
- Simple Syrup: You can make your own simple syrup or use a store bought simple syrup.
- Coconut Extract: A dash of coconut extract adds the right amount of sweetness and brings out the coconut flavor.
You will need the following equipment to make this cocktail:
- A blender to blend the piña colada together into a smooth cocktail.
- Classic piña colada glasses (called Poco Grande glasses) or hurricane glasses to serve the drink in.
- Cocktail picks to add pineapple and maraschino cherry garnishes to the drink.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This piña colada is made without any cream of coconut! This recipe uses coconut milk instead, which is overall healthier and an ingredient you probably already have on hand.
- This piña colada is not overly sweet, unlike piña coladas made from pre-made mixes.
- If you have leftover coconut milk from another recipe, this is a great way to use up leftover coconut milk before it goes bad.
Can I use coconut milk instead of coconut cream in a pina colada?
How do you make a coconut milk pina colada?
A simple coconut milk pina colada recipe you can use to make the classic frozen drink or a non-alcoholic version. Add coconut milk, frozen pineapple and rum to high-powered blender and blend until smooth. Skip the rum for a virgin pina colada. Add water if needed to thin.
Can one use coconut milk instead of whole milk?
Coconut milk can be replaced by whole cow’s milk even if they do not have the same properties. You can also drink almond milk and other nuts.
Can I make a PIA Colada with coconut milk?
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This piña colada with coconut milk is an easy tropical summer time cocktail. Plus, it is made without any cream of coconut! Blend all ingredients together and this piña colada is ready to serve. Piña coladas are the perfect beachy Caribbean cocktail.
What can I substitute for rum in a Pina Colada?
Virgin Piña Colada – you can omit the rum completely and add more coconut milk and pineapple juice, or check out my pina colada lassi recipe! Chi Chi – replace the rum with vodka. Staten Island Ferry cocktail – add equal amounts of coconut rum and pineapple juice. Serve on the rocks (pour it over ice).