Virgin Piña Colada Recipe

By
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/30/22
Tested by
Carrie Parente
Carrie Parente
Tested by Carrie Parente
Carrie is a freelance food stylist and culinary producer who loves having a table full of guests.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Virgin piña colada in cocktail glass, garnished with pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry on glass rim

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 2 to 3 servings
Yield: 2 to 3 drinks
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
167 Calories
1g Fat
40g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 167
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 40g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 36g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 46mg 232%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 255mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Next time you're having a spring or summer party, try this virgin piña colada recipe. This made-from-scratch drink is so refreshing and rich tasting, you won't even miss the alcohol.

The piña colada is a blended or iced cocktail that originated in Puerto Rico. It's usually made with white rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice. In this easy nonalcoholic recipe, just nix the rum and use coconut milk instead of the cream.

Since the recipe uses frozen pineapple chunks, you really don't need to add as much ice. Start with 1/4 cup and add more if you want a frostier drink. Blend it up until the consistency is smooth and creamy.

The traditional piña colada is garnished with either a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, or both. Feel free to garnish with what you like, including a little paper umbrella.

0:50

Click Play to See This Virgin Pina Colada Recipe Come Together

"Fun and easy recipe to whip up on a hot summer day. Perfect for your budding young chef as there's no slicing or dicing." —Carrie Parente

Virgin piña colada recipe tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened frozen pineapple chunks 

  • 1/4 cup ice

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk

  • 1 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar, optional

  • Fresh pineapple wedges, garnish

  • Maraschino cherries, garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for virgin piña colada recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  2. Place frozen pineapple chunks and ice in a blender.

    Pineapple chunks and ice cubes added to a blender

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  3. Pour pineapple juice and coconut milk over top. Add brown sugar, if using. Puree until smooth. Taste to test the sweetness and add more sugar, if needed.

    Cocktail ingredients blended to smooth, beige consistency in blender

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  4. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh pineapple wedges or a maraschino cherry.

    Virgin piña colada in cocktail glass being garnished with pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Tips

  • Chill the glasses while blending the drink: Fill them with crushed ice or ice water, then empty the glasses before pouring the piña coladas.
  • For easy cleanup, rinse the blender with hot water immediately so the sugars don't solidify and get sticky. You can also place the rinsed pitcher in the dishwasher or add a bit of soap and hot water to the pitcher, give it a whirl on the blender base, then rinse it out.
  • When using fresh pineapple, you will want to add more ice. Freeze any extra chunks to make piña coladas in the future.
  • Coconut milk comes in the traditional canned variety and cartons designed as a dairy alternative to milk. Either type works for drinks, though canned coconut milk creates a richer drink. If you're feeling adventurous, extract milk from a fresh coconut.
  • Shake canned coconut milk before opening it because it likes to separate.

Recipe Variations

  • No frozen pineapple? Try the coco colada recipe, which simply blends pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and ice.
  • For more of a smoothie, add a scoop of ice cream.
  • Unsweetened coconut cream is a great alternative to the milk; it simply doesn't have as much water. Cream of coconut is sweetened and richer and preferred for the original piña colada.
  • Use coconut or palm sugar instead of brown sugar. If using a hard, cake-like form of either sugar, crush it with a mortar and pestle or muddler into a consistency like brown sugar.
  • Liquid sweeteners are good options as well. Try 1 tablespoon of agave nectar, honey, or simple syrup and add more if needed.

Is the Virgin Piña Colada Healthy?

Piña coladas, in general, are not the healthiest drinks you can make. Though it's often blamed on the rum because it's produced from sugar, the liquor has no more calories or sugar than vodka. The bigger culprit is the cream. In this nonalcoholic recipe, unsweetened coconut milk reduces the sugar and calories, so it's a little healthier. If you use sweetened coconut milk (in either a can or carton), read the labels to see which is the healthier option.

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