Pina Colada Cocktail Recipe

Taste

Sweet, Creamy & Tropical

Skill Level

Easy

Prep Time

5 Minutes

Few drinks say holiday mode quite like the Piña Colada. This tropical classic is rich, smooth and bursting with the sun-soaked flavours of pineapple and coconut. With its silky texture and bright, fruity aroma, it’s the perfect escape in a glass, whether you’re lounging in the garden or dreaming of sandy beaches and warm seas.

Our version combines Ghost Rum with a lush banana, pineapple and coconut smoothie, a touch of coconut cream, lime juice, and vanilla syrup for a beautifully balanced, indulgent twist on the original.

Ingredients

• 50ml Ghost Rum

• 100ml banana, pineapple and coconut smoothie

• 50ml coconut cream

• 25ml fresh lime juice

• 25ml vanilla syrup

• A handful of ice

• Garnish: pineapple slice and maraschino cherry

Tools You’ll Need

• A blender

• A jigger or small measuring glass

• A chilled hurricane or coupe glass

• A straw (optional, but highly recommended)

How to Make the Perfect Piña Colada

1. Add all ingredients to a blender – Combine the Ghost Rum, smoothie, coconut cream, lime juice, vanilla syrup, and ice.
   
   

2. Blend until smooth – Blend on high for around 15 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
   
   

3. Check consistency – The texture should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a splash more smoothie; too thin, add a few extra ice cubes.
   
   

4. Pour and serve – Pour into a chilled glass, letting the frothy mixture settle slightly before garnishing.
   
   

5. Garnish with flair – Finish with a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry for that authentic tropical touch.
   
   

6. Relax and enjoy – Sip, smile and picture yourself under palm trees, you’ve earned it.
   
   

Our Tips for Making the Perfect Piña Colada at Home

• Use crushed ice in the blender for a smooth, creamy texture that chills evenly.
  
  

• Don’t skip the lime juice, it balances the sweetness and brightens the drink beautifully.
  
  

• Try fresh pineapple chunks instead of smoothie for a more natural, fruity finish.
  
  

• Chill your glass beforehand to keep your cocktail perfectly cool.
  
  

• Add a dash of dark rum on top before serving for an extra layer of richness (known as a “float”).
  
  

Similar Drinks

• Honey Bee – A zesty rum cooler with Sicilian lemonade and lime.
  
  

• Cuba Libre – A refreshing mix of rum, cola and lime for a simple serve.
  
  

• Strawberry Daiquiri – A fruity, frozen rum cocktail with tropical sweetness.
  
  

From Puerto Rico to Paradise

The Piña Colada is one of the most famous tropical cocktails ever created, smooth, sunny, and endlessly indulgent. Its name literally means “strained pineapple” in Spanish, a nod to its star ingredient. The drink is said to have originated in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, when bartenders began blending rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream to capture the essence of the Caribbean in a single glass.

Since then, it has become an icon of holiday relaxation, instantly recognisable, endlessly imitated, and always associated with sunshine and escapism. Our take, featuring Ghost Rum and the natural sweetness of banana and vanilla, adds a modern, creamy twist to this classic favourite.