Make The Perfect Pina Colada Without A Syrupy Mix

June 03, 2026 | By Benjamin Smith
Make The Perfect Pina Colada Without A Syrupy Mix

Everything You Need to Know About The Pina Colada

If you've ever had a fresh Pina Colada on the rocks, you'll never go frozen again. The official drink of Puerto Rico, it has a rich history that goes back to the 1950s when it was first created by a bartender at the Caribe Hilton's Beachcomber Bar in San Juan. Unlike the hangover inducing milkshakes you get at a chain restaurant, a fresh Pina Colada is sweet and seductive and doesn't fill you up thanks to its fresh ingredients and simple recipe which highlights high quality rum, fresh juices, and the flair of a pineapple and Maraschino cherry garnish.

Pina Colada

Prep Time5 min
Yield1 Cocktail
Base SpiritRum

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Rum
  • 3 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 2 oz Coconut Cream
  • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • Ice
  • Pineapple and Maraschino Cherry, for garnish.
Make The Perfect Pina Colada Without A Syrupy Mix

Instructions

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
  3. Shake vigorously until well-chilled and blended.
  4. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with crushed ice.
  5. Garnish with a pineapple or orange slice.
Pro Tip
To enhance the tropical experience, consider toasting shredded coconut in a dry pan until golden brown. Dip the rim of your glass in agave syrup and then in the toasted coconut before pouring in the cocktail. 

Pina Colada Riff

The Coffee Colada swaps traditional rum for a rich dark coffee liqueur, pairing the tropical sweetness of pineapple and coconut with earthy, roasted notes. Shaken with crushed ice, it creates a deep, velvety cocktail perfectly suited for a high-end hotel lounge.

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Arthur Wheeler Signature Caribbean Rum

Arthur Wheeler Signature Caribbean Rum
$29.99

Starlino Maraschino Cherries

Starlino Maraschino Cherries
$11.50