Are you craving the taste of the Caribbean?  Then you must try your hand at making a non alcoholic piña colada.  This recipe is so easy, you’ll want to make it all the time!

What makes this drink so addicting is the combination of coconut and pineapple.   Two tropical fruits combined with crushed ice creates a winning combination.  To make this drink look tropical, spend a little extra time getting your garnishes ready.  Cut up a pineapple to get some fresh pineapple wedges.  Pull off some pineapple leaves, and cut the outer skin to make pineapple strips.  Find some pretty cherries with stems to give your glass some color.

This recipe uses the classic combination of fresh pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut along with crushed ice.  Feel free to adjust the proportions to your own tastes.  If you want to cut back on the fat content, use coconut milk instead of cream of coconut, but add some superfine sugar to sweeten it up.  If you are really health conscious, sub out the cream of coconut with coconut water, sugar, freshly squeezed lime juice, and tons of shaved ice.

Are you curious to find out the difference between coconut milk and cream of coconut?  The best way I can describe it is coconut milk is similar to cow’s milk in consistency and cream of coconut is like sweetened condensed milk.  Coconut milk is used in Asian cooking, and cream of coconut is used for mixed drinks and desserts.  Both require a thorough shaking before using because the liquid and fat separate during storage.  The cream of coconut will give more body to your mixed drinks and desserts because it is richer and thicker than coconut milk.

Piña coladas can be made with a shaker or a blender.  This recipe uses a blender, so it’s super fast.  Once your garnishes are in place, dump everything in and give your blender a whirl.  And presto, you’re drink is ready to enjoy!  If you can’t make it to the beach, or go on a vacation to the tropics, you can still enjoy the tropical flavors of this classic drink wherever you are.  This is sure to be a family favorite!

De-stress with these other refreshing non-alcoholic drinks.  Treat yourself!

Sparkling Grapefruit and Ginger Fizz: these elegant drinks have a delightful citrus flavor.

Easy Lime and Mint Refresher: lime juice and mint syrup flavor these not-too-sweet spring drinks.

Arnold Palmer Drink: a classic Southern medley of sweet tea and lemonade.

Non Alcoholic Piña Colada

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• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 1 15-ounce drink

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Description

Ready for paradise?  Whip up this easy tropical drink for kids of all ages to enjoy at your next party.  Cream of coconut, crushed pineapple, and pineapple juice mixed with ice is so refreshing on a hot day.  Whether you are sitting on the beach or just wishing for a vacay to the tropics, one sip of this classic drink will transport you to the islands.  Enjoy this simple recipe today!

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Ingredients

For the Piña Colada

• 1/4 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup cream of coconut
• 1 cup crushed ice

For the Garnish

• pineapple wedge
• maraschino cherry with stem
• pineapple leaves

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Instructions

Preparing the Garnishes (Optional)

1. Optional: chill or freeze your glassware.  Traditionally, piña coladas use hurricane glasses, but any tall, 16-ounce glassware will do.
2. To prepare the pineapple leaves, cut off the top of the pineapple.  Take the nicest, smaller leaves out to use as a garnish, or keep some larger leaves and make them smaller with a knife.
3. Make a garnish from the pineapple’s skin by cutting the outer skin of the pineapple.  Rinse then cut into 1/4 inch strips and place in a bowl.
4. To make pineapple wedges for the rim of the glass, cut the skinned pineapple in quarters lengthwise.  Cut triangular wedges from one of the pineapple quarters, then round out the top edge with a knife if needed.  Make a small slit with a knife near the point so it can rest on the rim of a glass.  Place extra pineapple wedges in a bowl.
5. Core the remaining three pineapple quarters and cut into one inch chunks.  If you like, you can freeze the leftover pineapple.
6. Select some pretty cherries with stems.  Make a small slit at the base, so the cherry can sit securely on the edge of the glass.  Put the cherries in a small bowl.

Making the Piña Colada

1. Shake the pineapple juice and the cream of coconut before using.
2. Put the pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and crushed ice in a blender.  Pulse until smooth.
3. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, pineapple leaves and/or pineapple skin strips.  Insert a straw, preferably red and white, and enjoy.

Notes

• If your blender isn’t powerful, you can crush your ice first in the blender, then remove the ice and make the drink as described.
• If you want to reduce the fat content, lower the amount of coconut cream or use coconut milk and add superfine white sugar right after the pineapple chunks.