This heavenly tropical cocktail is a shaken, not blended, pina colada on the rocks. It will blow your mind without the "brain freeze". With creamy coconut and pineapple that classic pina colada taste over ice is just the recipe for a taste of summer. One sip and you will feel you are on an island enjoying the sun & listening to the waves crashing - no passport needed.
This easy recipe is a modern twist on the traditional pina colada. If you have been wondering if there is such a thing as a pina colada on the rocks, you are not alone. As the hot days of summer were just upon us, I was on the search for a recipe I would like. A few sips (and drinks later!), this is the best pina colada on the rocks. You can now have all the wonderful coconutty pineapple and rum flavors without a blender.
There is so much to love about mixing up pina coladas that are served over ice. I have wondered why this isn't on more menus at bars and restaurants. It is that good & It is so much faster to make than a blended version. This makes it a great recipe to make while tent or RV camping, tailgating, picnics, BBQ, on beach days, or sitting at the pool club. Oh, and no brain freeze. I admit I often get it when sipping a frozen blended pina colada.
This was inspired by other tropical-tasting recipes I have made. When the lazy days of summer arrive, I often want something pretty, sweet, & has a luscious fruit flavor. Sometimes my recipe for something cold & creamy like a Mango Pineapple Smoothie or homemade Mango Ice Cream is just the thing. Other times I want something with a kick like this cocktail or a stunning Vodka Sunrise.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Anyone that loves a good pina colada knows that the key flavors are pineapple and coconut. This is a rum cocktail so white rum is a key ingredient. I also like a bit of citrus, so a fresh lime rounds out this pina colada recipe.
What Goes in a Pina Colada
For this drink, tart pineapple juice and creamy coconut milk are what is used. There is no pina colada mix or cream of coconut in this recipe. Using canned coconut milk and pineapple juice makes a taste like pina colada. Plus a bit of lime juice and of course some rum.
Best Rums for Pina Coladas
White or silver rums such as Bacardi, The Real McCoy, Wray & Nephew, or Myers's. A light-colored rum is what works best for making pina coladas. I also like a topper of Myers's dark rum on the top for a super or deluxe version. We had these on our Disney Cruise and WOW! It is strong but delish.
- Pineapple Juice
- Coconut Milk
- Lime Juice
- White Rum
- Fresh Pineapple
- Dark Rum - optional
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Should a pina colada be shaken or stirred if it is not a blended recipe? I tried both methods and here is what I recommend. Stirring the drink mixes the flavors but that is about all. When you shake the cocktail up, the pina colada comes out much better. It not only helps chill the drink faster but the shaking helps froth up the coconut milk with the other ingredients. The shaken pina colada comes out creamy & foamy.
How to Shake up Two Pina Coladas
To make a couple of pina coladas on the rocks, it takes only a few minutes. Begin by gathering your ingredients and equipment. You will need a cocktail shaker for this recipe. Also, make sure you have two high ball glasses. Each will need to be about 10-12 ounces in size. This is so there is enough room for the crushed ice and about 7 ounces of pina colada.
Fill 2 tall glasses & a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice.
Add the pineapple & lime juices into the shaker.
Add the coconut milk & run to the cocktail shaker.
Place the shaker lid on tightly & shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour through the shaker strainer over the crushed ice.
This recipe will make 2 pina colada cocktails, each a 7-ounces delight. Divide the shaken mixture evenly over two tall glasses filled with crushed ice.
Hint: If you wish to make this a Super/Deluxe drink, leave room at the top to add an additional shot of rum. You will want the room to float the Myers's atop the pina colada.
Variations
This simple yet refreshing recipe for a shaken pina colada is one of the best summer cocktails you can make. This easy recipe is fantastic but if you want a twist on this well-loved recipe, go for it with one of these fun variations.
- Spicy - if you like spicy with your sweet, rub the edge of your glass with a lime wedge and roll in any of the fun Tajin seasoning blends, then add ice to each glass
- Super/Deluxe - add a shot of Myers's dark rum floated on the top
- Kid-friendly/Mocktail - omit the rum for a great kid-friendly non-alcoholic pina colada; a tropical mocktail every summer needs.
Equipment
No blender is needed for this delicious pina colada recipe. But it is a bonus to have a cocktail shaker. It helps really chill and mix the ingredients with ice. It also makes the coconut milk frothy and creamier for a luscious cocktail.
The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you!
Storage
Once this drink has been poured over ice, it does not hold up well. But if you combine the ingredients without ice, the pina colada mixture will store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy your homemade pina colada mix, prep glasses with crushed ice, shake some up and pour. So if you are wondering, premade pina coladas are a thing and they store well.
Top Party Tip
One of the best things about a pina colada recipe that is not blended is you can mix it ahead of time to enjoy later. For a party, grab a large pitcher so you can make a large batch of pina coladas for a crowd. Simply multiply the amounts in the recipe card to make enough for your next party.
When ready to enjoy your homemade pina colada mix, prep glasses with crushed ice. Then later simply pour over crushed ice in each glass. For parties, this is the best way to prep and serve your guests the most amazing unblended pina coladas.
Pina Colada on the Rocks
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 3 ounces white rum
- 5 ounces pineapple juice
- 5 ounces coconut milk
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- crushed ice
- pineapple wedges garnish
- 1 ounce Myers's Dark Rum optional
Instructions
- Fill 2 tall glasses & a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice.
- To the cocktail shaker, add the pineapple & lime juices.
- Add the coconut milk & rum to the cocktail shaker.
- Place the shaker lid on tightly & shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Pour through the shaker strainer over the crushed ice.
- Add a wedge of pineapple to the edge of the glass for garnish. OPTIONAL - add a 1-ounce shot of Myers's dark rum floating on the top of the drink. ENJOY!
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 2 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 299 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 17g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 12mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 13.1g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.7g | 6% |
| Total Sugars 9.4g | |
| Protein 1.9g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 21mg | 2% |
| Iron 1mg | 8% |
| Potassium 279mg | 6% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Jack says
Our blender is terrible at making crushed iced drinks so we thought a different pina colada may be worth a shot. Shots! As in many shots of rum were enjoyed with these drinks.
Angela says
I am glad you found this recipe a great way to enjoy a pina colada without a blender (at least one that works - haha)
Katelynn says
These went down too easy and we will be making these all summer. I am not sure I will blend one up again. I like this better.
Angela says
Cheers!
Britt says
Not too sweet. We loved them.
Angela says
Great to hear, thanks for the comment.