This heavenly tropical cocktail is a shaken, not blended, pina colada on the rocks. It will blow your mind without the "brain freeze". One sip and you will feel you are on an island enjoying the sun & listening to the waves crashing - no passport needed.
Why this Pina Colada on the Rocks Recipe is the Best: This fun, fruity, & creamy summer cocktail needs no blender. Oh, and no brain freeze.
I originally created this drink so I can enjoy the yummy pineapple coconut flavors at my pool club. It is great anywhere you are unplugged; camping, tailgating, park picnics, & beach days.
This recipe has Hawaiian vibes like my Mango Pineapple Smoothie & is fun & pretty like a Vodka Sunrise. Ok, now let's get shaking!
Ingredients
Anyone that loves a good pina colada knows that the key flavors are pineapple and coconut. Make sure you have plenty of ice for these drinks. If you don't have an ice maker, follow my tips for how long it takes water to freeze into ice cubes, trays, or molds.
Here are the ingredients that go into making a pina colada cocktail:
- Pineapple Juice - the sweet tart fruit juice that is the star.
- Coconut Milk - the creamy thick full-fat canned stuff like those made by Goya or Thai Kitchen.
- Lime Juice - fresh squeezed is best.
- White Rum - a light rum like Bacardi, Koloa, The Real McCoy, Wray & Nephew, or Havana brands are my favorites.
- Optional - fresh pineapple chunks for garnish & Myer's dark rum for an extra shot to float on top.
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
Instructions
Should a pina colada be shaken or stirred if it is not a blended recipe? I tried both methods and shaking is best - here's why. Both mix the ingredients but when shaken, the drink chills faster but also helps froth up the coconut milk for an amazing creamy & foamy texture without the blender.
To make a couple of pina coladas on the rocks, it takes only a few minutes. You will need a cocktail shaker and two high ball glasses. Each will need to be about 10-12 ounces in size.
Here are the easy steps for making pina colada without a blender.
- Prep the Glasses
- Add Ingredients
- Shake & Pour
- Optional Garnishes
See the recipe card for full instructions.
Fill 2 tall glasses & a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice. (cubes work too but crushed ice gives more a faux blended texture)
Add the pineapple & lime juices into the shaker.
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.
Garnish with wedges of pineapple or slices of lime. Add a straw and enjoy!
Double-Shot: If you wish to make this a Super/Deluxe drink, leave room at the top. You will want the room to float a shot of Myers's dark rum floated on the top for a Jamaican or Caribbean aesthetic.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, funny stories or bloopers, and more.
- #1 tip - shake, do not stir for the creamiest drink.
- Do not substitute the canned coconut milk with low-fat, fat-free, or the watery boxed kinds.
- If you don't have a cocktail shaker, use a mason jar with a tight fitting like.
- Even my husband has to use my step stool for this recipe since our alcohol cabinet is above the fridge - I have to use a chair since the step stool isn't tall enough.
- Who will you share one of these with?
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
More Summer Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more drinks similar to this, try these:
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.
Jodee says
These are TROUBLE! Soooo GOOD!
Angela says
My kind of good trouble - haha!