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Piña Colada

The Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail made primarily with rum, coconut cream or cream of coconut, and pineapple juice.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail made primarily with rum, coconut cream or cream of coconut, and pineapple juice. It is usually blended with ice and is strongly associated with Puerto Rico, where it is widely described as the national drink. The cocktail is one of the best-known tropical drinks and is served cold, often blended until smooth.

Overview

The Piña Colada is a sweet, creamy cocktail built on rum, pineapple, and coconut. It is one of the best-known tropical drinks and is usually served cold, often blended until smooth.

Ingredients and preparation

Standard recipes use white rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and crushed ice. The drink is typically blended or shaken, then poured into a chilled glass and garnished with a pineapple wedge and/or maraschino cherry.

Origin and cultural association

The Piña Colada is generally credited to Puerto Rico, where it has become closely identified with the island's drinking culture. Sources commonly describe it as a signature Puerto Rican cocktail.

Variations

Common variations include virgin versions without alcohol and recipes that add cream or use different rums. Some versions are served frozen, while others are simply shaken with ice.

Key facts

  • The Piña Colada is a cocktail made with rum, coconut cream or cream of coconut, and pineapple juice.
  • It is commonly blended with ice, although shaken versions also exist.
  • The drink is widely associated with Puerto Rico and is often described as the island’s national drink.
  • The International Bartenders Association includes an official Piña Colada recipe.
  • Common garnishes include a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, or both.
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Canadian context

Piña coladas are a common cocktail in Canadian bars, restaurants, and tropical-themed drinks menus, especially as a summer or vacation-style beverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is a piña colada?
A piña colada is a cocktail made with rum, coconut cream or cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice.
How do you make a piña colada?
Blend or shake rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice until smooth, then serve chilled, usually with a pineapple or cherry garnish.
What are piña colada ingredients?
The core ingredients are white rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice. Some recipes also use fresh pineapple or garnish with fruit.
What is a virgin piña colada?
A virgin piña colada is an alcohol-free version made with pineapple juice, coconut cream or coconut milk, and ice.
What is a piña colada recipe?
A common recipe uses roughly 50 ml white rum, 30 ml cream of coconut, and 50 ml pineapple juice blended with ice, though proportions vary by source.
How many calories are in a piña colada?
Calories vary by recipe and serving size, but piña coladas are generally considered relatively high-calorie cocktails because of the coconut and sugar content.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1a_colada
    Supports: Core ingredients, blended preparation, garnish, origin in Puerto Rico, and example recipe measurements.
  2. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pi%C3%B1a%20colada
    Supports: Dictionary definition of piña colada as a drink made of rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice mixed with ice.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pina-colada
    Supports: Definition describing a cocktail containing rum, pineapple juice, and coconut.
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1a_colada
    Supports: IBA official recipe proportions, Puerto Rican origin, and note that it is declared a national drink.
  5. The Free Dictionary — https://www.thefreedictionary.com/pina+colada
    Supports: Definition of the drink as rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, often blended with ice.
  6. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pina-colada
    Supports: Definition and mention of variations using coconut milk and pineapple juice.