Pina Colada with Coconut Milk

3 pina coladas on the rocks, in glasses garnished with a pineapple wedge, whipped cream and a cherry.

Why we love this piña colada with coconut milk

We don’t normally have cream of coconut in our pantry, but since we’re a dairy free family, we always have coconut milk.
To make a pina colada without coconut milk, you just need to add the sugar you need to regular canned coconut milk.
This creamy cocktail might not be quite as sweet as a traditional piña colada, but it’s still sweet and delicious.

Close up of a coconut milk pina colada with a pineapple wedge and some pineapple leaves.

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Here’s what you’ll need to make it

Equipment:

Easy Measure Jigger

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Bar Spoon

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Glass Pitcher

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Ingredients:

Rum – Usually white rum is used in a pina colada, but you can also use dark rum. I don’t recommend using spiced rum though because the flavor will be too overwhelming.
Pineapple juice – You can’t skip this, but you can use fresh or canned pineapple juice.
Coconut milk – You will want to use full-fat canned coconut milk to get the creamy texture of a typical pina colada, but you can also use light canned coconut milk if you have it.
Simple syrup – You can make your own, use store bought or substitute another liquid sweetener such as agave nectar.

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Overhead shot of a pina colada topped with whipped cream and a pineapple wedge.

How to make a pina colada with coconut milk

Stir the cocktail. Fill a cocktail with ice. Add rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk and simple syrup to your glass and stir with a cocktail spoon until chilled.

Garnish and serve. Top with whipped cream and garnish with a pineapple leaf and a cherry.

Want to make a pitcher? Combine 1 cup (8 ounces) of rum, 1 3/4 cups (14 ounces) pineapple juice, 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) coconut milk, and 1/2 cup simple syrup in a large glass pitcher. Stir to combine and add ice to chill before serving.

Overhead shot of a few pina coladas on the rocks made with coconut milk.

FAQs about the pina colada

Should a piña colada be shaken?

A pina colada can absolutely be shaken. There is no need to blend this famous summer drink, and you will love it on the rocks!

What rum is best in pina colada?

You can use whatever rum you have on hand, though spiced rum will bring a little too much flavor and over power the drink. Pina coladas are traditionally made with a light rum, but we used a dark rum for this recipe and it was delicious.

A pina colada on the rocks in a glass with a cocktail umbrella next to it.

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Pina Colada with Coconut Milk in a glass garnished with a pineapple wedge, whipped topping and a cherry.

Prep Time 5

Servings

No cream of coconut? No problem. You can make a pina colada with coconut milk. This simple take on the classic tropical cocktail is made without a blender and served on the rocks, but it’s just as creamy and delicious as the classic. Garnish with fresh whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to serve.

Ingredients

2 ounces rum
3 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
2 1/2 ounces coconut milk
1 ounce simple syrup
For garnish: whipped cream (pineapple leaf, maraschino cherry)

Instructions

Fill a cocktail glass with ice.
Add ingredients and stir until cold.
Garnish with whipped cream, a pineapple leaf and a cherry

Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Melissa Belanger

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

Why we love this piña colada with coconut milk

FAQs about the pina colada