A fruity, creamy twist on a classic cocktail — with fresh strawberries, pineapple, and a secret ingredient that makes all the difference.
I originally shared this recipe back in 2015, and today I’m updating it with new information and extra tips!
The Strawberry Pina Colada That Started It All
I was nine years old the first time I had a pina colada. My dad had taken me to lunch at a little Mexican restaurant that sat right on the edge of the Willamette River. The kind of place with mismatched chairs and good food and a view that made you feel like everything was just fine. He ordered a virgin one for me and I took one sip and was completely, hopelessly hooked.
It was cool and creamy and icy and sweet and a little over the top — and I thought it was the most wonderful thing I had ever tasted.
My dad has been gone ten years now, but every time I make this I’m right back at that little table by the river. That’s the quiet magic of food — the right recipe can hand you back a moment you thought you’d lost. This one is worth making.
Years later, when I was finally old enough to try the rum version, I discovered I didn’t actually like it. I tried in several places, even in a few different countries, and never could get it to taste the way I remembered. In the end I decided I liked my rum in a cherry Coke and my pina coladas unsullied by alcohol. Not very sophisticated, but I was happy.
That is, until I discovered coconut rum.
Why This Strawberry Pina Colada Recipe Works
Coconut rum changed everything for me. Unlike regular rum, it leans into the tropical flavors instead of cutting through them. It adds a little warmth without that harsh bite that always knocked me out of the experience. If you’ve always been a virgin-pina-colada person like me, coconut rum might be the thing that finally converts you.
But the real secret ingredient? A single tablespoon of frozen orange juice concentrate. I know it sounds unexpected. But that little spoonful adds a brightness and depth that you can’t quite put your finger on — you just know the drink tastes rounder and more complex. Don’t skip it.
Strawberry is the final piece of the puzzle. Pineapple and coconut are a classic pairing, but add fresh strawberries and the whole thing opens up. The strawberry adds just enough tartness to keep it from being cloying, and the color is absolutely gorgeous. It tastes like summer in a glass.
Ingredients You’ll Need For These Refreshing Cocktails
Fresh pineapple gives the best flavor, but canned pineapple works too — just drain it well. The flavor is a little milder but still delicious. If you want a thicker, frostier drink, freeze your pineapple chunks ahead of time. (I vote for fresh… Please use fresh? If at all possible! Ok – begging over now! 😉
Fresh strawberries are ideal during strawberry season, but frozen strawberries work beautifully year-round. If using frozen, you can reduce the ice a bit so the drink doesn’t get too thick.
Cream of coconut is the key to that rich, creamy texture. This is NOT the same as coconut cream or coconut milk — those are unsweetened and used in cooking. Cream of coconut (like Coco López) is sweetened and made specifically for cocktails. Look for it in the cocktail mixer section of your grocery store. (This squeezable cream of coconut is my favorite if you find it!) I also put it in frostings… It’s a fun mix in to so many things!
Frozen orange juice concentrate — just one tablespoon. Trust me on this one.
Coconut rum — 4 oz makes a strong drink. This recipe makes two drinks but that is 2oz of rum per person. You can dial it back to 2 oz for something a little lighter if you want!
Ice — crushed or nugget ice blends more easily than cubes and gives you a smoother texture. Bottom line a bag of ice from the store is usually easier to blend in than the cubes from your refrigerator.
Tips for the Best Results
- For an extra frosty drink, use frozen pineapple and frozen strawberries instead of fresh. You can also add a second cup of ice at the end — just taste first and adjust.
- Blend the fruit first, before adding the ice. This ensures everything is fully pureed before you hit the blending stage.
- Chill your glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving. It keeps the drink cold longer and feels a little fancy with very little effort.
- Serve immediately — this is not a cocktail that waits well. Once blended, pour and enjoy.
How to Serve Strawberry Pina Coladas
The most fun way? Hollow out a fresh pineapple and serve the colada right inside it. If you’ve ever attempted this with a knife, you know it can go sideways fast. A pineapple corer makes the whole thing easy and takes about 30 seconds. Look for a stainless steel one — they last forever and are worth every penny if you eat fresh pineapple regularly.
Of course, a chilled glass works just as beautifully. Garnish with a halved strawberry on the rim and a slice of pineapple if you’re feeling festive. Pina coladas are usually served in Hurricane Glasses like this. But we don’t have to be boujee! Red Solo Cups work too!
I also personally love a cocktail umbrella for a little extra fun! Thankfully you can overnight them on Amazon if you have a mind!
How to Make This a Virgin Pina Colada
Simply leave out the rum. That’s it! The drink is every bit as delicious without it — this is actually the version I grew up loving and it holds up completely on its own. The cream of coconut gives it that rich, tropical flavor even without the alcohol.
This makes it a perfect option for kids, for guests who don’t drink, or for anyone who just wants something refreshing without the buzz. I’m all for a good mocktail!!! Everybody should have great drinks – even people who prefer not to drink alcohol!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time? Blend everything except the ice and store it in the fridge for a few hours. When ready to serve, add ice and blend again.
Can I make a big batch for a party? Yes! Scale the recipe up and blend in batches. A high-powered blender handles large quantities much better than a standard blender.
What’s the difference between cream of coconut and coconut cream? Cream of coconut is sweetened and designed for cocktails. Coconut cream is unsweetened and used in cooking. They are not interchangeable in this recipe — make sure you grab the right one!
Do I need a high-powered blender to make this? You don’t need a Vitamix or a Blendtec to make a great pina colada — a good mid-range blender like a Ninja handles this recipe just fine. (My Ninja rocks everything I throw at it really!) The key is blending the fruit first until smooth before you add the ice. Where a high-powered blender really earns its keep is if you’re making large party batches or using a lot of frozen fruit — in that case, more power means smoother results and less strain on the motor. For a standard two-serving batch like this one, your Ninja is more than up to the job. (But if you are rocking an 80s Oster it might get crazy fast! LOL)
More Cocktails to Love
- Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini
- Frozen Watermelon Margarita
- The Perfect Pomegranate Martini
- Frozen Mango Margarita
The Perfect Strawberry Pina Colada
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pineapple diced
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 1 Tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate
- 3/4 cup cream of coconut like coco Lopez
- 4 oz coconut rum chilled
- 1 cup crushed or nugget ice
Instructions
- Combine everything except the ice in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Add ice and blend until you reach the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately in chilled glasses or a hollowed out pineapple.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Your Rating Matters
When you leave a comment or star rating, it means more than you might think. It helps me understand what you’re enjoying, builds trust for other readers, and supports real, tested cooking content. If you have a moment, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience. - Mirlandra
Nutrition Estimate
A Note on Nutrition
Nutritional info is an imperfect estimate. Please take it with a grain of salt.
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says
I love virgin pina coladas too! The rum kinda messes with the flavor haha. I need to test out your version though, maybe it will change my mind as well!
Mirlandra says
I’m glad I’m not the only one! Coconut rum is so different and it seems to just add to the fruity, island flavor. I hope you like it!
Josie says
Love that you served this inside a pineapple! Looks yummy! 🙂
Mirlandra says
Thanks!
Jerusha (@TheDisneyChef) says
I had a drink like this at Disney, but I like that this has a lot of fresh ingredients in it. I really have to try this! Thank you!
Mirlandra says
Some of my favorite things at Disney are the drinks. I hope you enjoy this one!
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
This pineapple makes a stunning presentation, but I would have no problem drinking these pina coladas in a paper cup. It sounds delicious. I like your use of frozen orange juice concentrate.
Mirlandra says
Thanks! It really gives it an extra something. The pineapple is fun but I would even drink these from a cereal bowl 🙂
Brenda says
This looks wonderful! Can’t wait to try it. If we want to serve a plain pina colada, do we just leave out the strawberries?
Mirlandra says
Yep! That makes a wonderful drink. You can blend in any other fruit you like too and play around with the idea.
Lisa says
This sounds delicious. Can you use can pineapple? Also, can this be made in a larger amount for a summer party? And if so, what would the measurements
Mirlandra says
Hi Lisa! Thanks for asking. You can use canned pineapple. The flavor is a little bit different but still really good! Sometimes you just gotta use what you got 🙂 You can make a bigger batch if it will fit in your blender. A low powered blender won’t be able to handle it but a stronger blender like a BlendTec or similar can probably handle doubling if it is big enough to hold the quantity.
Lidia says
Hi looks delicious! But what is cream of coco?
Mirlandra says
Hi Lidia – Great question! Cream of Coco is another name for cream of coconut. I’ve put a link to the ingredient in the recipe so you can see it on Amazon for an example. Most grocery stores carry it in the section with cocktail mixers. This is a link to the kind I usually buy: https://amzn.to/2CXPzKL Enjoy that pina colada!