The Secret Ingredient Is Heavy Cream
According to Beachbum Berrys Potions of the Caribbean, the original recipe for the Piña Colada called for a measure of double cream. Essentially heavy cream, the ingredient is often disregarded or altogether forgotten. It thickens up even more, says McCoy. Heavy cream makes it smoother and more like a milkshake. After experimenting with making a Piña Colada with cream , we noticed it got rid of that granular, sandy texture from the blended ice.
Coconut Cream Is The Key
While some drinks substitute coconut milk and sugar syrup for it, coconut cream is the gold standard and key ingredient for a delicious Piña Colada experience. Our recipe is with coconut cream, which is coconut milk boiled with sugar, says Lopez. It gives it a good consistency, especially for a frozen drink, and you want it to be thick and creamy.
The Best Rum For Pina Coladas
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The pina colada is a classic summer drink with an unmistakable tropical flavor. Its so delicious and popular that its commonly ordered as a virgin drink as well, by people who love the coconut flavor but arent into the alcohol.
The best rum for pina coladas is one that compliments and balances the sweetness. This means you should look for something with a subtle sweetness or possibly some citrus. Any rum that’s made for mixing up cocktails should do the trick. You dont want to make the drink overwhelmingly sweet, but you dont want something that takes over either.
If you want a foolproof base, many rums are flavored with coconut or pineapple, often with pina coladas in mind specifically. You can never go wrong with one of these.
The pina colada is unique and special in a lot of ways, including the fact that unlike many mixed drinks, its history is known and undisputed. It was created by Ramon Monchito Marrero, a bartender in Puerto Rico in 1954. He created the brilliant blend of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice and it was an instant hit.
He served this signature cocktail at the Caribe Hilton hotel where he bartended for the next 35 years before it was titled the official drink of Puerto Rico. The hotel was also presented with a proclamation signed by the Governor of Puerto Rico in 2004 to commemorate the accomplishment and mark the 50th anniversary of the famous drink.
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Pina Colada Recipe With Malibu Rum
Summer weather calls for a creamy Pina Colada by the pool. Theres no better way to relax and enjoy the topical weather. Here is a fantastic and easy recipe to make a classic Pina Colada.
» If you love Pina Coladas, why not try one of these delicious Hawaiian cocktails or other tropical cocktails that you can make at home.
This isnt a difficult cocktail to make, but it does require a few ingredients that you may not have on hand. Be prepared by adding these ingredients to your shopping list so you have them when youre ready.
What Rum Is Best For Pina Colada
Malibu rum is the brand that I use. It adds an extra tropical flavor to the drink that white rum doesnt. However, white rum is typically what is used in a Pina Colada, so you can use either.
I choose Malibu because it has a natural coconut flavour and a smooth and sweet finish. Ive tried other coconut rums before and some have a more manufactured taste that doesnt do well in this cocktail. If you want a really tasty pina colada, just stick with the Malibu.
Here are a few other options for coconut rum that you can order through Saucey, Malibu rum included .
You can also use a light or dark rum , if you cant find Malibu or just want to use what you have on hand. It will still be delicious.
You can get this and many other liquors delivered to your door from Saucey$5 OFF your first order + free delivery with code SAS) or Drizly.Only valid in select states.
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What Type Of Rum Goes In A Pina Colada
The Superior Silver and Gold rums from Barcardi are ideal for the pina colada recipe, and you can experiment with it if you want to. To enhance the pineapple flavor, use rum that has been flavored with pineapple. To amp up the coconut flavor, try a rum that has been flavored with coconut.
About Dos Maderas 5+3 Rum
Dos Maderas 5+3 Rum blends the lighter Baja Rum with the richer Guyana style and ages for 5 years in the Caribbean followed by 3 years in Jerez, Spain in Palo Cortado casks. The smooth character of the 5+3 is awash with pleasant vanilla, hazelnut, coconut and subtle maple. It adds a rich finesse to your cocktail for those of us who enjoy the reminder that the Piña Coladais indeed an adult beverage.
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What Is The Best Pia Colada Mix
While we don’t have one single brand to recommend, the more expensive option is almost always better when buying cocktail mixes. Note that most piña colada mixes contain dairy, even though the original recipe does not, in case that’s a concern. Regardless, because a piña colada has just three ingredients, it truly isn’t worth your time or money to buy a mix. If you’re understandably concerned about splurging on ingredients, you can save money by buying mini liquor bottles instead of a pricey handle of rum. While you might not get higher-shelf rums in this size, the added cost benefit can justify buying the cream of coconut and pineapple, which are likely to cost less than a mix anyway.
Coco Lopez Is Essential
No coconut cream makes a Piña Colada quite like Coco Lopez. It doesnt matter if another product is made from 100-percent organic coconutsthe only coconut cream for you is the one with the adorable, neon-hued parrot mascot on the label. I know there are other coconut creams out there, but Ive never used one, says McCoy. is invaluable to the drink.
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Is Cream Of Coconut Or Coconut Milk Better For A Pia Colada
Cream of coconut is the be opitmal choice. Its thicker and contributes to the texture of the frozen drink. Coconut milk is thinner and will not thicken the cocktail. The cream of coconut will also give a richer flavor to the drink.
Coconut milk is less sweet and has a much less intense flavor. A piña colada must have a rich coconut flavor.
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Can You Use Spiced Rum In A Pia Colada
The short answer is an emphatic YES! While a piña colada can be made with any type of rum, my choice is a spiced rum, preferably Captain Morgan. To me, other spiced rums have that sharp bite. Captain Morgan is smooth.
Spiced rum adds more flavor to the drink without overpowering it and sometimes white rums can have that bite, or harshness, to them.
Remember, the better the ingredients, the better the drink. I preach this in my other cocktail posts.
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What Is Cream Of Coconut
Cream of coconut is similar to condensed milk, except that it’s made with coconut milk instead of cow’s milk. It’s thick, syrupy, and sweet, and typically comes in a can. Note that cream of coconut is different from coconut cream, which is the fatty, creamy part of canned coconut milk that you can skim off the top. Canned coconut milk can come sweetened or unsweetened and has a milder, butterier flavor than cream of coconut. Cream of coconut is the best choice in this recipe because of its thickness and richness Coco Casa and Coco Lopez are two popular brands.
What’s The Best Rum For Daiquiris
Here are the best rums we’ve found to make your next perfect Daiquiri.
- Best Overall: Equiano. …
- Best for Hemingway: Owney’s Original. …
- Best Dark: Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario. …
- Best for Frozen: Flor de Caña 4 Year Old Rum Extra Seco. …
- Best White: Don Q Cristal. …
- Best Age Statement: El Dorado 3 Year.
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The Pina Colada Pirate
While we do have an accurate record of the drinks beginning, theres an alternate legend featuring a pirate. Its said that a rich Puerto Rico resident named Robert Cofresi went rogue and turned into a pirate when the state started failing in the 1800s.
Supposedly, he created the drink on board to keep his crew happy. Whether or not this has any truth to it will forever remain a mystery for his alleged recipe has been lost forever.
Wray & Nephew Overproof White Rum
Flavor isn’t the only thing that can distinguish one rum from another the alcohol content of various rums can vary significantly as well. The term “overproof” denotes a rum that’s at least 50% alcohol by volume . This term is also sometimes referred to as “navy strength,” but either way, it means the bottle is particularly intoxicating.
Not only does Wray & Nephew come in at a hefty 63% ABV, but it’s also un-aged, so the rum has never been put inside a barrel. This means that it’s powerful in both potency and flavor. It’s funkier than many white rums, with notes of pineapple, brown sugar, and overripe banana that are easy to detect.
Since it packs such a punch, a little goes a long way. That being said, it works well for piña coladas with a split base, or as a floater to add depth of flavor and a little extra kick.
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Best Rum For A Pina Colada
So youve decided you want to try making a Pina Colada, the next logical question is What is the best rum for Pina Coladas?.
This question is a matter of opinion and fortunately, theres no wrong answer! While theres no wrong answer, there are a few factors to consider when making your choice.
The most traditional rum for a Pina Colada would be one from Puerto Rico, since that is where the drink originated. Find out more about the pina colada origin.
I would recommend getting a rum thats in a moderate price range. For drinking spirits straight, I tend to prefer higher quality spirits . However, with blended cocktails, I dont mind choosing an option thats less expensive.
When I say less expensive, let me be clear, I dont mean cheap. Pick something that wont break the bank, but also isnt the least expensive option you can find.
The reason I never pick the cheapest spirit, is because I normally like to enjoy a few drinks, and dont want a nasty hangover the next morning.
On the other hand, I wouldnt choose a really nice, expensive, aged rum is because of the other flavors present in the Pina Colada. If I were to drink a lovely aged rum, Id prefer to drink it straight to enjoy its complexity of flavor.
With cocktails, you can opt for a less expensive spirit and still enjoy it without spending your entire budget on the liquor.
How I Discovered The Best Pina Colada Recipe
Before we get to my best homemade Pina Colada recipe, a little back story. Traveling has a way with vivid reminders of how were interconnected with people, land and the wild things. Whether its simply traveling 100 miles away from home or across the globe, Im always interested in culture, food and ecology and how these things interact on a local and global scale. Food is interesting to me especially from the standpoint of farming practices.
While traveling in Costa Rica we passed miles and miles of monocultured pineapple. Id never seen so many pineapples. While beautiful pineapple plants were perfectly planted in symmetrical rows, the land itself looked sterile. No more forests, not a weed in sight
Our guide shared that Costa Rica is one of the top exporters of pineapples worldwide, currently. He also explained one pineapple plant takes over a year to produce one pineapple fruit when grown organically. However, multinational corporations conventionally grow a pineapple in six months by applying agrochemicals. These production practices allow for increased crop yields in a shorter period of time.
That made me think of the conventional pineapple BOGO I saw on special at the store last week. What price are we willing to pay in terms of human and environmental costs for cheap pineapple?
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Tools To Make A Pina Colada
There really arent a lot of tool necessary. One thing you absolutely need is a good blender with the ability to really chop the ice. This will lead to the smoothest frozen pina colada.
I recommend the Ninja countertop blender. Its a 1000-watt blender that can destroy ice with its 6 blades. Its a professional grade blender for just around $80. Such a good investment, especially if you make a lot of frozen cocktails and smoothies.
I also think you need hurricane glasses to serve your Pina Coladas in. This will elevate the cocktail experience to a truly authentic level. I can imagine it now. Feels like summer. If youre not using a hurricane glass, use a tall glass thats at least 12 oz .
Thats all you need to make the perfect Pina Colada. Just blend up all the ingredients, poor it into your hurricane glass, top it with a tropical umbrella and youre good to go.
Best Coconut Rum: Don Q Coco
Courtesy of Drizly
Region: Puerto Rico | ABV: 21% | Tasting Notes: Coconut, Vanilla, Brown Sugar
Pablo Guerrero, F& B manager for Azabu in Miami Beach, thinks this flavored rum stands out from others in the category to use in a Piña Colada. Don Q Coco because its coconut flavor tastes very natural and creates excellent Coladas without tasting artificial, he says. This rum is aged for about a year and then flavored with real coconut extract.
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Pina Colada Means Strained Pineapple
Translated from Spanish, pina means pineapple and colada means strained. Put them together and youve got strained pineapple which is a pretty good description of the drink itself given the mandatory inclusion of pineapple.
There are many variations on the drink, but its not a true Pina Colada without at least a little pineapple in there.
Ingredients In Pia Colada
- Frozen Pineapple Chunks For the absolute best results, chop and freeze your own fresh pineapple. It adds fresh, sweet, and natural juicy pineapple flavor. Freezing the pineapple also cuts down on the amount of ice youll need, that way the drink wont be as diluted.
- Cream of Coconut Make sure youre using cream of coconut, not coconut milk or coconut cream. Its sweet and meant for frozen cocktails. My favorite brand of cream of coconut to use is Coco Lopez or Goya!
- White Rum White rum, like Bacardi, is always a good choice when blending Piña Coladas. To make things even more authentic, though, use Puerto Rican aged rum, like Don Q, for spicier and more flavorful results.
- Dark Rum Dark rum is just used in this recipe as a floater, which is entirely optional. I highly recommend it, though! It perfectly balances out the white rum and adds a little bit of spice to an otherwise sweet drink.
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Best Rums For A Pia Colada
We’ll spare you the bad jokes and get straight to it piña coladas are delicious. If you enjoy drinking rum, the cocktail is hard to beat, especially when imbibed on the beach with the ocean as your backdrop. A classic piña colada recipe includes a tropical mix of rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream that tastes like a day in paradise. It’s easy to think that since this drink relies on such sweet, fruity flavors any rum will do the trick. However, there are several styles of rum that vary wildly in flavor, and choosing the right one can take your beachy beverage from good to great.
With so many options out there, we had someone who really knows their rum weigh in on what to use. Chris Gaspar is a bartender at one of New York City’s most celebrated rum bars, appropriately named The Rum House. With an extensive selection of rums, perfectly executed cocktails, and nightly live jazz, it’s one of the few bars in Times Square worth fighting the crowds for especially if you’re in the mood for a piña colada.
“I started really working with rum back in 2015, at a small Caribbean bar in Texas. I learned as much as I could about tiki culture and rum classics during my time there. Now, I’m mixing drinks for tourists in Times Square at The Rum House.” says Gaspar.
With years of expertise under his belt, we picked his brain to find out which rums should be going into your next piña colada.
Can I Use Vodka Instead Of Rum
I really wouldnt recommend substituting vodka for rum in this drink because the taste profile is different, so it will have an affect on the drink. However, if you dont like rum, or youre in a pinch and only have vodka, you can use it in a pina colada. Just keep in mind that its not as flavorful or sweet, so you may need to add a bit of agave syrup or simple syrup to sweeten it.
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