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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Cocktails

Piña Colada

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

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Piña Colada is a tropical cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. It is strongly associated with Puerto Rico and is often considered the island's national drink.

What it is

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.

How it's made

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 or maraschino cherry.

Where it comes from

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 and the national drink.

In short

  • Made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.
  • Usually blended with ice, but can be shaken.
  • Widely associated with Puerto Rico as its national drink.
  • IBA official cocktail; garnished with pineapple wedge or cherry.
Canadian angle

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

Quick 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 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.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1a_colada
    Supports: Core ingredients, blended preparation, garnish, origin in Puerto Rico, and example recipe measurements.
  2. Merriam-Websterhttps://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 Dictionaryhttps://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 Dictionaryhttps://www.thefreedictionary.com/pina+colada
    Supports: Definition of the drink as rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, often blended with ice.
  6. Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/pina-colada
    Supports: Definition and mention of variations using coconut milk and pineapple juice.