Virgin Piña Colada
The Virgin Piña Colada is a delightfully refreshing and creamy mocktail that captures the essence of a tropical getaway. It blends the sweet tang of pineapple juice with the rich, velvety texture of cream of coconut for a perfectly balanced flavor. Served frozen and slushy, it's an ideal treat for all ages, perfect for hot summer days, beach parties, or anytime you crave a taste of the Caribbean without the alcohol.
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Virgin Piña Colada is classified as a mocktail, being the non-alcoholic version of the classic Piña Colada cocktail. It falls into the tropical category due to its pineapple and coconut ingredients, making it a quintessential tropical mocktail.
Serving
The Virgin Piña Colada is a substantial frozen drink served ice-cold in a tall, curvy Hurricane glass. It is completely non-alcoholic, making it a suitable choice for everyone.
Serving size
300-350 ml / 10-12 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Hurricane glass
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The Virgin Piña Colada emerged as a family-friendly alternative to the original alcoholic Piña Colada, which originated in Puerto Rico. As the cocktail gained global popularity, bartenders and hosts created this non-alcoholic version to ensure everyone, including children and non-drinkers, could enjoy its iconic tropical flavor. It maintains the core ingredients and spirit of the original, simply omitting the rum.
Origin
This mocktail is the non-alcoholic version of the Piña Colada, which originated in Puerto Rico. The virgin version likely became popular worldwide during the late 20th century as the original cocktail's fame grew.
Virgin Piña Colada
The drink is widely known as the Virgin Piña Colada. It is also referred to as a Non-alcoholic Piña Colada or Piña Colada Mocktail to emphasize its lack of alcohol. A more playful name, "Nada Colada," is sometimes used as well.
Original name
Virgin Piña Colada
Alternative names
- Non-alcoholic Piña Colada
- Piña Colada Mocktail
- Nada Colada
Characteristics overview
This drink offers a sweet and tropical flavor profile dominated by pineapple and coconut, with a rich, creamy aroma. Its texture is thick and smooth from being blended with ice, making it a perfectly refreshing summer treat.
Flavor
Creamy, sweet, tropical, pineapple, coconut
Aroma
Pineapple, coconut, sweet
Taste balance
Predominantly sweet with a slight tartness
Aftertaste
Sweet, creamy, clean
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, creamy white, pale yellow
Texture
Thick, smooth, slushy, creamy
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is intensely fruity and creamy, dominated by sweetness from the pineapple and cream of coconut. It has a notable sour tang from the pineapple, but contains no alcohol, bitterness, or carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The core ingredients for this tropical mocktail are pineapple juice and cream of coconut. Ice is essential for its signature frozen texture, and fresh pineapple chunks can be added for extra flavor.
- Pineapple Juice120 ml / 4 ozUnsweetened is best to control the overall sweetness.
- Cream of Coconut60 ml / 2 ozUse sweetened cream of coconut (like Coco Lopez), not coconut cream or coconut milk, for the authentic flavor and texture.
- Fresh Pineapple Chunks60 grams / 2 oz (about 1/2 cup)(optional)Adds fresh flavor and texture, but can be omitted if using only juice.
- Ice1 cupAdjust amount for desired thickness.
Ice type
- Cubed or Crushed (for blending)
Mixing equipments
A powerful blender is the only essential piece of equipment needed to create the perfect frozen texture for this drink.
- Blender - For blending all ingredients into a smooth, slushy consistency.
Instructions
Simply combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a Hurricane glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry, and serve immediately.
1. Combine the pineapple juice, cream of coconut, optional fresh pineapple chunks, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and has a thick, slushy consistency.
3. Pour the blended mixture into a chilled Hurricane or Poco Grande glass.
4. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge on the rim and top with a maraschino cherry.
5. Add a straw and an optional cocktail umbrella, and serve immediately.
Garnishing
Garnish this tropical drink with a fresh pineapple wedge on the rim and a bright red maraschino cherry for a classic, appealing look.
- Pineapple Wedge - Place a fresh pineapple wedge on the rim of the glass.
- Maraschino Cherry - Drop a maraschino cherry on top of the drink or place it on the pineapple wedge.
Dietary Information
This mocktail is typically vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free. However, it is not considered nut-free due to the presence of coconut, which is classified as a tree nut by the FDA.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This mocktail is high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, primarily from the pineapple juice and cream of coconut. It's a sweet treat best enjoyed in moderation.
Calories
Averagely 250-350 kcal / 1046-1464 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 50-65 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 45-60 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This mocktail is perfect for warm weather occasions like summer parties, poolside lounging, and beach gatherings. Its non-alcoholic nature also makes it a fantastic choice for family-friendly events, baby showers, and brunches.
- Summer parties
- Beach gatherings
- Family-friendly events
- Brunches
Pairing suggestions
The sweet and tropical flavors of a Virgin Piña Colada pair wonderfully with light and savory dishes. It complements seafood like coconut shrimp, grilled chicken, and fish tacos, and it also balances the heat of spicy Caribbean or jerk dishes beautifully.
- Coconut Shrimp
- Grilled Chicken or Fish Tacos
- Fresh Fruit Salads
- Spicy Jerk Dishes
Virgin Piña Colada: A Taste of the Tropics, Alcohol-Free
The Virgin Piña Colada is the quintessential tropical mocktail, offering a creamy and refreshing escape in a glass. It perfectly balances the sweetness of pineapple with the rich flavor of coconut, blended into a smooth, frozen concoction. This family-friendly drink is simple to make and is an absolute crowd-pleaser at summer parties, beach outings, or any occasion calling for a festive, non-alcoholic beverage. Its iconic taste and presentation make it a beloved classic worldwide.