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Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Beverages

Published: Jan 9, 2023 · Modified: Nov 29, 2023 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Best Virgin Pina Colada Recipe

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This simple yet extraordinary 3-ingredient piña colada mocktail captures all the tropical magic of the classic cocktail without any of the alcohol. This sweet drink delivers all the distinctive richness and silky texture that make traditional frozen piña coladas so indulgent, ensuring nobody misses the rum!

a fancy serving glass filled with a virgin pina colada mocktail with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry garnish. a fresh pineapple sits behind it, along with a second mocktail, a white linen, and tropical green leaves.

After lots of iterations and taste tests, this recipe has perfected the ratio of cream of coconut to pineapple, creating that authentic piña colada flavor that rivals any beachside resort’s signature drink. And after 15+ years of experimenting with home bartending, this creamy and refreshing blend has become one of my kiddo’s most requested mocktail recipes. And I don’t mind at all because it’s packed with actual pineapple and 100% pineapple juice!

Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, looking for fun a kid-friendly drink option, or simply want a moment of tropical escape, this mocktail is the perfect choice! All you need is 3 simple ingredients, a blender, and a few minutes and you’ll have this tropical treat ready to sip on.

If you love this virgin pina colada mocktail recipe, you need to try these mai tai mocktail, mojito mocktail, and pink grapefruit mocktail recipes too!

Jump to:
  • You will love this Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada
  • Pina Colada Mocktail Ingredients
  • Pina Colada Non-Alcoholic Variations
  • How to make a Pina Colada Mocktail
  • Pina Colada Mocktail Recipe Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Love This Virgin Pina Colada Smoothie? You May Also Enjoy
  • Pina Colada Mocktail Recipe

You will love this Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada

A tropical paradise in a glass. This drink makes you feel like you’re enjoying time somewhere warm and sunny.

Quick and easy to make! This wonderfully creamy drink is ready in just a few minutes! Measure, blend, and enjoy!

Great for all ages. This virgin pina colada recipe is great for kids and adults alike! Because it’s alcohol free, this pina colada mocktail can be served to a wider audience.

Only 3 ingredients needed! This easy mocktail only needs 3 simple ingredients to make.  

Using frozen pineapple means no watering down with ice! Frozen pineapple is super convenient to store and since it’s so cold you don’t need to add ice to your drink. This results in a drink with strong, tropical, pineapple flavor.

Easy to make for one or in bulk for a party! This recipe can be made for a solo-night in or scaled and blended up for a larger get together! This is a great option for pool parties, girls night, sleepovers, and more.

Pina Colada Mocktail Ingredients

ingredients needed to make a pina colada mocktail.
  • Frozen Pineapple. Using frozen pineapple chunks keeps your virgin pina colada nice and cold without needing to water it down with ice cubes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about having fresh produce on hand when you want to make this fun and fruity non-alcoholic drink.
  • 100% Pineapple Juice. This shelf-stable juice amps up the tropical flavor, and adds nutrition to your pina colada mocktail (did you know pineapple juice is rich in vitamins B6 and vitamin C, is a good source of antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory properties too?).
  • Cream of Coconut. Cream of coconut is coconut cream that’s been sweetened and processed so it has a thick, syrupy texture. This mixture is primarily used for drink making, and is what gives this tropical mocktail its classic flavor.
  • Optional garnish: Maraschino cherries, a pineapple wedge or pineapple slice, or a cocktail umbrella! You could also make a coconut rim by coating the rim of your glass with the cream of coconut and gently rolling the coated edge in coconut flakes. 

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

The Difference Between Cream of Coconut and Coconut Cream

I learned this the hard way, but Cream of Coconut and Coconut Cream are NOT the same (despite what the similar name may lead you to think). In a nutshell, Cream of Coconut is sweet and has a syrup-like texture. Coconut cream is not sweet and is very thick.

Cream of coconut is what you want to mix drinks. It is a pre-made mixture of coconut cream that’s been sweetened and processed so it has a thick, syrupy texture. You can find this in squeeze-bottles or cans, often by drink-mixes (for us, this is by the liquor department). I personally like to use Coco Real’s Cream of Coconut for mixing drinks.

Coconut cream is a type of thick cream made from coconut milk that is very common in Southeast Asian cooking. Coconut cream has a distinct coconut flavor and is used in a wide variety of recipes like soups, sauces, smoothies, and desserts. It is also often used in vegan, dairy-free, and keto dishes. You will generally find coconut cream in a can in your grocery store’s ethnic food aisle.

To get that wonderfully creamy coconut flavor in your virgin drink, be sure to grab cream of coconut (NOT coconut cream).

Helpful Equipment

A good blender is a must for blended drinks! This is the blender we are currently using, and it has been working great! This is a simple, no-frills blender at a modest price point. And the newer model has both a large basin and smaller cups for more flexibility, nice!

Pina Colada Non-Alcoholic Variations

  • Add lime juice. Some pina colada recipes have lime juice. If you’d like to add this to your virgin pina colada recipe, add ½ – 1 ounce to start and adjust to your liking.
  • Add a non-alcoholic rum alternative (or rum extract). If you love zero-proof alcohol alternative, feel free to add 1-2oz into your blended pina colada mocktail! If you are doing this, reduce the amount of pineapple juice by the same amount to ensure you have the perfect frozen pina colada texture. You could also simply toss in 1 teaspoon of rum extract!
  • Make it into a cocktail. If you’d prefer a cocktail, add 1-2 ounces of white rum. Like with the zero-proof rum option, reduce the amount of pineapple juice by the same amount to ensure you have the perfect frozen pina colada texture.
  • Use coconut water instead of pineapple juice. If adding juice to your cocktail isn’t singing to you, coconut water is a great option too! Replace the pineapple juice 1-to-1 with coconut water.

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

This frozen pina colada mocktail recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free, and vegan as written. A great frozen mocktail option for many diets!

How to make a Pina Colada Mocktail

Note: the process shots shown below show a double batch (2x the recipe amount) to better illustrate what your mocktail will look like.

process shot showing how to make a pina colada mocktail, showing ingredients being added to a blender.

Step 1: Add frozen pineapple to the basin of a blender.

process shot showing how to make a pina colada mocktail, showing ingredients being added to a blender.

Step 2: Add cream of coconut.

process shot showing how to make a pina colada mocktail, showing ingredients being added to a blender.

Step 3: Add 100% pineapple juice.

process shot showing how to make a pina colada mocktail, showing the ingredients being blended in a large blender.

Step 4: Place lid on the blender and blend until smooth.  If needed, use a rubber scrapper to remove any fruit that may have gotten stuck on the blades while blending.

Adjusting the Consistency

Everyone has a different preference when it comes to drink thickness and texture. Luckily, this is something you can alter easily to make it the perfect texture for you!

  • To thin out your pina colada mocktail – add more pineapple juice. I recommend doing this in 1 ounce increments until you get to your desired consistency.
  • To thicken your frozen pina colada mocktail – add more frozen pineapple. I recommend doing this in small amounts (¼ cup increments) until your perfect texture is achieved.

Note: adding more ingredients to thin or thicken your smoothie will alter the flavor. Take a sip and adjust as needed to create your perfect mocktail experience!

Pina Colada Mocktail Recipe Tips

Be sure to blend your pineapple mocktail well! Pineapple is a fruit you want to be sure to blend well as it tends to get stuck on the blades of blenders, which can leave stringy chunks of fruit in your otherwise delightful drink. You can help prevent this by removing and shaking the blender body one or two times during blending, and/or using a rubber scraper to wipe down the sides and blades during blending.

Make sure you have cream of coconut NOT coconut cream. As noted above, although these ingredients sound the same they are very different. Cream of coconut is the sweetened variety that you want to make your pina colada with.

a fancy serving glass filled with a virgin pina colada mocktail with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry garnish. a fresh pineapple sits behind it, along with a white linen, and tropical green leaves.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh fruit instead of frozen fruit?

Absolutely! You can cut up and freeze fresh pineapple for use in this recipe (do this by placing cut up pineapple on a baking sheet and freezing overnight). Or if you can’t wait to freeze your fresh pineapple, add some ice to your recipe to ensure your virgin pina colada is nice and cold.

What’s the difference between coconut cream and cream of coconut?

Cream of Coconut and Coconut Cream are NOT the same (despite what the similar name may lead you to think). In a nutshell, Cream of Coconut is sweet and has a syruplike texture. Coconut cream is not sweet and is very thick. For mixing drinks, like a Pina Colada, you want to use cream of coconut. For cooking and baking things like soups, sauces, and desserts, coconut cream should be used.

What does piña colada mocktail taste like?

A pina colada mocktail is a delicious tropical drink that tastes like pineapple and coconut. This frozen version is blended up to have a consistency similar to a smoothie.

Is a piña colada Mexican?

This famous tropical drink was invented in San Juan, Puerto Rico! The pina colada’s creation is credited to bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero from the Caribe Hilton Hotel in 1954.

Can I turn this mocktail into a real piña colada?

Of course! Add 1-2 ounces of white rum per serving. If choosing to do this, reduce the amount of pineapple juice by the same amount.

Love This Virgin Pina Colada Smoothie? You May Also Enjoy

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Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & comment below! You can also tag @ourlovelanguageisfood on Instagram & Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get free recipes sent directly to your inbox!

a fancy serving glass filled with a virgin pina colada mocktail with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry garnish. a fresh pineapple sits behind it, along with a second mocktail, a white linen, and tropical green leaves.

Pina Colada Mocktail Recipe

Meredith
This creamy and tropical virgin pina colada recipe is ready in just minutes and is made with this simple 3-ingredients.
5 from 10 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 3 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Serving
Calories 418 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup frozen pineapple
  • 2 ounces cream of coconut (2oz = ¼ cup)
  • 6 ounces 100% pineapple juice

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If needed, scrape down the sides or area surrounding the blades with a rubber scraper to ensure all frozen fruit gets incorporated.

Video

Notes

Recipe Variations and Substitutions
  • Add lime juice. If desired, add ½ – 1 ounce of lime juice.
  • Add a non-alcoholic rum alternative (or rum extract). If desired, replace 1-2 ounces of pineapple juice with 1-2 ounces non-alcoholic rum alternative. Or simply toss in 1 teaspoon of rum extract!
  • Make it into a cocktail. If desired, replace 1-2 ounces of pineapple juice with 1-2 ounces of white rum.
  • Use coconut water instead of pineapple juice. If desired, replace the pineapple juice 1-to-1 with coconut water.
 
Optional Garnish Ideas
You can use all kinds of things to garnish your virgin pina colada. Try: maraschino cherries, a pineapple wedge or pineapple slice, or a cocktail umbrella! You could also make a coconut rim by coating the rim of your glass with the cream of coconut and gently rolling the coated edge in coconut flakes. 
Adjusting the Consistency
You can easily adjust the texture of your blended pina colada mocktail based on your personal preference.
  • To thin out your pina colada mocktail – add more pineapple juice. I recommend doing this in 1 ounce increments until you get to your desired consistency.
  • To thicken your frozen pina colada mocktail – add more frozen pineapple. I recommend doing this in small amounts (¼ cup increments) until your perfect texture is achieved.
    • Note: adding more ingredients to thin or thicken your smoothie will alter the flavor. Take a sip and adjust as needed to create your perfect mocktail experience!

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 83gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 33mgPotassium: 401mgFiber: 5gSugar: 71gVitamin A: 104IUVitamin C: 96mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 10 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. Bradey R says

    January 09, 2023 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    Perfection in a glass. Tried it. Love it. Will make again.

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      January 09, 2023 at 1:38 pm

      🙌 CHEERS TO THIS! enjoy

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Meredith!

I am a Midwest-based foodie and mom working full time by day and sharing my passion for all things food by night. Follow along for great recipes to share with your family and friends. I've got you covered for breakfast, dinner, snack-time, parties, desserts, drinks, and more!

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