Easy Virgin Pina Colada Recipe

Pina Coladas are one of my favorite summer drinks because they instantly make me feel like I am on vacation again. I love the creamy pineapple and coconut flavor, but many traditional pina colada recipes are very rich and loaded with added sugar. After a little experimenting and learning more about the different coconut products available, I discovered how to make a lighter Virgin Pina Colada recipe that still has that classic tropical flavor.

This frozen summer mocktail is creamy, refreshing, and made with frozen pineapple, coconut cream, and a sugar free monk fruit simple syrup instead of the heavy sweetened mixes often used in traditional pina coladas. It is an easy blender drink that is perfect for hot summer days, patio gatherings, or anytime you want a tropical treat without it feeling overly heavy.

Before we start blending, let’s quickly go over the different coconut products used in pina colada recipes because understanding the difference between coconut cream, coconut milk, cream of coconut, and coconut water makes a huge difference in both flavor and sweetness.

What’s the Difference Between Cream of Coconut, Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, and Coconut Water?

For a very long time I thought all coconut products were basically the same thing, so I avoided them because of the calories and richness. It turns out they are all very different products with different textures, sweetness levels, and calorie counts. Understanding the differences makes it much easier to choose the right one for recipes like this Virgin Pina Colada.

Here’s a quick look at the different types of coconut products commonly found at the grocery store.

Cream of Coconut

Cream of coconut is what is typically used in pina colada recipes. It’s similar to sweetened condensed milk and is sold in cans, squeeze bottles, and prepared pina colada mixes.

This is not what we use in this recipe.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk comes from the pulp of coconuts and has a very rich texture with a high fat content. It is commonly used to make creamy curries, soups, and sauces.

This is not what we use in this recipe either.

Coconut Water

Coconut milk and coconut cream come from the pulp of the coconut. Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside young green coconuts. It is light and refreshing, but it will not give you the creamy texture needed for a classic pina colada.

Again, this is not the product we use in this recipe.

Coconut Cream

Finally, coconut cream is the product we will be using in this recipe.

Coconut cream is made from coconut milk. When coconut milk is chilled, the thick coconut cream rises to the top. It has a rich coconut flavor and creamy texture, but without the overly sweet taste of cream of coconut used in many traditional pina colada recipes.

This is the coconut product we use for this Virgin Pina Colada recipe.

Tips for the Best Virgin Pina Colada

Some pina colada recipes mix coconut cream with a traditional 1:1 simple syrup to create a thinner consistency for drinking. To reduce the sugar even more, this recipe uses powdered Splenda Monk Fruit sweetener instead of a sugar based simple syrup.

If you would like to learn more about monk fruit sweeteners, I included a helpful article below.

Learn more about Monk Fruit sweeteners.

You can use any type of pineapple you have on hand for this Virgin Pina Colada recipe. However, if you want your drink to be especially icy and refreshing, I recommend peeling a fresh pineapple, cutting it into chunks, and freezing it in freezer bags the day before. One fresh pineapple usually gives me enough fruit for two batches of pina coladas.

To help the coconut cream separate, place the can of coconut cream in the fridge the day before, at the same time you freeze the pineapple chunks. Once chilled, the thick coconut cream will rise to the top of the can. Simply scoop out the 1/3 cup of coconut cream needed for the recipe.

Now that we have all the prep work done, let’s get that blender going and make this creamy Virgin Pina Colada recipe.

Virgin Pina Colada Recipe

Pina Colada Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
• 8 oz pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup coconut cream
• 1/4 tsp coconut extract
• 6 to 8 ice cubes

Sugar-Free Simple Syrup:

1/4 cup powdered monk fruit sweetener
1/2 cup water

Optional Alcohol Addition

If you would like to turn this Virgin Pina Colada into a cocktail, add:

• 4 oz white rum, golden rum, or Malibu rum for extra coconut flavor

Garnishes

• Fresh pineapple chunks
• Toasted coconut or shredded coconut

Virgin Pina Colada Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Pineapple

The Day Before– Peel and trim a fresh pineapple. Cut enough pineapple to get 2 cups of large chunks. Place the pineapple chunks into a freezer bag and freezer overnight.

Use the remaining fresh pineapple as garnish.

Note: In a pinch you can use any type of pineapple you have on hand instead of the fresh pineapple and skip the freezing.

Step 2: Make the Sugar Free Simple Syrup

To make the simple syrup, add the water and monk fruit sweetener to a small saucepan. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat until the sweetener dissolves completely, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely before using.

Step 3: Blend the Virgin Pina Colada

Place the frozen pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut cream, ice cubes, and prepared simple syrup into a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

If you would like to make an alcoholic version, add the rum before blending.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Pour the Virgin Pina Coladas into chilled glasses and garnish with fresh pineapple and shredded or toasted coconut before serving.

Optional Cocktail Version

To make an alcoholic pina colada, simply add the rum before blending. Malibu rum adds extra coconut flavor, while white or golden rum gives a more traditional tropical flavor.

This Virgin Pina Colada recipe is one of my favorite summer drinks to make on hot afternoons. I love the creamy pineapple and coconut flavor without it being overly rich or sugary. Whether you make the virgin version for the whole family or add a little rum for the adults, it’s an easy frozen drink that feels special without too much effort

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