Before summer is over I think it’s our duty to enjoy all of the tropical summery drinks don’t you? Frozen drinks in particular are just perfect for a hot afternoon spent by the pool, at the beach, or even for a backyard hang. Other than my recipe for Watermelon Mint Slushes, pina coladas are my next favorite summertime special cocktail. While most people tend to enjoy them strictly on vacation or when somewhere tropical, it truly is easy to make them right at home. Just a few simple ingredients and you can be transported to your favorite beach destination. This recipe for the best pina colada is one that you will want to have in your back pocket every single summer.

I don’t know why we tend to only drink pina coladas on vacation, because they are truly so simple to make and when you make them at home, they are not too sugary and taste so fresh. I use fresh pineapple that I freeze (you could also just buy frozen), coconut milk, cream of coconut, rum, and lime juice! It doesn’t get much easier than that and there is no added sugar. I simply blend up the ingredients until smooth and creamy and then top off with a little dark rum for color and taste and garnish with fresh fruit. You could also make a non-alcoholic version of this recipe by simply omitting the rum here and it would taste like a tropical smoothie! Delish either way!

I love pineapple and coconut together in any situation but particularly in a pina colada they mesh so well with the rum and create the ultimate summertime cocktail. The next time you get a pineapple at the store, freeze half of it and make delicious pina coladas with it and I promise you won’t regret it. These pina coladas are so great for transporting you to your favorite beachside spot without even having to leave the house!

Make a pitcher of these and serve them up to friends and family and enjoy a tropical backyard oasis!

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups Frozen Pineapple (about 1/2 of a pineapple)

• 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk

• 3 Tbsp. Cream of Coconut

• 1/2 Cup White Rum

• 4 Tbsp. Dark Rum

• 1/4 Cup Lime Juice

• Fresh Pineapple for Garnish

• Cherries for Garnish

Directions:

• Combine pineapple, coconut milk, cream of coconut, white rum, and lime juice in a blender and blend until creamy and smooth.

• Serve in 4 glasses and then take 1 tbsp. of dark rum and drizzle on top of each glass.

• Garnish with fresh pineapple and cherries and serve immediately.

How good do these look? Pina coladas made right at home are going to become your new favorite summertime cocktali!