Transport yourself to a tropical paradise in just five minutes with this Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie! This vibrant drink blends juicy strawberries, creamy coconut, sweet pineapple, and a splash of rum for a vacation-worthy treat you can make any time the craving hits.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 5-Minute Tropical Escape: This Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie serves up sunshine in a glass—no plane ticket required.
- So Creamy, So Refreshing: Crushed ice, coconut cream, and frozen strawberries blend into a dreamy, frosty texture that’s pure bliss.
- Easy to Customize: You can effortlessly adjust sweetness, rum, or even make it booze-free without sacrificing flavor.
- A Show-Stopper: Swirls of strawberry and pineapple with finishing fruity garnishes make it as gorgeous as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie is made with just a handful of ingredients, but each one plays a unique role in achieving that signature blend of fruity, creamy, and icy. Nothing complicated—just pure, tropical magic in every sip!
- Frozen Strawberries: These give the smoothie its beautiful pink hue and a deep burst of berry flavor. Using them frozen is the secret to a thick, frosty texture.
- Pineapple Juice: Sweet and a little tart, pineapple juice brings out that classic “colada” taste and pairs perfectly with strawberries.
- White Rum: Adds a gentle, grown-up kick and makes this drink totally vacation-approved; feel free to skip for a virgin version.
- Cream of Coconut: This creamy, sweet coconut product (not to be confused with coconut milk) makes the smoothie rich and indulgent.
- Crushed Ice: The final piece! The ice lightens up the drink and keeps it refreshingly chilly to the very last sip.
Variations
One of the best parts about making your own Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie is how easy it is to experiment and create your ideal blend. Don’t be afraid to swap ingredients or adjust to suit your mood—you’ll love discovering new favorites!
- Virgin Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie: Just skip the rum for a kid-friendly, all-ages version that’s every bit as luscious.
- Mango or Banana Twist: Replace half the strawberries with mango or banana for a sunny new take and extra creaminess.
- Dairy-Free Option: This recipe is already naturally dairy-free, but make sure your cream of coconut is as well if you’re sensitive.
- Sweeter Sip: Add a drizzle of simple syrup or agave if you like things sweeter—especially if your fruit is extra tart.
How to Make Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie
Step 1: Load Up the Blender
Add the frozen strawberries and two generous cups of crushed ice to your blender. Layering the icy ingredients first helps everything break down evenly for that signature thick-and-creamy consistency.
Step 2: Pour in the Pineapple Juice
Next, pour in the pineapple juice. This will help the blades turn smoothly and blend all the fruit and ice together, while also forming the juicy, tropical base of your smoothie.
Step 3: Add Rum and Cream of Coconut
Measure out and add the white rum for a classic cocktail flair, and dollop in the cream of coconut. The coconut is what transforms this from a simple smoothie to a truly decadent colada—don’t skimp!
Step 4: Blend Until Silky Smooth
Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no ice chunks remaining. If needed, stop and scrape down the sides or add a little more pineapple juice for extra flow.
Step 5: Pour, Garnish, and Serve
Pour your gorgeous Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie into chilled glasses, garnish with fresh strawberries or a pineapple wedge, and serve immediately for peak frosty deliciousness.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie
- Super Chill Glasses: Pop your serving glasses in the freezer while you prepare the smoothie for an extra frosty, slow-melting treat.
- The Right Coconut: Be sure to use canned cream of coconut (like Coco López) for that rich, sweet, silky texture—not coconut milk or coconut cream meant for curries.
- Tweak Sweetness at the End: Taste your smoothie before pouring—if your fruit is on the tart side, a little simple syrup or agave perks it right up without losing the refreshing edge.
- Blender Power Matters: If your blender struggles with ice, pulse the mixture a few times before running continuously; this helps break up chunks and creates that signature creamy consistency.
How to Serve Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie
Garnishes
Give your Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie that “vacation cocktail” feel with an artful garnish! A fresh strawberry, pineapple wedge, or a sprig of mint perched on the rim makes each glass look straight out of a resort bar. For a little extra flair, try a cocktail umbrella or a swirl of toasted coconut flakes on top.
Side Dishes
This smoothie absolutely shines at brunch alongside tropical fruit salads, coconut macaroons, or even a buttery croissant. For a poolside snack, pair it with salty plantain chips or a light shrimp ceviche for that full-on island vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party-worthy presentation, serve the Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie in hollowed-out pineapples or tall hurricane glasses with fun straws. For a color-layered effect, pour half plain pina colada mixture, then carefully layer the strawberry blend on top. Or, freeze mini portions into popsicle molds for a playful twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Honestly, this Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie is best sipped fresh, right after blending, when the texture is at its fluffiest and most refreshing. If you must store a little, cover and refrigerate for just a few hours and re-blend with extra ice before serving.
Freezing
Turn leftovers into boozy popsicles by pouring the smoothie into molds and freezing solid. For freezing to re-blend later, portion into airtight containers and freeze; thaw for 10–15 minutes and blend with fresh ice to restore creamy perfection.
Reheating
There’s no reheating with smoothies, but if your Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie has been chilled or frozen, simply let it soften slightly and re-blend with a splash of pineapple juice to revive that lush texture.
FAQs
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Can I make this Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie without alcohol?
Absolutely! Just leave out the rum and follow the rest of the recipe. You’ll still get all the rich, creamy, tropical goodness—perfect for a family-friendly treat or poolside refreshment.
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What’s the best way to sweeten the smoothie if my fruit isn’t very ripe?
If your strawberries or pineapple juice are a little tart, a drizzle of simple syrup, honey, or agave is the easiest way to bump up the sweetness. Add a small amount, blend, taste, and adjust as needed!
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What’s the difference between cream of coconut and coconut milk?
Cream of coconut is much sweeter and thicker than coconut milk, and is essential for getting that luxurious texture and coconut flavor in a Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie. Coconut milk won’t give you the same richness or mouthfeel.
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Can I double or triple the recipe for a party?
Yes! Just scale everything up and blend in batches if needed—your guests will love having their very own Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie in hand. Don’t forget to set up a pretty garnish bar for extra fun.
Final Thoughts
Life’s too short to wait for vacation—invite the sunshine in with a homemade Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie! I hope this recipe brings you a little slice of paradise wherever you are, and inspires countless smiles, toasts, and poolside daydreams. Cheers to fruity bliss!
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Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Blending
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a refreshing twist on the classic pina colada with this Strawberry Pina Colada recipe. With the tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut combined with sweet strawberries, it’s the perfect summer cocktail.
Ingredients
Frozen Strawberries:
- 2 cups
Pineapple Juice:
- 6 oz
White Rum:
- 4 oz
Cream of Coconut:
- 4 oz
Crushed Ice:
- 2 cups
Instructions
- Add frozen strawberries and 2 cups of ice to a blender. Pour in pineapple juice.
- Add rum. Add cream of coconut.
- In a high-speed blender, blend until a creamy, ‘smoothie’ consistency has been reached. Pour into glasses.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and a pineapple slice. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Nutritional information is only an estimate.
- For best results, serve these strawberry pina colada drinks immediately after blending all your ingredients.
- This particular cocktail recipe does not store well.
- Be sure to measure your ingredients carefully to get the best tasting pina colada ever.
- To make your pina colada cocktail as cold as can be, saturate the glasses with water and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes while you prepare the drinks.
- Traditionally, strawberry pina coladas are not very sweet. To make frozen pina coladas a little sweeter, simply add some simple syrup (not all brands are vegan) or agave prior to blending.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
