Spiced Piña Coladas

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Spiced Piña Coladas can send you on an instant mini-vacation to a tropical paradise. Spiced rum takes this cocktail to a delicious level.

Pin Spiced Piña Coladas to make later.

You can’t help thinking about (or singing) Escape – The Piña Colada song at the mere mention of the frozen concoction. You’re singing it now, aren’t you?

Just the mere thought of a piña colada invokes the notion of faraway places, island breezes, warm tropical waters, blue skies, and sunshine.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Can You Use Spiced Rum In a Piña Colada?
• Is Cream of Coconut or Coconut Milk Better for a Piña Colada?
• Are Spiced Piña Coladas Easy to Make?
• More Frozen Drink Recipes
• Spiced Piña Coladas

Ingredients

Just a few ingredients are needed to make this tropical concoction. If you have a well stocked bar and pantry, you most likely have all of the ingredients. This is a piña colada with Captain Morgan spiced rum. You can certainly use other spiced rums, but this one really is top notch.

• Spiced Rum
• Cream of Coconut
• Pineapple Juice
• Ice

A piña colada is probably my favorite frozen tropical drink. The perfect marriage of pineapple, coconut, and rum blended with ice for a summertime drink. It’s cold and refreshing on a hot day.

But it’s not only a summer drink because this version is popular all year long. This cocktial is one of the most popular on the site year round. 

I guess folks are looking for an Escape… there’s that song again!

Can You Use Spiced Rum In a Piña Colada?

The short answer is an emphatic YES! While a piña colada can be made with any type of rum, my choice is a spiced rum, preferably Captain Morgan. To me, other spiced rums have that sharp bite. Captain Morgan is smooth.

Spiced rum adds more flavor to the drink without overpowering it and sometimes white rums can have that bite, or harshness, to them.

By that I mean the drink goes down rough, not smooth. 

Remember, the better the ingredients, the better the drink. I preach this in my other cocktail posts.

Is Cream of Coconut or Coconut Milk Better for a Piña Colada?

Cream of coconut is the be opitmal choice. It’s thicker and contributes to the texture of the frozen drink. Coconut milk is thinner and will not thicken the cocktail. The cream of coconut will also give a richer flavor to the drink.

Coconut milk is less sweet and has a much less intense flavor. A piña colada must have a rich coconut flavor. 

Are Spiced Piña Coladas Easy to Make?

Very easy, especially if you’ve made frozen blender drinks in the past. It’s really about balance between ingredients and the amount of ice you use in making the drink. The ratio of the amount of ingredients to the amount of ice is crucial. You don’t want a gritty drink. More about that in a minute.

Remember, you can always add more ice if necessary, or more liquid. Take it slow when making the drink. You’ll be able to tell when the ratio is spot on. 

When making your cocktails, use the smallest ice cubes possible. If you can, crush your ice before adding it to the blender. This will help avoid a gritty, small ice ball texture in the drink. An extra step, I know, but well worth it for a smooth beverage. 

The same could be said about making milkshakes too. For those it’s a milk and ice cream balance.

More Frozen Drink Recipes

If you enjoy frozen drinks, here are a few more to try:

• Frozen Peach Margaritas
• Frozen Mango Margaritas
• Cantaloupe Wine Slushie
• Frozen Strawberry Margaritas

These can be made with either fresh or frozen fruit. Frozen fruit makes the drink colder and more refreshing. Plus, you can sometimes use less ice.