Fresh Coconut Pina Coladas
It's easy to make a fresh coconut Pina Coladas. With step-by-step instructions, you'll agree: that the classic tropical cocktail is better with fresh pineapple and fresh coconut - with or without alcohol!
This recipe was originally published in 2014 – and has become one of our most popular posts. I’ve updated it with new photos and new Healthy Kitchen Hacks >> Like: freeze the pineapple first for a super thick drink.
When I stay with my sister and her four kids in Montana, things can get a little crazy. Her four, plus my four kids...well, tropical pina colada are a tasty cure-all.
Making these naturally sweet, icy refreshers with fresh young coconut meat (instead of the typical coconut cream) makes them soooo much more sweet-coconutty - and entertains the kids for a good 30 minutes.
To crack open a young or mature coconut, check out Deanna's post and 1-minute video: How To Open a Coconut at Home.
By the end of coconut cracking, we'd brought out a hammer and nail to assist in following the YouTube steps. The kids thought it was a BIG deal; because of course, what other occurrence involves a hammer with food? It wasn't hard at all. In fact my 7 year-old son did all the hammering.
And a few more tools you'll need: lots of straws for sipping the soooo delicious coconut water! Fresh young coconuts are cheap (less than $3) and super healthy. And the thrill of slurping fresh coconut water never dies.
By using fresh pineapple and fresh coconut, I was able to Re-Dux the classic syrupy-sweet pina colada for this month's Recipe ReDux theme of "A Spirited ReDux". Follow these super easy 'How to Cut a Pineapple' instructions by Karman at Nutrition Adventures.
Here's what I did to make my healthier version of Homemade Pina Coladas:
Pureed the coconut and pineapple to retain all the nutrient-rich solids. Many of the recipes I found strained the coconut and the pineapple out of the final mix. Keeping the solids maintains fiber and antioxidants and vitamins found in the whole fruit.
Cut out most of the added sugar. Most versions had tablespoons of sugar per drink. Mine has just 1 teaspoon. The sweet fresh pineapple adds plenty of sweetness. If you need to add more, add by ½ teaspoon.
Be sure to make an extra batch of these and leave out the rum for the kids, but don't forget the cocktail umbrellas. They will be pleased as punch! [bctt tweet="Have you ever cracked open a fresh coconut? Try it! Then make these: Fresh Coconut Pina Coladas via @TspCurry" via="no"]
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Fresh Coconut Pina Coladas
Description
Classic tropical Pina Coladas made sweeter with the addition of fresh pineapple and fresh coconut. Only 1 teaspoons of sugar in each drink. Rum is optional.
Ingredients
⅔ cup chopped fresh young coconut meat or ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut meat
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple (or canned) frozen for 1-2 hours
1 ½ cups coconut water (from fresh coconut if your kids don't drink it all or I used Vita Coco brand)
2-3 teaspoons sugar
2 ounces rum
ice
Instructions
In a blender place coconut, frozen pineapple, coconut water and puree for 3-4 minutes until coconut is thoroughly pureed.
Add sugar and taste after a quick blend.
Add rum and ice to taste.
Garnish with fresh pineapple and a cocktail umbrella.
Notes
Freeze pineapple on a parchment-covered tray at least 1-2 hours before making the drink for a thicker, frostier drink.
Follow these super easy instructions for 'How to Cut a Pineapple' by Nutrition Adventures.
I followed this YouTube video on how open a coconut, but my coconut was trickier to open. I needed a hammer and a nail too.
Have you ever cracked open a fresh coconut? What's your favorite tropical drink?
Please check out all the other sippable Spirited ReDuxes below from our Recipe ReDux friends:
I've never cracked open a coconut. I need to add it to my bucket list.
Hey and then you can cross something off your bucket list that was only 3 bucks! Can't beat that, right Jill?!
We have a coconut sitting on our window sill... now I know how we'll use it! This looks like the perfect fresh and delightful weekend treat. Perhaps on the beach for cocktail hour?
Oh...now you've one-upped me. I drank mine looking out over the cornfield in my country backyard! Beach would be more fitting Jenny!
One of my favorite drinks! I love that everything is fresh in this version!
Thanks Kelly. It just says summer, doesn't it? Or in the winter...sunshine! (:
I can't wait to try it!!
Thanks Carolina! Let us know when you relaxingly sipping one! (:
Sounds delicious - I don't do enough with fresh coconut!
I know, and toasted coconut to just eat straight! And so many more Steph!
Love your recipe and mostly, your two coconut testers lol! I've always been too scared to attempt to crack open a fresh coconut but I may have to give it a try now 😉
Oh, it's the PERFECT summertime activity for kids Karielyn: Fresh coconut + hammer + straws + a sidewalk = Fun for at least 15-20 whole minutes! (:
Love the healthier cocktail ideas. They can be so high in sugar! I can now enjoy my pina colada, thanks 🙂
Yes, please enjoy one on me Bridget!
Ah I LOVE pina colada flavored recipes of any form. I've been using so much coconut rum lately in drink recipes, that I bet that would be great used in this! I love how natural this pina colada is compared to your typical pina colada frozen drink.
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Let me know how it turns out Sarah Grace...and please share your other rum recipes besides the Rum Balls which I'm off to check out now!
I looooove fresh coconut! When I was in Hawaii a few years ago, I'm pretty sure I had at least one a day, but I've never cracked one open myself. And even though I saw that recipe and really wanted to try it, I didn't because I was still scared. But I think you might have persuaded me to try it! Maybe I'll have to add it to my list of fun food related activities I do with my niece and nephew - they're always expecting me to do something fun with them in the kitchen 🙂
Believe me! It's EASY! Try it outside the first time to boost your confidence that even if disaster happens - which the worst I can think of is the meat doesn't separate very well from the shell - in which case just warm them in the oven at about 400 degrees for about 10 min and they should pop apart!
I'm crazy for coconut these days! I will try this.
Yes, your Coconut Truffles look amazing. So many coconut recipes to try! (:
I'm not sure why I've never thought to buy/eat/drink a fresh coconut, but it's definitely on my immediate to-do list. Yum!
There's so many recipes that are great with fresh coconut: Asian stir frys, broth-based soups, banana smoothies. Even muffins! Enjoy Dana!
I love fresh Thai coconuts. Not sure the pulp would make it to the blender. Great idea!
Oh, now is there a difference between 'regular' coconuts and Thai coconuts, Heidi?
Much healthier version then the pre-made pina colada mix! I want to be on the beach drinking one right now! (btw.. writing this comment at 8 am haha!!)
Never too early for a coconut/pineapple ummm, 'smoothie'!
Love how you lightened this cocktail. I have to add it to my Friday night cocktail list.
I never knew it was so easy to crack a coconut! Although, I suppose when you combine any food with a hammer, you're dealing with a tough nut to crack 😉 As an appreciator of a good pina colada, I love this lighter version!
Let me know if you try it Jessie. It's fun and not hard at all. The screw driver could be replace with a long nail or long knife sharpener...and the hammer replaced with a rock or a heavy knick-knack you don't really like. (:
I love this version of pina colada. It's my favorite summertime indulgence and I don't treat myself much because of the calories. Looks like I won't have to save them as a treat anymore! Thanks!
Kellie - I was surprised by how little sugar/sweetener was needed to make this drink truly taste really sweet (like the original syrupy one!)
I love pina coladas! Need to try this with a fresh coconut- yum!!!
The great thing is the coconut lasts in the fridge for days, so you can make several 'healthy' drinks a few days in a row. (:
I make pina colada smoothies all the time and never considered adding rum...what's wrong with me? And fresh coconut, too -- delightful! 🙂
I was surprised to see how well the pineapple blended up...even with just my regular (not super powered) blender - not stringy at all. But you are already an expert in that!
My mind instantly goes to... "yes I like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain..." but, I am into health food. 🙂 There is nothing like like combination of pineapple and coconut - I love the idea of skipping the straining for a heartier frozen drink! Will definitely try!
Hahaha! Totally forgot about that song! A great one...and yet 1 more reason to make this drink again! (:
I can't stand those syrupy premade pina colada mixes...but fresh fruit and fresh juice?! I am so in.