Can The Coconut Extract Be Omitted
I know someone will write saying they dont like coconut. You really cant have a piña colada without coconut, and if you like piña coladas, this smoothie will be right up your alley.
The coconut flavor isnt overly intense, promise. However, omit the coconut extract if you wish.
If you simply dont have coconut extract, then add the optional shredded coconut instead. So long as you add coconut flaovr in some way, youre good to go!
How To Make Pina Colada Smoothie
Freeze fruits for making smoothies so when fruits are on sale purchase extra, peel them and chop them. You can freeze them for about 2 hours on a baking sheet in a single layer then transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container.
You can also freeze them in portion size containers so you can grab and dump into your blender. Frozen fruits give the smoothie a rich and creamy texture like ice has been added.
Full fat coconut milk in the can gives a richer texture as well but you can always substitute with lite coconut milk.
To make your homemade pina colada recipe, place coconut milk and pineapple juice in the blender, add banana and pineapple chunks. Blend until smooth and creamy.
These ingredients make the best pina colada recipe.
If you make this pina colada smoothie, snap a photo and hashtag #healthiersteps we love to see your recipes on , & !
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Easy Pina Colada Smoothie Recipe
Dated: May 20, 2020
This easy homemade pina colada smoothie made with banana and coconut milk is bound to be a favorite! It is the perfect refreshing drink for warm days and evenings so you too can enjoy the tropical taste of vacation at home. This healthy 4-ingredient recipe is made without alcohol and is naturally sweetened with fruit.
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Storage Information And Meal Prep
Smoothies are meant to be enjoyed right away as the texture will change the longer it sits out however, you can do a few things to prep this smoothie the night before.
Consider adding all of your ingredients, except the ice, to the blender and placing it in your refrigerator the night before. The next morning, add the ice and blend!
Expert Tips For Success
- This recipe can easily be scaled up for as many drinks as you need, it makes about 16 ounces which is enough for 1-2 people depending on the glass you use.
- Keep in mind that these drinks should be enjoyed immediately as they will melt as they sit. If the drinks become too thin, re-blend them with a handful of ice.
- Putting your glasses in the freezer helps keep the drink cold longer.
- Prep your garnishes before making the cocktail to make sure the Pina Coladas dont melt. I use pineapple wedges but you can also use little cocktail umbrellas or maraschino cherries.
- Use Cream of Coconut to make this drink taste like a mocktail and not like a smoothie!
- For a fun multi-color drink, blend the drink as directed above and add half of it to a glass. Add a splash of grenadine to the remaining half and blend again until combined. This will give you a Malibu Sunrise colored drink. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry.
- Dont want to make this drink virgin? Add a shot of rum before blending.
- Dont want to add alcohol but want to add some rum flavor? Add a little bit of rum extract for extra flavor
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Healthy Pia Colada Smoothie Recipe
Oh how I love a piña colada for breakfast. This version doesnt have alcohol in it, but you can fix that if youd like. I was sorting through my photos and realized I made this smoothie when we were in Aruba in August and didnt post the recipe.
Its now or never, because all of a sudden I feel like I wont be cool if I dont have a steady stream of apple and pumpkin recipes coming daily. As much as I enjoy them, I dont mind hanging onto summer a bit longer.
San Diego and most of Southern Cal gets our hottest weather of the year right now. Its been in the high 80s to mid 90s every day for the last week. These piña colada smoothie go down very nicely! And I dont think of piña coladas as only a summertime drink, and can appreciate a smoothie that tastes like a tropical vacation any time of the year.
This pineapple banana smoothie is vegan, gluten-free, and wont break your caloric piggy bank for the day. It clocks in at under 100 calories.
Pre-made piña colada mix is loaded with empty sugar calories. You may as well just eat frosting with a spoon . So I lightened it up, without sacrificing taste or flavor.
To add a pop of coconut flavor for pina colada authenticity without adding calories, I used coconut extract. Its sold in the baking aisle near vanilla and other extracts. Its usually much more reasonable than vanilla and only about $2 bucks for a 2-ounce bottle at my grocery store.
How To Make A Virgin Pina Colada
Making a virgin pina colada couldnt be easier. Its just like making any other smoothie. As you may know, I have many smoothies here on the blog. A few tropical favorites to check out are Chia Mango Smoothie, Green & Glowing, Peach Smoothie, Dragon Fruit Smoothie, Acai Bowls, and Matcha Smoothies! For those times you might want a less rich pineapple smoothie, heres my light Pineapple Smoothie recipe made with mango and banana.
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What Makes This Healthy
Healthy Pia Colada Smoothies
Home » Healthy Piña Colada Smoothies
These healthy Piña Colada Smoothies are a delicious drink that will leave you longing for a trip to the beach. Theyre paleo, dairy free, and naturally sweetened.
I dont know about you, but as soon as Christmas and New Years are over, Im immediately dreaming of spring and summer. I start making all the lemony foods like lemon poppy seed bread and Meyer lemon bread. Then I start longing for flavors like pineapple and coconut which means pineapple upside-down cake and coconut cake!
This time, I went a little bit healthier with these Piña Colada Smoothies. Theyre dairy free, naturally sweetened, and paleo. If you dont care about that and all youre looking for is a tasty tropical drink this fits the bill too!
While we have been pretty lucky with a mild winter so far, Im still over it. I want my sunshine, warm breezes, flip flops, and beach days. I want to enjoy one of these on my deck while my kids play in the sprinkler instead of sipping on one of these while Im bundled up under a blanket on the couch. You feel me on that?
Winter, Im done with YOU.
Also, Im cutting this post short so I can go and knock on all the wood so I dont jinx myself talking about mild winters. I dont want Mother Nature to see this and dump 2 feet of snow on us.
out and enjoy!
Prep Time: Total Time:
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How Long Does Pina Colada Smoothie Lasts
Pina colada pineapple coconut smoothie needs to be immediately refrigerated, if not enjoying right after preparation, for the best results.
Once ready to serve, mix with a spoon or blend the smoothie again in the blender for a smooth texture.
You may store this drink in the refrigerator for a couple of days, if stored properly in containers or glass jars or pitchers.
For longer storage, you may transfer the smoothie to ice cube trays and store in the freezer for some more time.
How To Make A Strawberry Banana Pina Colada
Follow these steps, and you will be sipping your pina colada in a few minutes.
This recipe has, wait for it, one step only!
In a blender, add the strawberries, banana, pineapple, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and rum. Blend until smooth and pour into your glass.
Garnish your drink with whipped cream and enjoy!
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What Is A Pia Colada
The name piña colada is Spanish for “strained pineapple”, and it was created in Puerto Rico in the 1950’s. It has actually been the national drink of Puerto Rico since 1978!
While the traditional cocktail is made with rum, cream of coconut, and freshly strained pineapple juice, we keep things non-alcoholic around here and skip the booze.
Piña coladas can be made either blended or shaken with ice. Both are delicious, but we tend to favor the slushier blended version.
Either way, they are so fun and pretty, especially when garnished with either a pineapple wedge, marachino cherry, or both.
Why Use Vanilla Coconut Milk Beverage
The vanilla just enhances the sweetness and complements the coconut and pineapple flavors, but it isnt essential. You can buy sweetened or unsweetened versions of vanilla coconut milk beverage. If you want that hint of vanilla but are using lite canned coconut milk, just add about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon vanilla flavoring or extract before blending.
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This Pina Colada Smoothie Is The Perfect Summer Drink
After learning how to cut a pineapple, the natural thing to do was make a pina colada smoothie! Because making yummy beverages is pretty much my favorite thing. My mom always ordered virgin pina coladas on our family vacations so this reminds me of carefree summer days. And this version is a wee bit more healthy than the usual calorie loaded drink, since its free of any added sugar or sweetener.
And it is sooo good. I knocked over one of the glasses while taking pictures and seriously contemplated slurping it up with a straw. The fact that others were present was pretty much the only thing that stopped me. So there you have it.
While Im all for smoothies for breakfast, this is a perfect an afternoon snack. Its perfect because you dont actually have to cook, yet youre not just eating fruit either. Kids love it and mom can kick back and pretend shes on a desert island with an actual pina colada on hand. Even more, leftovers make awesome popsicles, so dont worry if the servings turn out a little larger than you expected.
Whats In A Pina Colada Cocktail Drink
The key on how to make Frozen Pina Colada relies on three main ingredients.
Pineapples. I recommend using the fresh diced chunks of pineapple. It is naturally sweeter and refreshing. Other versions use pineapple juice and taste great as well.
Cream of Coconut. Dont confuse this with coconut milk and coconut cream. Cream of Coconut is smooth, rich, and has the thickest consistency among the three and usually added to drinks because its already sweetened.
Rum. The life of the party drink. White rum is commonly used but any rum will do.
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Vegan Pia Colada Smoothie
by Megan · This post may contain affiliate links.
This Vegan Piña Colada Smoothie is truly the best breakfast smoothie! With only 7 ingredients needed, this smoothie has all the flavors of your favorite cocktail, but without alcohol or added sugar. It’s truly the best pineapple smoothie filled with healthy fats from coconut and also happens to be naturally sweetened & gluten-free too!
Believe it or not, I actually have teenage Megan to thank for this recipe. Growing up, we spent a few vacations visiting family in Arizona and I always felt SO cool when I could tan by the pool and sip my virgin Piña Colada poolside.
These days, my body can’t handle drinking those sugar-filled drinks back to back. That’s why I knew I had to develop a healthier recipe for a Piña Colada smoothie that still had all the traditional flavors of this pineapple coconut drink, but without all the added sugar or alcohol. Plus, this healthy smoothie recipe is great as a quick breakfast and even works as a summertime dessert.
Tips For The Perfect Pina Colada Smoothie
- Frozen pineapple. This creates the perfect creamy consistency. You can buy bags of frozen pineapple at the grocery, or cut a fresh pineapple into cubes and then freeze them yourself.
- Stir the coconut milk. Coconut milk tends to separate in the can . So before using the milk, make sure to give it a big stir to combine the 2 layers. You can definitely use your blender to do this, just make sure to pour it back in the can and then measure out 3/4 cup.
- Liquid first. As with most smoothie recipes, pour the liquid into the blender first, then add the remaining ingredients. Not only is this gentler on your blender, but the smoothie will blend more easily this way.
- Consistency. After blending together the ingredients, check out the consistency. If its too thick, add in a bit more coconut milk. Or blend in more frozen pineapple or ice to thicken it up.
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Whats In A Homemade Virgin Pina Colada
4 cups frozen pineapple chunks Make sure you get the unsweetened pineapple. The ingredients should simple say, pineapple on the package.
13.5 oz. can full fat coconut milk Make sure this is the canned variety. Do not use the stuff in the carton. Also, make sure there is no added sugar. You want the unsweetened stuff.
2 tbsp. maple syrup Use the real stuff. If you dont have any handy, honey is a great substitute.
1-2 cups ice I didnt use this, but if you prefer an icier texture , add 1 to 2 cups of ice and blend it in with everything else. Without the ice, this is more like an icy smoothie.
Why Youll Love My Kale Pina Colada Smoothie Recipe
This smoothie is actually inspired by one of my favorite smoothies at a local smoothie shop called a Pina-kale-ada. My version is packed with fruity pineapple, coconut milk AND some actual coconut flakes to bring even more tropical flavor.
You can really taste the pina colada in this!
Like a lot of smoothies, the base is a banana because that gives the Kale Pina Colada Smoothie recipe substance and makes it really creamy and smooth. It also ads a lot of vitamins like potassium, magnesium and vitamin C to the drink!
If bananas arent your thing, you hardly taste it so dont knock it before you try it.
The kale in my Kale Pina Colada Smoothie recipe packs in more nutrition and is the perfect way to sneak in your greens. Kale is actually one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and is also filled to the brim with Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6 just to name a few.
I think the pineapple and coconut totally mask the kale flavor so other than the green color this really doesnt taste like a traditional green smoothie.
My Kale Pina Colada Smoothie recipe has all sorts of hidden goodness BUT still tastes like a day at the beach. So find a warm spot in the house, get cozy, drink up and dream of a new season.
And for those of you who may be counting spring is only 23 days away!
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The Best And Easiest Pineapple Coconut Smoothie Recipe
If youre looking for a fresh, simple and healthy pineapple smoothie recipe, youve come to the right place. Making a smoothie with pineapple is a fantastic way to enjoy this fresh, tropical fruit.
This Pina Colada Smoothie recipe has the the same great flavor as a Pina Colada cocktail, but without all the calories and sugar. This Pineapple Coconut smoothie delivers excellent texture, flavor, and just the perfect amount of sweetness. Its also a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy breakfast or snack.
Fun Garnishes For Pia Coladas:
- Whipped Coconut Cream . Over the winter, I started picking up this dairy-free whipped cream at the grocery store for topping hot chocolate. I love that it keeps well in the fridge. Its obviously not the most healthy thing on the planet, but its REALLY fun to add that signature whipped cream swirl. Otherwise, you can make your own whipped coconut cream or use traditional whipped cream if that works with your dietary needs.
- Fresh Pineapple Wedges. A wedge or slice of fresh pineapple really makes virgin pina coladas look beautiful and feel like a real treat.
- The cherry on top is a maraschino or fresh cherry! We love adding a little cherry on top of our virgin pina colada smoothies to turn them into a treat. These maraschino cherries are dye-free and dont use corn syrup. For paleo, try fresh cherries instead!
- Fresh Mint Leaves. For a little pop of color and freshness, feel free to add a fresh mint leaf or two on top!
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