A fun and easy twist on a classic pina colada cocktail, today’s Whipped Pina Colada is a smooth, frothy frozen cocktail with a luscious pineapple whipped cream topping. It’s the perfect summer cocktail to enjoy with friends – or make it virgin for a family-friendly treat.

Whipped Pina Colada Recipe

Somewhere in my parents’ old collection of home videos, there is a video of me playing waitress and asking all of the adults if they’d like to order a pina colada or a Tiger beer.

And apparently, allll of these years later and offering pina coladas is still my hostess move of choice!

Pina Coladas were invented in Puerto Rico where it still reigns supreme as the national drink. While I have a traditional pina colada recipe here, today’s recipe is not a traditional version at all.

First, we’re using dark rum instead of white or gold rum for a richer, more caramelized undertone; I swapped out the cream of coconut for mostly coconut milk (with a dash of coconut cream) for a lighter, milkshake-like texture (think Wendy’s Frosty-style); and finally, rather than top our cocktails with plain old whipped cream, we’re going to make a pineapple-infused whipped cream that is just unbelievably decadent and delicious.

The result is a subtle variation on a traditional pina colada that still packs a delicious tropical flavor punch but is lighter and doesn’t separate as quickly, allowing you to slowly sip it on a hot day.

Whipped Pina Colada Variations:

• swap out the sugar and coconut cream for cream of coconut
• use frozen pineapple instead of ice for a more vibrant pineapple flavor
• use coconut rum
• leave out the rum for a virgin pina colada
• use other citrus or tropical juices instead of pineapple juice for a refreshing twist

What kind of coconut cream is best for a pina colada? We experimented heavily with different coconut creams in this recipe. Traditionally, pina coladas are made with cream of coconut but our recipe uses coconut cream (which does not contain added sugar and is typically cheaper than cream of coconut).

Ideally, you want a coconut cream that is flavorful and not too thick – you should be able to hear the liquid sloshing around in the can when you shake it. However, flavor is always more important so if you have to go with a thicker coconut cream, you can whip it with a mixer or melt it in the microwave for 15 seconds to make it a bit easier to blend. The coconut creams that we found to have the best out-of-the-can consistency and flavor were Thai Kitchens Coconut Cream or Kosa Coconut Cream. Coco Real (the coconut cream that comes in a squirt bottle) has great flavor, too.

If you do want to opt for using cream of coconut, omit the sugar called for in the recipe below (you can add a bit to taste after everything is whipped up, if desired).

Can you make whipped pina coladas in advance? While I have frozen slushy mixes until ready to serve, know that the coconut cream might separate from the rest of the mixture if you choose to freeze the pina colada slushy before serving.

The whipped topping will not freeze well and will need to be made the day that you plan to serve these whipped cocktails.

I often order my liquor from Drizly because they have a quick delivery time (sometimes within 40 minutes) and no expensive mark-ups. Purchasing from them supports local retailers, too. You can order the Rum needed for this recipe from them.

Whipped Pina Colada Ingredients

• Coconut Cream
• Coconut Milk
• Pineapple Juice
• White Sugar, or more to taste
• Ice
• Rum, optional

Optional Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping:

• Pineapple Juice
• Heavy Whipping Cream, 35%

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: leave out the rum for a delicious tropical smoothie that you can enjoy all summer long.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Liquid measure (shot measure/jigger)
• Smoothie-Style Blender
• Ice maker
• Hurricane Glasses

I really loved using my gorgeous Omishome Bartending Kit to make this recipe. The pretty bamboo holder contains all of the tools you need to make perfect cocktails, and those pretty gold tools add a touch of class to your home bar set-up.

How to Make Whipped Pina Coladas

If you desire to serve the pina coladas with the whipped topping, prepare that first by placing the pineapple juice and heavy cream in a medium-sized bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 4-5 minutes until soft peaks form. Set aside.

In a blender, puree the coconut cream, coconut milk, pineapple juice, sugar and ice until no large pieces of ice remain.

Pour the frozen mixture into two glasses and top with 1 1/2oz of rum, if using.

Top with half of the pineapple whipped cream topping, if using.

Makes 2 servings.

Pin this Delicious Tropical Cocktail for your next summer get-together with friends:

Grab your free printable for our whipped pina colada cocktail recipe here:

I hope you love this easy whipped pina colada cocktail as much as my friends and I do!

For more tantalizing cocktails, check out our full cocktail recipe collection here: