Pina Colada: 3 recipes that celebrate the flavorful tropical cocktail

Have you had a Pina Colada this summer? This flavorful tropical cocktail isn’t just for that beach vacation, these recipes are perfect anytime.

A Pina Colada is considered the national drink of Puerto Rica. Celebrating its own food holiday on July 10, the rum cocktail is usually a combination of pineapple juice, coconut cream and rum. Served blended or over ice, one sip of this tropical cocktail can have you feeling the island breezes.

In many ways, the Pina Colada has a strong tie to pop culture. Who hasn’t sung the lyrics from Rupert Holmes’ “Escape” (“If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain”)? While the errant rain shower can put a dampener in your plans, the tropical cocktail can be quite refreshing on a hot day.

The flavors of pineapple and coconut tend to work well together. The combination is slightly sweet yet not overpowering. The creaminess makes this drink seem rich, yet never quite feels too heavy.

Rum is usually the liquor used in this cocktail. While there are many, many types of rum, sometimes a spiced rum, like Malibu, offers a nice balance to the sweetness of this cocktail.

Here’s how to make a Classic Malibu Pina Colada

Classic Malibu Pina Colada, photo provided by Malibu

"Classic Malibu Pina ColadaIngredients:• 1 part Malibu Original• 1 ½ parts Pineapple juice• ½ part Coconut creamMethod:• Pour everything in a shaker with ice, shake, pour and enjoy• Garnish: Slice of pineapple"

While coconut cream is the classic ingredient, today many people are looking for lighter alternatives. Coconut water can offer that coconut flavor without being quite as heavy.

Although the coconut water brings a slightly different texture, the coconut flavors still come through in each sip. This version also offers a slight brightness from the fresh lime juice. The punch of acid keeps the cocktail from being too sweet.

For someone who prefers a slightly lighter version of the classic cocktail, this one using coconut water is a great choice.

Malibu Coconut Water Pina Colada, photo provided by Malibu

"Malibu Coconut Water Pina ColadaIngredients:• 1 ½ part Malibu Original• 1 ½ parts Coconut Water• 2 parts Pineapple juice• ½ part Fresh Lime JuiceMethod:• Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker, shake until cold and strain into a chilled glass filled with ice cubes, top with pineapple juice• Garnish: Slice of pineapple"

If you are looking to go totally out of the box on to celebrate this food holiday, this particular cocktail is definitely a bold choice. Using Stoupakis Mastiha and Snap Pea Juice, this cocktail is definitely a bold variation on the classic.

In a way, this colorful cocktail could be a game changer for National Pina Colada Day. No one would guess that this green cocktail is a pina colada.

Here’s how to make Malibu Pea’na Colada

Malibu Pea’na Colada, photo provided by Malibu

"Malibu Pea’na ColadaIngredients:• 1 ¼ part Malibu Original• ¾ part Stoupakis Mastiha• ½ part Coconut Milk• ½ part Simple Syrup• ¾ part Snap Pea Juice• ½ part Lemon• Pinch saltMethod:Whip with pebble ice, serve over pebble iceGarnish: Split Pea, Lemon Wheel"

Will you be celebrating National Pina Colada Day? Share you photos with us by tagging #FoodSided.