Healthy Pina Colada Smoothie Recipe

Name: Healthy Pina Colada Smoothie Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 3 cups frozen pineapple chunks; 2 cups coconut milk (, the more fat it has the creamier it will be); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (, optional for added flavor); 2-3 ounces rum (, optional for boozy twist (use any kind you prefer or a mix))

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This pina colada smoothie is the perfect poolside treat for all ages. It's made with simple whole food ingredients and it's dairy free!

Two pina colada smoothies with whipped cream and a pineapple slice

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

This post was originally published on July 23, 2017.

I love me a good cocktail, especially one that reminds me of summer! But first thing in the morning, when my craving hits, I figure it's probably a better choice to turn to a healthier version of my favorite beachy treat.

Piña coladas are one of our favorite vacation drinks (hence these Piña Colada Popsicles). While I can usually only have one, since they are so rich and sweet, I savor every sip. So I decided I needed to make a less sweet, more healthy version!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this piña colada smoothie are:

Frozen pineapple chunks
Coconut milk
Fresh lime juice
Almond extract

A pineapple next to 2 limes on a blue kitchen napkin

Different colored bowls with ingredients inside for making a pina colada smoothie on a wooden table

When it comes to the coconut milk, the more fat the milk, the creamier your end result will be. So if you want an uber creamy smoothie, use full fat coconut milk from a can. If you want something lighter and refreshing use regular coconut milk.

There are many coconut milk type products out there. While they all sound similar, they are actually very different. Here are the main explanations of each:

Cream of coconut: This is a condensed version of coconut cream that has added sugar to it. It's kind of like condensed milk but with coconut milk. This is used when you want a rich flavor added to things like cocktails, ice cream, desserts, etc
Coconut cream: This is the top fatty layer in a can of full fat coconut milk. If you put the can in the fridge or freezer, the fatty layer rises to the top and thickens. You can scoop it out to get coconut cream. I use it in many recipes like my vegan whipped cream, vegan chocolate frosting, vegan cream cheese frosting, strawberry cheesecake smoothie, hot chocolate oat smoothie, chocolate cannoli, and many more.
Coconut milk: This is simply the liquid form of the milk you get by mixing coconut and water in a blender and straining it much like you do to make almond or cashew milk.

Many brands make all of these types of coconut ingredients. Silk brand is one example of a store bought coconut milk you can use in place of your regular dairy milk.

If you are looking for a nut free milk option, Silk Unsweetened Coconut milk, is a good creamy, sugar free choice.

How to Make a Piña Colada Smoothie

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!

Flavor and serving suggestions

This simple recipe can be made even more amazing with the following tips and tricks:

You want to make sure to serve this right away to keep it from melting. Once it starts to melt it won't be as thick and frothy.
Serve in a frosted glass or with coconut milk ice cubes to keep it colder longer.
Make it boozy for the grownups! Simply sub 2-3 ounces of of coconut milk with your favorite rum. Light and dark are typical but use the combination that you prefer!
Top with some Vegan Whipped Cream or dairy free ice cream.
Switch up the flavors a bit. Subbing some of the frozen pineapple for other frozen fruit or frozen veggies is easy. Just make sure to keep the total amount the same so you get the right texture.
Add some greens like spinach to up the nutritional value, it will change the color but not the taste!
If you don't have frozen pineapple, make ice cubes out of your coconut milk, and use pineapple juice to get a similar consistency.

Three different glass jars filled with different colored fruit smoothies

Common Questions

Is a piña colada healthy?

Traditionally, a piña colada is made with cream and sugar filled ingredients mixed with alcohol. While I wouldn't consider them super nutritious, I do think having one is healthy for the mind and soul! This smoothie recipe gives a healthy twist on the classic flavors.

What alcohol goes in a piña colada?

Usually, a combination of light and dark rum is the center of a piña colada. I have seen versions adding things like a shot of grand marnier on the side.

How do you make a piña colada from scratch?

There are a few different ways to make piña coladas. Most include blending together some form of coconut, pineapple, and rum into a frozen beverage. This recipe uses frozen pineapple and coconut milk.

Can I use coconut milk instead of coconut cream for piña coladas?

You can, although the fattier the milk the creamier your texture will be.

More Vegan Smoothie Recipes

Whether it's for a healthy breakfast, a refreshing lunch, or a healthy dessert, smoothies are the way to go! Check out these other plant based recipes: