Piña colada cocktail recipe - Virgin option available

I like Piña colada and getting caught in the rain. Who doesn’t, well not quite the rain part but Piña colada's take me to a faraway place - a little taste of paradise in a glass. They remind me of summer trips, beaches and sunshine. With the bars and restaurants officially closed we have had to get created with our drinks at home. This recipe is quick and easy and tastes just as good as any cocktail club I’ve ever been to!

Mocktails and Cocktails

You will need a blender / food processor and two large cocktail glasses

Ingredients (The below ingredients serve two large cocktails so just double / triple the quantities depending on who many people you are entertaining (or how thirsty you are!)

· Frozen pineapple chunks – two cups full (you can also use fresh pineapple)

· Fresh Pineapple chunks for decorating

· 1 tin of coconut cream / coconut milk 400ml

· 1 lime

· Desiccated coconut or coconut shavings for decorating

· White Rum

· Optional: cherries – for decorating (I didnt have any cherries so I used red grapes instead for a splash of colour

· Optional: Coconut Sugar (A Large Spoonful)

· Optional: Fresh Pineapple juice

If you can get your hands on some paper straws or little umbrellas for decorating go all out. Failing that – cocktail sticks will do the trick

Method

· Put the coconut milk, pineapple chunks, (pineapple juice) and (Coconut sugar) (ice-cubes) into the blender and mix until smooth. When you are happy with the taste / consistency (adding coconut sugar or more pineapple chunks as necessary)

· Add the juice of one freshly squeezed lime and mix in the processor

· If you are having a Virgin Cocktail then at this point pour the mixture into a jug and leave to one side briefly

· If you are making a cocktail with alcohol - In a cocktail shaker add ice cubes and a measure of Rum (one pair serving) Now add half of the mixture to the cocktail shaker and shake

For Decorating:

· Rub the rim of the glasses with the lime juice and then dip them upside down into a bowl of the desiccated coconut to get the coconut on the rims

· Add ice to the glass and then pour the mixture in (with or without the alcohol) With your cocktail stick add the fresh chunks of pineapple and your cherry and set gently on the rim of the glass.

· If you have coconut shavings not is the time to sprinkle a few gently onto the top of the drink and voila – you have yourself a delicious Piña colada.

Enjoy xx

Tip: if you want the drink to be extra think then mix up the ice cubes int the food processor along with the mixture to get that creamy, smoothie texture

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