You don’t (necessarily) have to get caught in the rain to enjoy a piña Colada. The coconut and pineapple-infused tropical drink hails from the beautiful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has become something of a staple in sunny locales the world over. There are plenty of virgin piña colada recipes throughout the world, and one can easily enjoy either a traditional alcoholic version of the drink, or a virgin piña colada pretty easily. While non-alcoholic piña coladas have previously lacked the flavors of the original, we’d like to offer an alcohol-free piña colada recipe that’ll knock your socks (and sandals) off!
In this article, we’ll break down some thoughts about piña coladas, how to make a virgin piña colada, some reasons why someone might prefer their piña colada virgin, and some great times and places to enjoy a non-alcoholic piña colada!
Does a piña colada have alcohol?
Let’s start by breaking down some common misconceptions about virgin piña coladas. Because this drink is so popular in vacation hotspots, many bars and restaurants offer virgin piña coladas. This is done for a number of reasons; for starters, it helps keep people from drinking too much in the sun which can be a major health risk, but it is also done in part to keep people from getting intoxicated in family environments (especially in locations where small children are often present). To be clear, piña coladas absolutely are and can be made with alcohol, specifically rum. Fortunately, for those who might prefer a non-alcoholic option, there are plenty of great ways to make a piña colada virgin.
start of recipeHow to make a virgin piña colada
We’ve all had a “virgin” piña Colada at one point in our lives – often overly sweet and watered down after a couple sips. But this isn’t your typical non-alcoholic beach beverage. Our Rum Alternative gives it a base of caramel and toasted spice that stands up to the sweetness of pineapple and coconut. The piña Colada gets a bad rap for a reason, but this version is sure to win back some old fans.
2 oz. Ritual Rum Alternative
1 1/2 oz. cream of coconut
1 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. lime juice
Garnish: pineapple wedge & leafAdd Ritual Rum Alternative, cream of coconut and pineapple and lime juices to a blender with ice. Pour into a chilled Hurricane glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and pineapple leaf. Just because you’re making your piña colada non-alcoholic doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor either; our Ritual Rum Alternative is packed with flavors like warm vanilla, toasted spice, and decedent rum aromas. The beauty of our product though is that it’s made without the alcohol or calories regular rums have, meaning you can enjoy your favorite flavors without the consequence!
For those who would prefer to either enjoy a virgin mocktail or a weaker version of a cocktail, Ritual Zero Proof makes premium non-alcoholic spirits for your favorite kinds of rum, tequila, whiskey, and gin. This means you can make virgin versions of drinks like an alcohol-free piña colada and many more without the harmful calories or alcohol! Of course, our spirit replacements mix perfectly with regular versions of spirits, so you can mix in a Ritual product with a regular spirit to make a weaker (and less harmful) cocktail.
Why drink a non-alcoholic piña colada?
There are plenty of great reasons why someone might prefer to try a virgin piña colada recipe. For starters, those of our wonderful customers who prioritize health and wellness might not want to miss a workout because they’re stuck in bed hungover. Additionally, our premium spirit replacements are intentionally made to contain minimal (to zero) amounts of calories, which can quickly add up during a night of drinking.
Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant and can inhibit your decision-making process during a night out on the town. By choosing weaker (or virgin) drinks, you’re significantly less likely to make a decision you might regret in the morning. By drinking a virgin piña colada, you don’t need to worry about how to get home, as you never became intoxicated to begin with! Our virgin piña colada recipe has other benefits as well; if you don’t become intoxicated, you’re less likely to eat or drink foods or beverages you shouldn’t, which means fewer calories.
A virgin piña colada recipe can also be a great entry point for those who haven’t made cocktails before. For those wondering how to make a piña colada virgin, you only need a few ingredients and some commitment to making a delicious vacation beverage.
There are plenty of people who might only be able to enjoy their piña coladas virgin. Many choose not to drink for personal, ethical, or moral reasons. Others may abstain because of a family history with alcohol. In situations like these, it’s great to have a recipe on hand for those who ask, “does this piña colada have alcohol?”
And for those who don’t mind a little booze? You can mix in regular rum with our Rum Alternative to make a weaker piña colada that will still give you a buzz, but will help you keep things in check.
Ideal settings for a virgin piña colada
Let’s break down some of the best times and places for a virgin piña colada recipe. For starters, if you’re in a tropical paradise, few things pair better with your cheeseburger than an ice-cold virgin piña colada. Listen to the sounds of the ocean and beachgoers pass you by as you sip on an alcohol-free piña colada.
Missing the beach? In the middle of cold, dark winter, trying a piña colada recipe virgin can be a great way to break up the bleak midwinter months. Mix up some tropical flavors to remind yourself that warm weather and better times are just a few weeks away!
And for those in the middle of summer but nowhere near a beach? If you’ve been lying out by the pool all day, a chilled virgin piña colada can help you transition from day to night, and all the activities you have planned when the sun goes down.
