Pina Colada Recipe Malibu
OMG u guys need to try this pina colada recipe malibu version asap!! Seriously it’s been my go-to drink all summer. The combo of coconut, pineapple and rum is just chef’s kiss and reminds me of that beach trip to Mexico last yr.
Tried making pina coladas before but they never turned out right – either too watery or too sweet. This ones different tho. It’s got that perfect creamy texture without being heavy. Keep reading cuz I’m sharing all my secrets for the best malibu pina colada ever!

Why This Pina Colada Recipe Malibu Rum Is Gonna Be Ur New Fave
Honestly making cocktails at home used to intimidate me. Like who has time for all that measuring and fancy equipment right?? But then my friend showed me how to make this pina colada drink recipe and it’s sooo easy.
Last month we had a small get-together in my backyard and I made a batch of these. My brother-in-law who’s super picky about his drinks couldn’t believe I made them! He kept saying they were better than the ones at that fancy resort they stayed at.
The best thing about this recipe is u can customize it. Want it stronger? Add more pina colada alcohol. Want it fruitier? Add extra pineapple. It’s basically foolproof.

What U Need For This Amazing Malibu Pina Colada
Here’s everything for making the best pina colada recipe malibu style:
- Malibu coconut rum (4 oz) – this is basically THE most important part duh
- Fresh pineapple chunks (1 cup) – frozen works too but fresh is sooo much better
- Cream of coconut (3 oz) – not coconut milk! Not coconut cream! Look for Coco Lopez brand
- Ice cubes (1.5 cups) – more or less depending how thick u want it
- Pineapple wedges + cherries – for garnish if ur feeling fancy
- Tiny umbrellas – totally optional but makes it feel like ur on vacation lol
Real Talk About Ingredients
The pineapple makes a huge difference guys. Like if u can get a fresh one and cut it urself do it!! But if ur in a hurry the frozen chunks work pretty good too. Just don’t use canned in syrup cuz it’s way too sweet.
Cream of coconut is NOT THE SAME as coconut milk or coconut cream!!! This is super important for how to make piña colada properly. Cream of coconut is sweet and thick. Usually comes in a can with a pic of a palm tree. If u use the wrong thing ur drink will be all wrong.
For the rum – Malibu is my fave for this pina colada recipe malibu rum version cuz it already has coconut flavor. Makes the whole thing taste better and u don’t need to add extra coconut stuff.
How to Make Piña Colada With Malibu – So Easy!!
K so here’s how u make the perfect pina colada:
- Get everything ready – Cut pineapple if using fresh. Measure all ur ingredients. This makes it way faster.
- Fill blender – Add ice first, then pineapple chunks, cream of coconut, and malibu rum.
- Blend it up – Start slow then increase speed. Ur looking for a slushy texture with no big ice chunks. Takes like 30 seconds maybe?
- Check it – Dip a spoon in and taste. Too thick? Add a splash of pineapple juice. Not sweet enough? Add a bit more cream of coconut. Too sweet? Add a squeeze of lime.
- Serve immediately – Pour into glasses. Add pineapple slice and cherry on top if ur trying to impress someone lol.
HOT TIP: if ur blender struggles with ice, do it in smaller batches! Nothing worse than a half-blended pina colada.

Different Ways To Make This Pina Colada Recipe Malibu Style
Wanna mix it up? Try these twists on the classic:
Spicy Pina Colada
Add a thin slice of jalapeno before blending. Sounds weird but the spicy-sweet combo is AMAZING.
Mango Malibu Pina Colada
Swap half the pineapple for fresh mango chunks. Tropical flavor explosion!
Skinny Pina Colada
Use lite cream of coconut and add a splash of coconut water instead of extra rum. Still yummy but fewer cals.
Frozen Pina Colada Popsicles
Pour leftover drink mix into popsicle molds. Best. Treat. Ever.
Morning Pina Colada Smoothie
Skip the rum and add a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Breakfast that tastes like dessert!

Pina Colada Recipe Malibu
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring cups
- Spoon
- Glasses for serving
Ingredients
- 4 oz Malibu coconut rum
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks or frozen
- 3 oz cream of coconut like Coco Lopez
- 1.5 cups ice cubes adjust to desired texture
- Pineapple wedges for garnish
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
- Mini umbrellas optional
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: cut fresh pineapple if using, and measure out everything.
- In a blender, add ice cubes, pineapple chunks, cream of coconut, and Malibu rum.
- Blend on low, then increase speed until the texture is smooth and slushy (about 30 seconds).
- Taste test: adjust thickness with pineapple juice, sweetness with more cream of coconut, or add lime for balance.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with a pineapple wedge, cherry, and umbrella if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the tropical vibes!
Notes
Nutrition
Questions People Ask About Pina Colada Recipe Malibu
How to make Piña Colada from Malibu?
Super easy! Just throw 4 oz Malibu rum, 1 cup pineapple chunks, 3 oz cream of coconut, and 1.5 cups ice in a blender. Blend till smooth. Pour. Drink. Be happy. The malibu already has coconut flavor which is why this pina colada recipe malibu version is so simple.
Is Malibu rum good for Piña Colada?
100% YES!! Malibu is actually perfect for making pina coladas cuz it’s already coconut flavored. Some recipes call for white rum but tbh the malibu pina colada tastes more tropical. Plus it makes the recipe easier cuz u don’t need to add as much coconut stuff.
Is coconut milk or coconut cream better for Piña Colada?
Neither!! The secret to a legit pina colada recipe malibu style is CREAM OF COCONUT. It’s different from both coconut milk and coconut cream. Cream of coconut is sweetened and has a thicker consistency. Coconut milk will make ur drink too thin and coconut cream isn’t sweet enough.
How do you make a creamy Piña Colada?
The trick to a super creamy pina colada is:
- Using cream of coconut (not coconut milk!)
- Not adding too much ice
- Blending just enough but not too long
- Using frozen pineapple chunks instead of some of the ice Some ppl add a splash of heavy cream too but I think that’s overkill.
Is coconut milk the same as coconut cream?
Nope they’re totally different! And neither one is cream of coconut which is what u actually need for this pina colada with malibu rum. Coconut milk is thin like regular milk. Coconut cream is thicker but unsweetened. Cream of coconut is thick AND sweetened – it’s made specifically for cocktails.
Pro Tips For The Best Pina Colada Drink Recipe
- Chill EVERYTHING beforehand – even the rum and cream of coconut
- Use frozen pineapple for some of the ice for more flavor
- Blend in bursts so u don’t over-blend and melt all the ice
- Add a tiny pinch of salt sounds crazy but it makes the flavors pop
- Squeeze fresh lime over the top right before drinking
If ur blender isn’t very powerful, crush the ice separately first. Nothing worse than chunky ice in ur smooth drink!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Heading to a party? U can pre-mix everything except ice and store in a container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Then just add to blender with ice when ready.
Tbh these are best fresh but if u have leftovers (how??), store in fridge for up to 24 hrs. It’ll separate but just give it a good shake or reblend with a bit more ice.
Other Amazing Drinks U Might Like
If u love this pina colada recipe malibu version, check out these other awesome drinks:
- DETOX ISLAND GREEN SMOOTHIE – for when u need to balance out all those pina coladas lol
- BLUE TONIC FOR WEIGHT LOSS – refreshing and pretty
- DETOX GREEN JUICE – morning after detox vibes
- HEALTHY COLD FOAM – coffee game changer
- RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT JUICE – perfect breakfast drink
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND CRANBERRY JUICE – sounds weird tastes amazing
- ICED MATCHA LATTES – my daily caffeine fix
- ORANGE CREAM SODA – tastes like childhood summers
- MALIBU PINEAPPLE – simpler cousin of the pina colada
One Last Thing About This Pina Colada Recipe Malibu Version
So last weekend my mom came over and I made her this pina colada. She’s not usually big on mixed drinks (more of a wine person) but she took one sip and was like “oooh this is dangerous” lol. Ended up drinking two!
That’s the magic of a really good pina colada recipe malibu style – it tastes like vacation in a glass. Even when ur just sitting on the couch in ur pjs. Something about that combo of tropical pineapple and coconut with the rum just hits different.
Whether ur making these for a party or just treating urself after a long day, this recipe is guaranteed to bring the vacation vibes. Umbrella optional but highly recommended!