Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Recipe

Bahama Breeze restaurant has become famous for its tropical drinks that make you feel like you’re on a beach somewhere warm and sunny.

Their signature piña colada became one of the most loved items on the menu. People keep coming back just for this creamy, tropical drink.

The blend of sweet coconut and tangy pineapple creates something truly special. Each sip feels smooth and refreshing. Picture creamy coconut milk meeting fresh pineapple juice with a nice rum warmth.

The texture is thick and frosty, almost like a milkshake but lighter. The sweetness is balanced perfectly with the fruit’s natural tang.

Today I am sharing this copycat Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Recipe so you can make it at home anytime you want.

What is a Piña Colada?

The name “Piña Colada” comes from Spanish: “piña” means pineapple, and “colada” means strained—so it literally translates to “strained pineapple.”

This tropical cocktail was born in Puerto Rico in the 1950s. A bartender named Ramón “Monchito” Marrero created it at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, combining pineapple, coconut cream, and rum into the creamy, refreshing drink we know today.

The Secret to Bahama Breeze’s Signature Piña Colada

The secret lies in a few important choices. First, they use the right kind of coconut product. Many places use coconut milk, but that’s too thin.

Second, they blend in frozen pineapple chunks instead of just juice. This keeps the drink cold and thick without adding extra water from melting ice.

Third, the ratio matters. They balance the rum, juice, and coconut perfectly so no single flavor takes over.

The result is a smooth, creamy drink that tastes tropical without being too sweet or too heavy.

Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Ingredients

• 8 ounces of Rum: I usually go with coconut rum if I want an extra coconutty flavor. Light rum works fine too. Rum is the main kick that balances the sweetness.
• 4 ounces of Pineapple Juice: Fresh pineapple juice gives a tangy, fruity base. It keeps the drink bright and tropical.
• 4 ounces of Cream of Coconut: Not coconut milk or coconut cream! Cream of coconut is sweet, thick, and syrupy. It’s what makes the drink rich and creamy.
• 1 cup Frozen Pineapple: Frozen pineapple keeps your drink icy without watering it down. It also adds natural sweetness.
• 4-5 cups of Ice: Ice is essential for frosty consistency. Start with four cups and adjust depending on how thick you want your drink.

Must-Have Kitchen Appliances

1. Blender – Creates smooth, creamy texture
2. Measuring Cups – Ensures proper proportions
3. Measuring Spoons – For accurate measurements
4. Knife – Cuts garnish pieces cleanly
5. Cutting Board – Safe surface for cutting
6. Glasses – Serves the finished cocktail
7. Cocktail Stirrer (Optional) – Mixes and decorates

How To Make Bahama Breeze Pina Colada

Step 1 | Measure the Rum

Start with 8 ounces of rum. I like to use coconut rum for that extra flavor, but light rum works too. Pour it straight into the blender.

Step 2 | Add Pineapple Juice

Measure 4 ounces of fresh or store-bought pineapple juice and add it to the blender. This gives your drink that fruity, tropical base.

Step 3 | Cream of Coconut

Next, measure 4 ounces of cream of coconut. Be careful not to confuse this with coconut milk. Cream of coconut is sweet, thick, and syrupy, which makes your drink creamy.

Step 4 | Frozen Pineapple

Add 1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks. This keeps your drink icy and smooth without watering it down.

Step 5 | Add Ice

Top it off with 4-5 cups of ice. If you want a thicker drink, use more ice.

Step 6 | Blend

Start your blender on low, then gradually increase to high until smooth. You want a creamy, frosty consistency with no ice chunks.

Step 7 | Serve

Pour into glasses and garnish with a pineapple wedge, cherry, or even a little pineapple leaf if you want to feel fancy.

Chef Tips + Notes

Here are some extra tips to make your drink even better.

• Chill Your Glasses: Put your glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before you make the drink. This keeps your pina colada cold for a longer time.
• Sweeten It Up: If you like a sweeter drink, you can add a teaspoon of simple syrup or sugar. Taste it first, as the cream of coconut is already very sweet.
• For a Creamier Texture: Use one cup of ice and one cup of frozen pineapple. This makes the drink extra thick and rich.
• Prevent Blender Stuck: If your blender has trouble with the frozen fruit, pulse it a few times first. This breaks up the big chunks before you blend on high speed.

How to Serve This Pina Colada

Bahama Breeze restaurant serves this drink in tall, clear glasses so you can see the beautiful creamy yellow color.

They add a pineapple wedge to the rim and drop in a bright red cherry. Sometimes they add a colorful paper umbrella or a straw. The presentation makes you feel tropical.

At home, use your nicest tall glasses. Hurricane glasses work perfectly. Add your garnishes right before serving.

You can rim the glass with coconut flakes by dipping the rim in simple syrup first, then in shredded coconut. Serve with a thick straw because it’s a thick drink.

This is perfect for pool parties, barbecues, or just relaxing after work. Serve it right after blending for the best texture and temperature.

How to Store Leftovers

Piña coladas taste best when fresh, but you can save leftovers. Pour any remaining drink into an airtight container.

Store it in the freezer, not the refrigerator. The freezer keeps the texture thick and stops separation. Leftover piña colada will keep for up to one week.

The mixture will freeze solid, almost like ice cream. When ready to drink again, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then blend again briefly to restore smoothness.

Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Recipe FAQs

1. What is the difference between cream of coconut and coconut milk?

Cream of coconut is thick, sweet, and syrupy, perfect for creamy drinks. Coconut milk is thinner and less sweet. Using milk will make the drink less rich and change the texture.

2. How can I make it thicker?

Add more ice or frozen pineapple. A few extra chunks of frozen fruit will increase thickness and keep it icy.

3. My drink is too thin. How can I fix it?

This means you need more ice or more frozen fruit. Pour your thin drink back into the blender. Add another half-cup of ice or frozen pineapple. Blend it again until it becomes thick and smooth.

4. Why did my drink separate in the blender?

Sometimes, if the cream of coconut is very cold and thick, it can separate. Just make sure you blend everything on a high speed for long enough. A good, powerful blender will mix it all together smoothly.

5. How can I make this drink ahead for a party?

You can mix all the liquid ingredients together and keep them in a pitcher in the fridge. When your guests arrive, add the frozen pineapple and ice to the blender with the pre-mixed liquids. Then blend.

6. How do I make it less sweet?

Use less cream of coconut or add a bit more pineapple juice to cut the sweetness. You can also squeeze in a few drops of lime juice to balance the flavor.

7. Why is my drink too watery?

This happens when there’s not enough ice or frozen pineapple. Add more ice and blend again. Make sure you’re using frozen pineapple, not fresh.

Also check that your cream of coconut is thick and not watered down. The right ratio of solid to liquid ingredients creates perfect thickness.

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Yield: 3

Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Recipe

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Make this Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Recipe in just 15 minutes. Creamy coconut, fresh pineapple, and rum for a tropical, refreshing drink.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Rum – Coconut rum preferred; light rum works too.
• 4 ounces Pineapple Juice – Fresh or store-bought for tangy sweetness.
• 4 ounces Cream of Coconut – Thick, sweet, and syrupy. Avoid coconut milk.
• 1 cup Frozen Pineapple – Keeps drink icy and sweet.
• 4-5 cups Ice – Adjust for desired thickness.

Instructions

1. Pour 8 ounces of rum into the blender. Coconut rum gives a tropical kick; light rum works too.
2. Add 4 ounces of pineapple juice for a fruity base.
3. Add 4 ounces of cream of coconut. Thick and sweet, it makes the drink creamy.
4. Add 1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks. Keeps the drink icy without watering down.
5. Add 4-5 cups of ice. More ice gives thicker texture.
6. Blend on low first, then high until smooth. No ice chunks. Creamy and frosty.
7. Pour into glasses. Garnish with pineapple wedge, cherry, or small pineapple leaf.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 30gProtein: 1g

This Bahama Breeze Pina Colada Recipe gives you that same great taste you get at the restaurant. You can make it at home anytime you want something cold and tropical.

The recipe is simple to follow. Just measure everything carefully and blend until smooth.