Indulge in the ultimate tropical escape with this creamy, sweet Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie. Blending the luscious flavors of coconut, ripe pineapple, and vibrant strawberries, this refreshing beverage offers a delightful and fun twist on the beloved classic Piña Colada. Best of all, it’s completely non-alcoholic, making it perfect for all ages and any time of day!

Looking for more frozen drink inspiration? Try these other fantastic recipes: our copycat Jamba Juice Strawberry Wild, the exotic Caribbean Passion Smoothie, or the timeless Classic Piña Colada.

The Ultimate Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie: A Tropical Escape

There’s something truly special about recreating your favorite restaurant treats at home. For my family, Kneaders has always been a beloved breakfast destination, a place where their French toast, cinnamon rolls, and incredibly delicious smoothies have created countless cherished memories. I’ve successfully cracked the code for a homemade version of their famous French Toast, and today, I’m thrilled to share my absolute favorite smoothie from their menu: the Pink Piña Colada, reimagined as this incredible Strawberry Piña Colada.

This isn’t your typical health-nut smoothie, and honestly, I embrace it! With its rich, sweet, and creamy texture, it’s undeniably a decadent treat. But hey, it has plenty of fruit, so that has to count for something, right? On those days when a craving for a vibrant Strawberry Piña Colada strikes, but a trip out isn’t an option, this copycat recipe comes to the rescue. It captures the authentic taste of the original Kneaders’ drink, but at a fraction of the cost, and with the added satisfaction of making it yourself.

Beyond the taste, making your own tropical smoothies offers numerous advantages. You have complete control over the quality and freshness of ingredients, allowing you to select the ripest fruits and avoid any unwanted additives. It’s an economical choice, especially when feeding a crowd, turning a luxurious cafe indulgence into an everyday pleasure. Plus, the process of blending these vibrant ingredients is a joy in itself, transforming simple components into a delightful, frothy concoction. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a tropical haven!

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Strawberry Piña Colada

Crafting this irresistible Strawberry Piña Colada smoothie requires just a few essential ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving its signature flavor and texture. Let’s dive into what you’ll need and why each component is important:

• Pineapple-Orange Guava Juice: This specific juice blend is the secret to the unique tropical depth of flavor found in the Kneaders’ Pink Piña Colada. The orange and guava notes add a wonderful complexity that complements the pineapple perfectly. If this specific blend is hard to find, don’t worry! You can easily substitute it with a mix of half guava juice and half pineapple juice. Alternatively, using pure pineapple juice will still yield a delicious smoothie, though with a slightly less intricate flavor profile.
• Cream of Coconut: This ingredient is absolutely vital for achieving that rich, creamy texture and distinct coconut flavor that defines any great Piña Colada. Cream of coconut is a sweetened, thick syrup that’s often used in tropical cocktails and desserts. It’s important to note that cream of coconut is NOT the same as coconut cream or coconut milk. Coconut cream is the unsweetened, thick cream that separates from coconut milk, while coconut milk is thinner and also unsweetened. Cream of coconut is typically found in cans, often located near coconut cream, in the international aisles (Asian or Mexican sections) of your grocery store, or alongside cocktail mixers. Its sweetness and viscosity are irreplaceable for this recipe.
• Pineapple Sherbet: For an incredibly smooth, frosty, and wonderfully sweet base, pineapple sherbet is a fantastic choice. It contributes to the smoothie’s thick consistency and vibrant pineapple taste. For those who prefer a dairy-free option or have dietary restrictions, pineapple sorbet makes an excellent substitute, delivering the same fruity chill without the dairy. Both options ensure your smoothie is wonderfully icy and flavorful.
• Frozen Strawberries and Pineapple Chunks: The use of frozen fruit is key to creating a thick, ice-cold smoothie without over-diluting the flavors with too much added ice. Frozen strawberries impart a beautiful color and sweet-tart flavor, while frozen pineapple enhances the tropical base. Using pre-frozen fruit also helps in achieving that satisfyingly frosty, milkshake-like texture.
• Ice: While frozen fruit provides a good base, a small amount of ice helps to further chill the drink and contribute to its perfectly thick consistency. It ensures your smoothie is refreshingly cold from the first sip to the last.

Mastering Your Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie: Expert Tips

Making a truly exceptional Strawberry Piña Colada smoothie is simple, but a few key tips can elevate your homemade version from good to absolutely outstanding. Pay attention to these details for a consistently perfect blend every time:

• Precision in Measuring Ingredients: Smoothies, especially those aiming for a specific consistency and flavor balance, benefit greatly from accurate measurements. Guessing quantities, particularly for liquids and cream of coconut, can lead to a smoothie that’s either too thin, too sweet, or lacking in essential flavor. Use proper measuring cups and spoons to ensure you hit that sweet spot of creamy, fruity perfection.
• Pack Your Frozen Fruit: When measuring frozen fruit like strawberries and pineapple, make sure to pack them tightly into your measuring cup. This isn’t just about getting the right amount; it ensures you have enough frozen mass to create that desirable thick and cold smoothie texture. Loosely measured frozen fruit might result in a thinner, less satisfying drink.
• Invest in a Powerful Blender: A high-powered blender is your best friend for making thick, smooth, and chunk-free frozen drinks. Frozen fruit and ice are tough ingredients that require significant power to break down into a silky consistency. Weaker blenders might struggle, leaving you with icy chunks or requiring constant stirring, which can lead to a less enjoyable experience. If you don’t have a high-powered blender, you might need to blend in smaller batches, add liquids gradually, or stop and stir the mixture several times to ensure everything is fully incorporated. For best results, consider a strong blender.
• Blend Order Matters: While the instructions typically suggest adding liquids first, this helps the blades catch and pull down the frozen ingredients more effectively, resulting in a smoother blend.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This Strawberry Piña Colada smoothie is truly at its best when enjoyed immediately after preparation. The creamy, icy texture and vibrant flavors are most pronounced when fresh. I personally love to drink the entire batch in one sitting, savoring every last drop. Unfortunately, this particular smoothie does not sit or store well. Its delightful frozen consistency will melt and separate over time, losing its creamy appeal. For the optimal experience, plan to make and serve this delicious tropical treat fresh.

To enhance the presentation and make your smoothie feel even more like a special treat, consider garnishing it with a fresh strawberry slice, a small pineapple wedge, or even a mini paper umbrella. A sprinkle of shredded coconut on top also adds a lovely touch and extra tropical flavor.

Variations and Customizations

While this recipe is perfect as is, you can always experiment with different variations to suit your taste or dietary needs:

• Make it Alcoholic: For an adult version, add 1-2 ounces of white rum per serving after blending the non-alcoholic ingredients. Blend briefly again to combine.
• Extra Fruit Power: Feel free to add a handful of other frozen berries, like raspberries or blueberries, for a mixed berry twist. A banana can also add extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
• Boost the Protein: For a more substantial breakfast or post-workout drink, add a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder.
• Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with slightly less cream of coconut and add more to taste. If you like it sweeter, a drizzle of honey or agave can be added.
• Dairy-Free Delight: As mentioned, pineapple sorbet is an excellent dairy-free alternative to sherbet. Ensure all other ingredients are dairy-free for a completely vegan option.

More Delicious Strawberry Treats

If you’re a fan of fresh, sweet strawberries, you’re in for a treat with these other delightful recipes:

• Whip up some fluffy Strawberry Scones made with Greek yogurt for a healthy twist.
• Indulge in a beautiful and easy Strawberry Shortcake Trifle, complete with lemon cake bites.
• Enjoy a no-bake wonder with this Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie that’s incredibly simple to make.
• Cool down with homemade Strawberry Frozen Yogurt, perfect for your ice cream maker.
• Celebrate with a classic Strawberries and Cream Cake, topped with a luscious strawberry glaze.

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Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie

By

Chelsea Lords

This Strawberry Piña Colada smoothie is a creamy, tropical blend of coconut, pineapple, and strawberries—a fun, non-alcoholic twist on the classic!

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
10 minutes

Yields:
2 large smoothies

Equipment

• Blender (high-powered recommended)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pineapple-orange guava juice (see note 1 for substitutions)
• 1 cup pineapple sherbet (or pineapple sorbet for dairy-free)
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup cream of coconut (canned, see note 2 for details on cream of coconut)
• 1/2 cup ice (about 7 ice cubes)

Instructions

1. To accurately measure the frozen fruit, ensure you pack it tightly into your measuring cups. In a high-powered blender, combine all ingredients in the following order: pineapple-orange guava juice, pineapple sherbet, frozen strawberries, frozen pineapple chunks, cream of coconut, and finally, ice. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and no chunks of fruit or ice remain. If you are using a less powerful blender, you may need to pause and stir the ingredients a few times between blends to ensure even processing.
2. Once blended to a perfect, creamy consistency, divide the delicious Strawberry Piña Colada evenly between two large glasses. Serve and enjoy immediately. Remember, this drink is best consumed fresh as it does not store well and its texture can degrade if made ahead of time.

Recipe Notes

Note 1 (Juice Substitution): The pineapple-orange guava juice provides a unique flavor depth. If you cannot find this specific blend, an excellent alternative is to use half guava juice and half pineapple juice. Alternatively, pure pineapple juice can be used, though the flavor profile will be slightly simpler.

Note 2 (Cream of Coconut vs. Coconut Cream): It’s crucial to distinguish between cream of coconut and coconut cream or coconut milk. Cream of coconut is a sweetened, syrupy product essential for the Piña Colada’s signature taste and texture. Coconut cream, on the other hand, is unsweetened and much thicker, made from the fat of coconut milk. Coconut milk is a thinner, unsweetened liquid. You can often find canned cream of coconut near cocktail mixes, in the international food aisles (Asian or Mexican sections), or sometimes close to other coconut products. A store locator app on your phone might help pinpoint its exact location in your local grocery store.

Storage: This Strawberry Piña Colada smoothie is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. Its creamy, frozen texture does not hold up well to storage and is not recommended for making ahead of time.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal |
Carbohydrates: 64g |
Protein: 1g |
Fat: 8g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Cholesterol: 1mg |
Sodium: 59mg |
Potassium: 232mg |
Fiber: 4g |
Sugar: 55g |
Vitamin A: 62IU |
Vitamin C: 57mg |
Calcium: 53mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.