Frozen Malibu Piña Colada Recipe (Creamy Tropical Rum Drink!)

There’s just something about a Frozen Malibu Piña Colada that instantly feels like vacation—even if you’re just sipping it in your backyard after the kids go to bed. Creamy, tropical, icy, and perfectly sweet, this easy blended cocktail is everything you love about summer in one frosty glass. It’s got the signature coconut flavor of Malibu rum, a splash of sweet pineapple juice, a creamy swirl of coconut, and crushed ice blended until smooth and dreamy. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, and you’re basically at a resort.

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Let’s be honest—after a long day of chasing toddlers, cleaning up spills, or just trying to keep everyone fed and happy, this is exactly the kind of simple, breezy treat we deserve.

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What Is a Frozen Malibu Piña Colada?

A Frozen Malibu Piña Colada is a creamy, tropical rum cocktail made by blending Malibu coconut rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and crushed ice. It’s a twist on the classic piña colada, swapping in Malibu rum for a lighter, smoother, more coconut-forward flavor.

It’s:

• Frozen and slushy like a tropical smoothie
• Sweet and fruity from the pineapple
• Creamy and rich from the coconut
• And boozy in the most relaxing, beachy way

Perfect for sipping poolside, serving at BBQs, or winding down after a hot summer day. I made one recently after putting Cameron and Ariya to bed and finally had five minutes to myself—and it hit the spot like nothing else.

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When to Serve This Cocktail

• Pool days or beach getaways
• Girls’ night in – serve in cute glasses with umbrellas!
• Tropical-themed parties or BBQs
• Date night at home – because blended cocktails are underrated
• Vacation mode (aka: any Friday night)

Even if you’re not on an island, this drink brings the island to you.

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Why You’ll Love This Frozen Piña Colada

• Only 4 main ingredients – super easy to make
• Single-serve – perfect for when you just want one good drink
• Malibu adds smooth coconut flavor – no need for extra liqueurs
• Creamy + icy + refreshing – the perfect frozen cocktail texture
• Tastes like summer – all year round!

You can even prep everything ahead and blend when ready. And if your blender is loud like mine, maybe wait until the baby naps are over. Just speaking from experience.

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How to Make a Kid-Friendly or Non-Alcoholic Version

Want to share the tropical fun with the whole family? This frozen piña colada is super easy to make non-alcoholic—and just as delicious! My kids love having their own frosty version, and it’s the perfect summer treat that feels a little fancy without the booze.

Here’s how to do it:

Just leave out the rum!

Instead of Malibu, simply:

• Add a splash more pineapple juice, coconut milk, or coconut water
• Or use a zero-proof coconut rum alternative if you have one for that authentic flavor

Optional Add-ins for Creaminess:

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it extra fun for kids
• A bit of frozen banana gives it a smoothie-like texture
• You can even swirl in a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a creamy punch

Blend everything with crushed ice as usual and garnish with a cherry or umbrella. Ariya loves hers with extra pineapple and “her own special straw.”

It’s sweet, tropical, and refreshing—without any alcohol—so everyone can enjoy a sip of paradise!

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Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make your frozen piña colada bliss come true:

Cocktail Ingredients:

• 2 ½ oz Malibu rum – adds smooth, coconut-forward flavor with lower alcohol content than traditional rum
• 2 oz pineapple juice – brings sweet-tart tropical flavor
• 2 oz cream of coconut – for that creamy texture and sweet coconut richness
• 1 cup crushed ice – gives that frozen slushy consistency

Garnishes:

• Pineapple wedges
• Maraschino cherries

Optional: Add a tiny splash of lime juice if you want to brighten it up!

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Variations to Try

Want to mix it up? These ideas all taste amazing:

• Strawberry Malibu Piña Colada – Add a handful of frozen strawberries before blending
• Frozen Piña Colada Float – Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Virgin Piña Colada – Skip the rum and add a splash more juice and coconut
• Stronger version – Add a floater of dark rum on top (like a bar would)
• Frozen Mango Coconut Daiquiri – Swap pineapple juice for mango nectar

This is the kind of recipe that can evolve with whatever fruit or juice you’ve got on hand. James prefers it as written, but I’ll admit I like a splash of lime or mango when I’m feeling fancy.

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Troubleshooting Tips

Too thick to blend?
Add a splash more pineapple juice or a tiny bit of water until it blends easily.

Too runny?
Add more ice or chill your pineapple juice beforehand.

Too sweet?
Use unsweetened pineapple juice or squeeze in some lime juice to balance it.

No crushed ice?
Use small ice cubes, but pulse the blender to avoid burning the motor.

No blender?
Use a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously (the texture won’t be slushy, but the flavor will still be amazing).

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Storage and Serving Tips

Serving:

• Pour into a chilled cocktail glass or hurricane glass
• Garnish with fresh pineapple and a cherry
• Add a paper umbrella or reusable straw for flair
• Serve immediately—these are best cold and fresh

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Storage:

• Don’t store blended drinks long-term—the ice will melt and separate
• If needed, store in the freezer for up to 1 hour and blend again briefly before serving
• You can pre-measure and refrigerate the rum, juice, and cream of coconut in advance

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Make-Ahead & Batch Tips

Hosting a party? Here’s how to scale it up:

• Multiply the recipe by the number of servings you need
• Blend in batches to avoid overloading the blender
• Pre-freeze the blended mix in cups or mason jars for a grab-and-sip cocktail bar
• Serve with a DIY garnish tray—pineapple wedges, cherries, cocktail umbrellas

Your guests will love it—and you won’t be stuck blending during the whole event.

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What Makes This Piña Colada Different?

Classic piña coladas often use white rum and a heavier cream of coconut base. This version is lighter, creamier, and coconut-forward thanks to Malibu rum. It’s also smaller-batch and simpler, which makes it perfect for a personal treat.

Think of it as the breezy, laid-back cousin of the original. Still indulgent, but way easier to make—and you don’t need a bar full of ingredients.

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What I Learned Making This Drink

After a few test runs (purely for research, of course!), here are a few things that made a big difference:

• Crushed ice works best – it blends smoother and faster
• Cream of coconut ≠ coconut milk – don’t swap them, it won’t be the same
• Blend longer than you think – a full 30–40 seconds makes it velvety
• Chill your glass – it makes the drink extra refreshing
• Go light on garnishes for kids – Ariya just wanted the cherry anyway

It’s become a go-to for my “mom break” nights. Quick, easy, and tropical without leaving the kitchen.

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Leftover Ideas (If That Ever Happens…)

Okay, you probably won’t have leftovers, but if you do:

• Freeze into popsicle molds – boozy frozen piña colada pops
• Pour into ice cube trays – use in future cocktails
• Turn into a piña colada smoothie – blend with banana and Greek yogurt
• Blend with extra frozen fruit – make it into a tropical slush

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Why This Drink Is a Summer Must-Try

This drink has everything:

• It’s cooling and refreshing
• Visually stunning with just a few garnishes
• Ultra creamy and sweet without being overpowering
• Customizable to suit your taste (or what’s in your fridge)

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, planning a girls’ night in, or just looking for a peaceful moment after the chaos of the day—this Frozen Malibu Piña Colada delivers every time.

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Detailed FAQ

Can I make this without Malibu?
Yes! Use white rum + a splash of coconut extract or coconut milk, though the flavor won’t be as smooth.

Is cream of coconut the same as coconut cream?
Nope! Cream of coconut is sweet and syrupy (like Coco Lopez). Coconut cream is unsweetened and much thicker.

What if I don’t like it too sweet?
Use unsweetened pineapple juice and a touch of lime to brighten it up.

Can I make this a mocktail?
Absolutely—just skip the rum and add a bit more pineapple juice or coconut water.

What’s the best blender for frozen cocktails?
Any high-speed blender will work. If yours struggles with ice, try smaller batches and crushed ice instead of cubes.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes! It scales perfectly. Just blend in batches to avoid overwhelming your blender.

How do I make this even creamier?
Add a little splash of half & half or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-style twist.

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How to Make Frozen Malibu Piña Coladas for a Crowd

Hosting a backyard party, beach day, or summer cookout? This Frozen Malibu Piña Colada is super easy to scale up for a group. With just a few adjustments, you can serve an entire pitcher of these creamy, tropical cocktails in no time.

Here’s how to do it:

Multiply the Base Recipe:
This recipe makes 1 drink, so simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. For example:

• 10 drinks =
  • 25 oz Malibu rum
  • 20 oz pineapple juice
  • 20 oz cream of coconut
  • 5 to 6 cups of crushed ice (adjust based on blender size and consistency)

Batch Blending Tips:

• Use a high-capacity blender or work in smaller batches to avoid overfilling
• Chill your ingredients ahead of time so the ice doesn’t melt too quickly
• Blend each batch just before serving for best texture
• Pour into a large pitcher or insulated drink dispenser to keep it cold

Party Serving Ideas:

• Garnish glasses assembly-line style with pineapple and cherries
• Create a self-serve station with a tray of chilled glasses and cocktail umbrellas
• Freeze blended portions in individual mason jars for easy grab-and-go cocktails
• Add a bowl of extra crushed ice on the side so guests can adjust texture

These piña coladas are always a crowd favorite, and making them in a batch means more time enjoying the party and less time blending. Every time I’ve served these at a gathering, they’re gone before the food hits the table—people love them.

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Final Thoughts

This Frozen Malibu Piña Colada is the kind of drink that instantly transports you to a beach chair with the sun on your face—even if you’re just in your backyard hiding from laundry. It’s creamy, cool, sweet, and so easy, you’ll want to make it on repeat all summer long.

And let’s be real—when the kids finally go down for the night and you’re reclaiming just a little bit of you time, this tropical drink makes it feel like a mini vacation in a glass.

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• Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
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• Touchdown Iced Tea
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