If you love piña coladas, you'll love this piña colada milkshake. You get all the flavor of a pina colada with the decadence of vegan coconut ice cream, resulting in a thick, indulgent drink.
It's a vegan-friendly, super simple, refreshing treat perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. With just four ingredients, you can whip up this shake quickly, making it an easy go-to treat for kids and adults.
This version does not include rum, but you can always add a splash for the adults in the room.
If you want to try more coconut flavor recipes, try Chickpea Coconut Curry Soup and Easy Vegan Mushroom and Leek Pasta.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Tropical Flavor: The combination of coconut and pineapple brings a refreshing and exotic taste that's perfect for any time, especially during those warm summer months.
- Vegan-Friendly: Made with plant-based ingredients, this milkshake is dairy-free, making it suitable for vegans and those with lactose intolerance.
- Quick and Easy: You can whip up this delightful treat in minutes, perfect for a quick indulgence.
- Creamy and Delicious: The coconut milk ice cream provides a rich and creamy texture, making this milkshake irresistibly smooth.
- Versatile: Enjoy it as a dessert, a midday treat, or a fun drink to serve at gatherings and parties.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need four ingredients to make this delicious piña colada with ice cream. See the recipe card for measurements.
Ingredient Notes
Pineapple Chunks: You have two options here. You can use a can of pineapple chunks or frozen pineapple for a thicker, colder milkshake. If you use pineapple chunks from a can or fresh, you can freeze them or add ice to the blender. This may result in ice chunks, though, if not blended well.
Ice Cream: I like to get vanilla ice cream made with coconut milk for a slight coconut taste. If it's not available, any vanilla vegan ice cream will work.
Coconut Milk: Use full-fat coconut milk or cream from a can for an extra creamy texture. Shake the can well before opening to mix the cream and milk together.
How To Make a Pina Colada Milkshake
It's all about the blend.
Combine all the ingredients in a blender, food processor, or large bullet until smooth.
Recipe Tips
- Adjust: For a thicker shake, add less coconut milk. For a thinner shake, add more.
- Blend Thoroughly: Make sure to blend the ingredients until completely smooth to avoid chunks of pineapple. A high-speed blender works best for this, but you might need to keep a tamper handy to push down the frozen ice cream so it blends well. Don't over-mix because you don't want the ice cream to warm up.
- Serve Immediately: This milkshake is best enjoyed right after blending. It may lose its thick texture if it sits too long - but it will still be delicious.
Add a Splash of Rum: For an adult version, add a splash of white or gold rum to the blender for a boozy twist on the classic piña colada.
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish: For a fun presentation, garnish with pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, a sprinkle of shredded coconut, and coco whip. You can even add a tiny umbrella for a tropical touch!
- Cool Presentation: Serve in tall shake glasses or fun tiki mugs to enhance the tropical vibe. Add a colorful straw or a mini paper umbrella for a festive touch.
- Pair with Snacks: Enjoy your milkshake with a side of coconut macaroons, fresh fruit slices, or a handful of roasted nuts for a light and satisfying snack.
- Dessert Delight: Pair your vegan milkshake with a light dessert like a fruit sorbet or a tropical fruit salad for a refreshing finish to your meal.
Storage
Store any leftover shake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day. But let's be real, it's best enjoyed fresh! Storing it can make it lose that dreamy thickness we all love.
Additions and Variations
- Protein Boost: Add a scoop of vanilla or unflavored vegan protein powder for a protein boost.
- Seeds and Nuts: Sprinkle in some chia seeds, flaxseeds, or a handful of almonds for added texture and nutrition.
FAQS
Yes, you can make the milkshake ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 day and it will be delicious, but it will lose its thickness. For longer storage, pour the milkshake into a freezer-friendly container and freeze - freeze large batches in separate containers. When you're ready to enjoy, blend the frozen drink until smooth.
If you don't have coconut milk ice cream, you can use any vegan vanilla ice cream or even frozen bananas for a creamy texture. The coconut flavor might be less pronounced, but it will still be delicious.
Absolutely! Add a splash of rum, coconut rum, or your favorite liqueur to the blender for an adult version. This variation makes for a perfect party treat.
To reduce the sugar content, omit the maple syrup or agave nectar, as the pineapple and banana provide natural sweetness.
Yes, fresh pineapple works great! However, you may need to add some ice cubes to achieve the desired frosty texture that frozen pineapple provides.
More Delicious Vegan Recipes
What did you think?
Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this piña colada milkshake to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
PrintRecipe
Piña Colada Milkshake
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 glasses 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Piña Colada Milkshake is a perfect blend of coconut milk ice cream and juicy pineapple for a cool, creamy, vegan-friendly drink.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of frozen, fresh, or canned pineapple* (see note)
- 1 pint coconut milk ice cream (or any plant-based vanilla ice cream)
- 1 cup of canned coconut milk**
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or agave nectar
- 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut (optional)
- pineapple slices and maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
- coco whip for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients: In a blender, combine the frozen pineapple chunks, coconut milk ice cream, coconut milk, and maple syrup. You may need to use a tamper if the ice cream is very frozen. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the milkshake and add more sweetener if desired. Blend again to incorporate.
- Serve: Pour the milkshake into 2 glasses. Garnish with pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, and coco whip if desired. You can also add a sprig of mint for a colorful presentation.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
*You can use canned, fresh, or frozen pineapple chunks. It might not be as thick if you opt for canned or fresh pineapple, but it'll still be delish. To thicken it up like a proper shake, throw in some ice—but watch out for those sneaky ice chunks if your blender’s feeling lazy. For a guaranteed smoother shake, freeze those fresh or canned chunks before tossing them in.
You can use coconut cream for more coconut flavor and thickness to the shake.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of rum for a delicious adult version. White or gold rum are good options.
**You can also use oat or almond milk, but the texture will differ slightly. In addition, the more milk you use, the less frothy and thick it will be, so adjust it to your liking.
Optional: If using canned pineapples, add a few tablespoons of the juice to the blender for more pineapple flavor.
Nutritional information is only an estimate and does not use garnishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: blender
- Cuisine: American
Christy says
This was a great treat. A bit indulgent with the calories but the kids loved it and tasted awesome. Thanks for the recipe.
Regi Pearce says
Hi Christy. So happy you like it! Thanks for the comment.