RumChata Pina Colada

One of my all-time favorite RumChata (rum pineapple cream) drinks recipes is the pineapple and coconut RumChata Pina Colada. What makes RumChata such a great addition to a piña colada?  Its smooth blend of Caribbean rum, real dairy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla adds an ultra-creamy texture and a subtle warmth that balances beautifully with the pineapple and coconut. 

It all started with a craving for something refreshing, tropical, and just a little decadent. I played around with a few versions—using mango, guava, and even passionfruit—but this pineapple coconut combo with RumChata has become the one in our house. Especially during summer get-togethers, when you want a Pina colada that exceeds expectations, like my Pina colada mojito also with pineapple and coconut.  

If you love this one, you should also check out my other summer-ready sips like the Bourbon and Coffee Cold Brew Cocktail—a bold, caffeinated drink with a chill vibe—or the Tropical Coconut Rum Cocktail, which is another breezy, beachy favorite perfect for warm weather hangouts.

This drink is rich and creamy—definitely on the heavier side, but in the best way. It’s the kind of cocktail you sip slowly and enjoy, especially when it’s hot outside and you need something icy and indulgent in hand. (For the record, I drank three while filming the video and was very full and a little buzzed by the end!)

For the best results, I always recommend using canned unsweetened coconut milk (Thai Kitchen is my go-to) and cold, 100% pineapple juice—fresh if you can find it, but store-bought works great, too. Crushed ice is a must for that frosty texture, and don’t skip the mint and crushed pineapple garnish—it makes the drink pop with freshness.

Top Tips for my Pina Colada Recipe: 

• Use full-fat coconut milk: Choose unsweetened canned coconut milk (My personal preference is Thai Kitchen) and make sure to shake well before opening. 
• Don’t underestimate the power of crushed ice: It gives the drink that signature frozen texture 

Ingredient Highlight: RumChata (Rum Pineapple Cream) 

RumChata is a liqueur that blends Caribbean rum with real dairy cream, cinnamon, and vanilla—think of it like adult horchata with a boozy, velvety twist. It’s rich, sweet, and just a little bit spicy, making it an unexpected but perfect partner for tropical ingredients like pineapple and coconut.

In this piña colada variation, RumChata brings the creamy mouthfeel and soft vanilla-cinnamon notes that balance the bright acidity of the pineapple juice and the earthy creaminess of the coconut milk. It elevates the drink from a standard tropical cocktail to something that’s part island breeze, part dessert-in-a-glass.

Ever since I brought home my first bottle of RumChata, it’s been a staple in my kitchen—and honestly, it’s taken my cocktail and dessert game to a whole new level. From cozy Pumpkin RumChata Pudding Shots perfect for fall gatherings to the tropical, creamy Coconut RumChata Pudding Shots that always disappear at parties, RumChata has proven itself to be one incredibly versatile ingredient.

Three Ways to Crush Ice:

1. Put a couple of handfuls of ice in a blender and blend for a few seconds. You don’t want to break the ice down completely. 
2. Get a large ziplock bag and fill it with 1/3 full of ice. Take a meat tenderizer (kitchen hammer) and hammer the ice until it is crushed. It is so worth crushing the ice in this cocktail. Make sure you have straws because that crushed ice makes this drink hard to sip!
3. Another cocktail ice hack is just to buy a bag from Chic-fil-a or Sonic. They have the best ice!

How to Make a RumChata Cocktail

This creamy fruity RumChata Cocktail with Pineapple Juice is easy to make. You just need a few ingredients and a cocktail shaker.

• First, grab your cocktail shaker and add pineapple juice, coconut milk, simple syrup, and RumChata with ice.
• Shake the cocktail shaker.
• Strain into a glass over crushed ice.
• Add mint and a spoonful of crushed pineapple to garnish.

All done, in just five minutes! See details below.

You may also like my Coconut RumChata Pudding Shots