Oh my goodness, friends, I’m about to share a drink that’s like summer vacation in a glass! This Ocean Love Colada is everything you want in a tropical mocktail—creamy coconut, sweet pineapple, and the most gorgeous blue color that’ll transport you straight to crystal clear waters. Trust me, when you serve these at your next gathering, everyone will be asking for the recipe! I started making these for my beach-themed parties, and now they’re requested by name. They’re so pretty and refreshing, you won’t even miss the alcohol (though I’ll share a little tip for the adults-only version later!).
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Instagram-Worthy Appearance: The stunning blue color with tropical garnishes makes this the most photogenic drink at any gathering!
- Tropical Flavor Paradise: The combination of coconut and pineapple creates that perfect vacation taste that’ll transport you to a beachside resort.
- Versatile for Everyone: It’s alcohol-free as written, making it perfect for everyone from kids to grandparents, but easily adaptable for an adult version.
- Simple to Make: No bartending skills required—just blend and pour for an impressive drink that looks like you spent hours creating it.
Ingredients For Ocean Love Colada
All you need for this refreshing Ocean Love Colada is:
- Pineapple juice: Provides that sweet tropical base flavor that makes this drink so refreshing.
- Coconut cream: Adds richness and creaminess while delivering authentic piña colada flavor.
- Cold water or coconut milk: Helps balance the sweetness and creates the perfect consistency.
- Crushed ice: Essential for that frosty, refreshing texture.
- Blue raspberry syrup: The secret ingredient that creates the gorgeous ocean blue color.
- Coconut extract: Enhances the coconut flavor for an even more tropical experience.
- Pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries: Not just pretty garnishes—they add the perfect finishing touch of color and flavor.
The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.
How to Make the Ocean Love Colada
Step 1: Blend the Base
In a blender, combine the pineapple juice, coconut cream, cold water (or coconut milk for extra creaminess), and crushed ice. Blend on high until smooth and frothy—about 30-45 seconds. The mixture should be thick but still pourable, like a smoothie consistency.
Step 2: Create the Ocean Color
Pour the blue raspberry syrup into the bottom of your serving glasses. I like to drizzle it around the sides a bit too—this creates that beautiful swirled effect that looks like ocean waves! If you’re using coconut extract for extra flavor, add it to the blender mixture now and pulse a few times to incorporate.
Step 3: Combine for the Ocean Effect
Slowly pour the coconut-pineapple mixture into the glasses over the blue syrup. Watch the magic happen as the blue swirls through the creamy white mixture, creating a stunning ocean-inspired drink! For the most dramatic effect, don’t stir—let the blue naturally create those beautiful swirls.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
This is where you can really make these drinks spectacular! Garnish each glass with a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry. For extra tropical flair, add a colorful paper umbrella or a bright straw. Serve immediately while frosty and cold.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Chill Everything: Make sure your pineapple juice and coconut milk/water are well-chilled before blending for the frostiest result.
- Layer Carefully: Pour the coconut-pineapple mixture slowly over the back of a spoon into the glass to create beautiful layers with the blue syrup.
- Coconut Cream vs. Cream of Coconut: These are different products! Coconut cream is unsweetened and thicker than coconut milk, while cream of coconut (like Coco Lopez) is sweetened. Either works in this recipe, but reduce any added sweetener if using cream of coconut.
- Make-Ahead Option: Blend the coconut-pineapple mixture up to a day ahead and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, just give it a quick blend with fresh ice and assemble the drinks.
How to Serve Ocean Love Colada
The Ocean Love Colada is perfect for so many occasions:
- Summer Parties: Serve in clear glasses to show off the beautiful blue color—perfect for pool parties or beach-themed gatherings.
- Brunch Highlight: Offer these as a special non-alcoholic option at your next brunch get-together.
- Dessert Pairing: These are amazing served alongside tropical desserts like coconut cake or pineapple upside-down cake.
- Special Occasion: For weddings or baby showers with a tropical or beach theme, these make a stunning signature drink.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The blended base (without the blue syrup) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The mixture may separate slightly, but just give it a good shake or quick blend before using.
Freezing
Pour the blended mixture into ice cube trays and freeze for up to 3 months. Pop a few cubes into the blender with fresh pineapple juice for an instant slushy version!
Make Fresh Ocean Love Colada
For the best flavor and presentation, these are really best served immediately after preparation. If you’re serving a crowd, prep all your ingredients and garnishes ahead of time, then blend in batches as needed.
FAQs
Can I make this into an alcoholic cocktail?
Absolutely! For an adult version, add 1-2 ounces of white rum or coconut rum per serving to the blender with the other ingredients. Malibu coconut rum works especially well with these flavors, creating a boozy blue piña colada that’s perfect for evening gatherings.
I can’t find blue raspberry syrup. What else can I use?
Blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic version) works beautifully for color. In a pinch, you can use blue sports drinks or even a few drops of blue food coloring mixed with simple syrup. The flavor will be slightly different, but the visual effect will be just as stunning.
Is there a dairy-free option?
This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written! Coconut cream and coconut milk are plant-based. Just make sure the blue syrup you choose doesn’t contain any dairy ingredients, and you’re good to go.
My drink doesn’t look as blue as I expected. What happened?
The blue color should create beautiful swirls rather than turning the entire drink blue. If you want a more vibrant color throughout, add the blue syrup directly to the blender instead of to the bottom of the glass. For an even more dramatic effect, try layering the drink—pour the blue syrup in first, then carefully spoon crushed ice on top, and slowly pour in the coconut-pineapple mixture.
Ocean Love Colada
Equipment
- Blender
- Serving Glasses
- Straw
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice chilled
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup cold water or coconut milk
- 1 cup crushed ice
For Color & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons blue raspberry syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
- 2 slices pineapple wedges
- 2 pieces maraschino cherries
Instructions
- In a blender, combine pineapple juice, coconut cream, cold water (or coconut milk), and crushed ice. Blend on high until smooth and frothy.
- Pour blue raspberry syrup into the bottom of each glass, drizzling some around the sides for a swirling effect.
- Slowly pour the blended mixture over the blue syrup, allowing natural swirling for a beautiful ocean effect.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately with a straw.