Virgin Pina Colada, Tropical drink

It was the eve of new year when I first tasted Virgin Pina Colada, with my friends and Colleagues in a small Delhi Pub. And since then my love for this drink has only grown with time.. I know am sounding overly dramatic , but that’s what it is. I seriously fell in love with this refreshing Mock-tail and since then it’s the only drink I call for whenever I go for any formal dinner. It’s not that I haven’t tried any other drink ever, I really lunged for other stuff deliberately a few times but comes back to the same again and again. The blend of Pineapple and coconut milk is just too addictive for me. I remember the first time I called it Pyna-Colada since I didn't know how to pronounce it. The waitress frowned at me and said " Its Peena, Madam". What a moment of embarrassment for me ! 

Surprisingly, the thought of making it at home never crossed my mind, I was happy sipping it in Restaurants with that little umbrella on the glass. Last month when Anusha Praveen from the group - Groovey Gourmet announced the next challenge of posting a drink from the Food Porn site -“Food Gawker”, I could actually picture myself indulging in this super refreshing drink. Luckily, the weather was also supportive last weekend, just the right temperature to enjoy a chilled drink. I woke up a bit earlier than usual as if the Sunshine was teasing me to get up and ready for the little project, was a bit sceptical since I had never tried these fancy drinks at home before.. I swirled up the ingredients ( there were hardly any ) together and yummm.. Emptied the first glass then and there, and then the next one along with the breakfast. I was apprehensive for no reason, drink was as tasty as I have had in Restaurants so far, rather better since I could drink as much as I wanted J

The recipe is nothing really, all you need to do is blend the ingredients together and that’s it. You can play around with your choice of flavours keeping pineapple and coconut constant, can ever prepare the coconut milk and Pineapple juice at home or use canned one. Everything will work, the taste will vary just a little though. This time, I was so anxious of getting it right I didn't bother to make everything from at home by myself and bought everything canned. Next time I will def make at least coconut milk at home, since I know that's much more smooth and kind of give a silky texture to the drink. Health benefit is a bonus totally. 

The original recipe is taken from here, I have just skipped rum since I don't take Alcohol. I just don't like the taste, or the after effect either as people say. But that's another story, will discuss later. As per this recipe, I have added a small banana to the drink as well, and that helped in maintaining that smooth texture. Also make sure that the coconut milk used must be thick and not thin. You may use half and half, like 1 cup of thick and 1 cup of thin coconut milk. the one I get here is just right, so haven't used two separate variations. 

What you need?

2 cups coconut milk,

1 small banana

1 ½ cup Pineapple Juice

2  tbsp Orange Juice / or Lime Juice 

1 tsp of Rose Syrup ( Like Rooh Afza etc, to spread on top, optional ) 

Crushed Mint - For garnish 

How to Make?

Throw everything ( except Mint and Rose Syrup )  in a blender till it gets puréed nicely, strain in glasses.

Serve with a fresh slice of pineapple and crushed mint, I have used a spoon of Rose water ( the pink line on top of the glass ), just for extra flavours.

Enjoy and celebrate life.

My Notes: 

You may sprinkle some grated coconut on top before serving

Crushed ice will also do a good job, I didn’t  have any so couldn't use it.

To give it the real tropical feel,  serve it in a young coconut directly with a straw.. 

Linking it to events: -
Lets cook with coconut by Simply food