This keto piña colada tastes like the real deal due the right combination of fruity pineapple flavor, creamy coconut, and crushed ice!
Piña coladas have got to be the best warm weather drink (with or without alcohol) due to the yummy combination of fruity pineapple, creamy coconut, and crushed ice. Not only that, they’re simple to prepare, which makes them an ideal summer or vacation drink.
However, not all piña coladas are created equal. In fact, finding a good one can be a challenge — they’re often too sweet, watered-down, or just not the right balance of flavors. And forget about ordering a low-carb or keto piña colada when you’re out and about!
Keto piña coladas can be tricky to make since one of the key ingredients, pineapple juice, is high in carbs. Finding a decent substitute isn’t always easy.
Luckily, my husband makes the best piña coladas — both keto and full-carb versions (okay, I might be a little biased 😃). In his quest to perfect a keto piña colada, I taste-tested MANY versions. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many piña coladas in such a short time (don’t worry, they were virgin). But when he finally nailed it, we added some rum, and wow, it was it delicious!
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This keto piña colada recipe has just six ingredients, two net carbs, and takes only five minutes to make. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
About Piña Coladas
The piña colada, a tropical mixed drink from Puerto Rico, is traditionally made with pineapple juice, coconut milk or cream of coconut, rum, and crushed ice. However, there are many variations, including the virgin piña colada (made without rum) and the amaretto piña colada (where amaretto replaces the rum). It’s a refreshing drink perfect for hot days by the beach or pool.
Ingredients
This keto piña colada is made with just 6 ingredients including:
- ½ teaspoon Stur Coconut Pineapple flavor — you can find Stur water enhancers at most large grocers (we buy ours from the local Safeway). If you can't find the Stur brand at your local store, you can probably find similar sugar-free water enhancers from other brands like Crystal Light.
- ¼ cup canned coconut milk (we highly recommend Aroy-D) — please see below section on choosing the right coconut milk.
- 2 ½ teaspoons Swerve Granular
- 1 fluid ounce rum (or leave out if making alcohol free)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup ice cubes (about 60 grams)
Best Coconut Milk for Piña Coladas
At the store, you’ll typically find multiple types of coconut milk, including canned coconut milk and coconut milk in a carton. The thicker, full-fat coconut milk is usually used for curries and is most often (though not always) sold in a can. This is the type of coconut milk you’ll want for a piña colada. The coconut milk sold in a carton, often marketed as a dairy-free milk alternative and sometimes labeled as "coconut milk beverage," is too watered down.
Many standard piña colada recipes call for "cream of coconut," but that is a form of coconut cream loaded with sugar and is not keto-friendly.
We've also found that choosing the right brand of coconut milk can make or break a recipe — especially when it’s the star ingredient (like in this one). Over the years, we’ve taste-tested many coconut milk brands for our keto Thai recipes, and we highly recommend Aroy-D Coconut Milk. (Confusingly, it’s sold in both cartons and cans, but both packages contain the same type of milk.) Unlike other ingredients, where brands are often interchangeable, the right coconut milk truly makes a difference in the final piña colada—and many other recipes.
Alcohol in Moderation on Keto
While many spirits, such as rum, have zero carbs, it’s important to moderate alcohol consumption on a keto diet. Alcohol not only slows ketosis but can also make you intoxicated more quickly and lead to worse hangovers. For these reasons, drinking in moderation is best while following a keto lifestyle.
More Keto Drinks
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
Recipe
Keto Piña Colada
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Aroy-D canned coconut milk
- ½ teaspoon Stur Coconut Pineapple flavor or similar water enhancer
- 2 ½ teaspoons Swerve Granular
- 1 fluid ounce rum leave out if making alcohol free
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup ice cubes about 60 grams
Instructions
- Mix and serve: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until crushed to desired consistency. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Nutrition information includes calories from 1 fluid ounce of rum.
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