The only reason I wish I hadn’t tried this recipe is that it’s more complicated than the recipe I was using… but it’s SO GOOD. Tolerates substitutions well. However, do not under any circumstances skip the umbrella! (It’s 32°C here in Canada today - feels like 41° with the humidity🥵 This PC is helping immensely!)

Does anyone happen to know if Monin Coconut Syrup is a good substitute for Coco Lopez?

Pineapple-forward compared to typical pina colada recipe, which are much more heavy on the coconut - I prefer this variant. The coconut is subtle, the half-n-half adds a foamy head but without becoming unctuous. Sweet pineapple juice is the dominant note, the rum and cachaca don't stand out (I wonder if using the cachaca helps the booze hide behind the pineapple.) Excellent for pineapple fans.

Have stayed away from Pina Coladas as I always find them overly sweet. This was great. A little on the sweet side, but with wonderful balance between the pineapple and coconut. Single cream added a nice frothy head without disturbing the balance of the cocktail.

What constitutes a “half scoop” of ice?

Replaced the Cachaça with Licor 43... absolutely perfect balance.

Made this but swapped in Plantation Pineapple Rum instead of the light rum and Difford’s Falernum instead of the cachaça. This is my new favourite and friends that have tried it also enjoyed.

You're hardly going to get complaints if you serve someone a Pina Colada, but this recipe strikes the perfect balance. Not cloying, not overwhelmed by coconut or pineapple, not too assertive with spices or lime. My friends and family reacted with "always make us this recipe. Don't change it."

With that said, this recipe also acts as a perfect platform for experimentation. Add a glance of Banane de Bresil. Add a bit of orgeat. Add some of AElred's Melon Apertif.