Cocktails with Kate & James: Piña Colada Two Ways

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Kate Kennedy July 8, 2020

James DeFayette, Tripleseat’s Hotel Onboarding Specialist, and I had so much fun recording the last Cocktails with Kate, we decided to make our dynamic duo a monthly tradition. So, this month I present to you, the inaugural episode of Cocktails with Kate & James! When we found out that July 10 is National Piña Colada Day, we knew we had to make two different recipes of the classic cocktail. I went frozen and James went straight up. The ingredients are similar, and the end results are delicious. Check out each of our recipes below:

Kate’s Frozen Banana Piña Colada

There’s so much fresh fruit in here, it’s almost a healthy beverage … until you add the rum.

Kate’s Frozen Banana Piña Colada

Ingredients (makes 2):

  • 2 bananas, peeled, cut into quarters, and frozen overnight
  • 1 cup of canned crushed pineapples
  • 1 cup of canned coconut cream
  • Juice of half a lime
  • 4 ounces of dark rum, and 2 extra ounces if you like a rum float (I prefer Bacardi 151 for that added kick)
  • Sweetened coconut shreds for garnish
  • Lime slices for garnish
  • 2 cups of ice
  • Blender

First, you’ll add your frozen banana and crushed pineapple to your blender and blend until smooth. Next, add your ice, coconut cream, lime juice, and 4 ounces of dark rum. Blend until the ice is broken down, and all of your ingredients are mixed. Pour the mixture into two glasses, top with one ounce of dark rum as your float, and garnish with coconut shreds and lime slice.

James’ Piña Colada Straight Up

James’ Piña Colada Straight Up

The frozen piña colada is a classic, but if you want the same taste without all of that ice getting in the way of you and your cocktail, try this straight up recipe served in a martini glass.

Ingredients (makes 2):

  • 2 ounces of canned coconut milk
  • 2 ounces of coconut water
  • 4 ounces of light rum (James prefers Bacardi)
  • 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
  • 4 chunks of fresh pineapple
  • Sweetened coconut shreds for garnish
  • Sliced coconut and maraschino cherry skewers for garnish
  • Ice
  • Cocktail shaker

First, you’ll add your pineapple chunks to a shaker and muddle them until they are mostly broken up. Add your coconut milk, coconut water, rum, and lime juice to the shaker. Add ice and shake, shake, shake!  Pour the mixture into two chilled martini glasses, top with coconut shreds and your garnish skewer.

In case you missed it live, watch James and I make these delicious drinks on the first episode of Cocktails with Kate & James below.

Resources from this episode: