Non-alcoholic pina colada with coconut milk

The key to a perfectly creamy non-alcoholic pina colada is the right temperature of the ingredients. Chill the coconut milk and pineapple juice in the fridge for at least one hour before you start blending.

Wash a fresh pineapple and cut a few thin slices for garnish. Squeeze the lime juice and strain through a sieve so the cocktail is smooth without any pulp. Use fresh lime rather than bottled juice - it gives the drink a much better flavour and aroma. Lime juice also helps balance the sweetness of the pineapple and coconut. Choose a ripe, fragrant pineapple with golden yellow skin and sweet scent at the base - underripe fruit adds unwanted sharpness.

Pour pineapple juice, coconut milk, lime juice, and ice cubes into the blender. The order of ingredients affects the texture - always add liquids first. Make sure the blender lid is firmly closed before starting.

Blend for 20-30 seconds until smooth, until the drink develops a light, creamy consistency. If it is too thick, add a tablespoon of pineapple juice. Too thin a consistency can be caused by coconut milk with a low fat content - always use full-fat variants with at least 17% fat. A good blender with a powerful motor will produce a smoother result in less time.

Taste and, if needed, sweeten with simple syrup, then blend briefly once more. The result should be mildly sweet with a distinct coconut aroma. Take care not to over-blend - the drink should stay cold and airy, not warm and flat. Stop blending as soon as the texture is uniform.

Pour into chilled glasses, garnish with a pineapple slice, and lightly sprinkle with grated coconut. Add a straw and optionally a mint leaf for a tropical touch. The glass should be as cold as possible - ideally placed in the freezer for five minutes beforehand. This way the ice melts more slowly and the drink stays thicker and colder throughout your enjoyment.

Serve immediately. The cocktail is best within the first five minutes, before the ice starts to dilute the mixture and the drink loses its fluffy, creamy consistency. If you want to prepare a larger batch, store the mixture without ice in the fridge and add ice just before serving. For parties, you can multiply the recipe easily - just keep the ratio of pineapple juice to coconut milk at 3 to 2 for the best balance of tropical flavour and creamy body.