Pina coladas are a popular tropical cocktail typically made with rum, coconut milk, and pineapple juice. While they can be made from scratch using fresh ingredients, many people opt for the convenience of store-bought pina colada mix. But what exactly is in these premade mixes? Let’s take a closer look at the common ingredients and nutrition facts of store bought pina colada mix.
Common Ingredients
Store bought pina colada mixes vary between brands, but most contain some key ingredients in common:
Sugar
Sugar is a major ingredient in bottled pina colada mix, often in the form of pure cane sugar. The sugar provides the sweetness and balances out the tartness of the pineapple juice. Depending on the brand, pina colada mix can contain up to 44 grams of sugar per serving.
Coconut Creamer
Coconut creamer or coconut milk gives the pina colada its creamy, tropical flavor. The coconut creamer is usually made from a blend of water, coconut cream concentrate, and stabilizers like guar gum. This helps replicate the texture of fresh coconut milk.
Pineapple Juice
What would a pina colada be without pineapple juice? Most mixes use concentrated pineapple juice from real pineapples. When reconstituted with water or rum, it provides that fruity, tangy pineapple flavor.
Natural and Artificial Flavors
In addition to pineapple and coconut, pina colada mixes often contain other natural and artificial flavors. These are added to enhance the sweetness and fruitiness, while imitating the complex flavor of a fresh pina colada. Common ones include vanilla, rum, and coconut extracts.
Stabilizers and Emulsifiers
To achieve the desired creamy texture and prevent separation, most pina colada mixes include stabilizers and emulsifiers. These ingredients help bind all the components together evenly. Xanthan gum and guar gum are some typical examples.
Preservatives
Preservatives allow the pina colada mix to have a longer shelf life. Potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and potassium metabisulfite are preservatives commonly found in bottled mixes. They prevent mold, yeast, and bacterial growth.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is sometimes added to pina colada mix as a flavoring agent and preservative. It helps maintain the acidic pH to prevent spoilage while also lending a bit of tartness.
Coloring
To achieve a rich, tropical color mimicking fresh pineapple juice, most pina colada mixes include coloring such as Yellow #5 or Yellow #6. This vibrant hue makes the drink more aesthetically appealing.
Nutrition Facts
When looking at the nutritional content of store bought pina colada mix, a few things stand out:
High in Sugar
As mentioned earlier, bottled pina colada mixes are high in added sugars. A single serving may contain 35-44 grams of sugar, accounting for 70-88% of the daily value. This is far more than the 6 teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar recommended for women and 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men per day.
Low in Protein
Pina colada mix contains minimal amounts of protein at less than 1 gram per serving. It does not provide a meaningful source of this important macronutrient.
Minimal Fiber
There is little to no dietary fiber in premade pina colada mixes. While pineapple juice naturally contains some fiber when fresh, the bottled mixes lack whole fruit and pulp.
High in Carbohydrates
The main nutrients in pina colada mix are carbohydrates, given the high sugar content. A serving may provide 65-80% of the daily value for total carbs.
Low in Essential Nutrients
Store bought pina colada mixes are not a significant source of vitamins, minerals, or healthy fats. While pineapple juice naturally provides some vitamin C when fresh, these nutrients are diminished during processing.
Varies in Calories
Depending on the brand, a serving of pina colada mix can range from 140-250 calories. The calorie count correlates with the amount of added sugar.
| Nutrient | Per 1/2 cup (4oz) serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50g |
| Sugars | 44g |
| Protein | 0g |
Ingredients by Popular Brand
Now let’s look at the ingredients label of some top-selling store bought pina colada mixes:
Malibu Pina Colada Mix
– Sugar
– Coconut cream (coconut, maltodextrin, mono and diglycerides, guar gum, polysorbate 60)
– Natural flavors
– Citric acid
– Ascorbic acid
– Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate (preservatives)
– Beta carotene (for color)
Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut
– Sugar
– Coconut pulp
– Water
– Phosphoric acid
– Guar gum
– Carrageenan
– Potassium sorbate (preservative)
Calypso Pina Colada Mix
– High fructose corn syrup
– Coconut cream (coconut, water, sodium metabisulfite)
– Pineapple juice concentrate
– Natural and artificial flavors
– Citric acid
– Yellow #6
– Blue #1
Margaritaville Pina Colada Mix
– Sugar
– Coconut cream (coconut, water, mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, guar gum)
– Pineapple juice concentrate
– Natural flavor
– Citric acid
– Sodium hexametaphosphate
– Yellow #5
Making Your Own Healthier Pina Colada
While store bought pina colada mixes offer convenience, they are loaded with added sugars and artificial ingredients. For a healthier version, it’s easy to make your own pina colada at home:
Ingredients:
– 2 oz rum
– 1/4 cup pineapple juice
– 1/4 cup light coconut milk
– 1 tbsp lime juice
– 1 tbsp honey or agave nectar
– Ice
– Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients except ice in a blender.
2. Add ice and blend until smooth. For a frothier drink, blend for an extra 30 seconds.
3. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with lime wedge.
This easy homemade pina colada cuts the sugar in half compared to store bought mixes. It also provides more fiber from the fresh pineapple juice and healthy fats from the coconut milk. Feel free to tweak the recipe to your taste by using less or more sweetener. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry for a festive touch. Sip your pina colada and enjoy those tropical flavors!
The Bottom Line
Store bought pina colada mixes provide an instant shortcut to whipping up this classic tropical drink. However, they are high in added sugars and low in nutrients compared to versions made from scratch. Common ingredients include sugar, coconut creamer, pineapple juice concentrate, natural and artificial flavors, preservatives, and food dyes. While convenient, these bottled mixes lack the full nutrition of fresh pineapple and coconut milk. To lighten up your pina colada, try making your own version at home using simple real food ingredients. This allows you to control the sugar content while still enjoying those delicious island flavors.