The tropical Chi Chi drink is essentially a Pina Colada with vodka instead of rum.
Vodka, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut are shaken with ice until chilled and served in a slender Collins glass. Garnished with a maraschino cherry and candied pineapple, the drink looks like a tropical beach holiday in a glass!
It’s the perfect thirst quenching cocktail to serve at a Caribbean-themed soiree or simply on a hot summer day to cool down.
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What Is A Chi Chi Drink?
The Chi Chi drink is a playful take on the Caribbean cocktail classic, simply substituting vodka for rum.
The drink is attributed to celebrated mixologist Donn Beach from The Beachcomber, considered the grandfather of America’s Tiki movement.
The Chi Chi drink was originally named the Macadamia Nut Chi Chi because initial recipes featured macadamia nut liqueur. If you can get your hands on a bottle add 1 oz to the shaker and you’ll see how the nuttiness enhances the overall flavour.
The breezy 3-ingredient cocktail is best served in a slender Collins glass or classic Pina Colada glass.
Bartenders have fun with the garnishes, using fresh pineapple slices, candied pineapple or dehydrated pineapple. A maraschino cherry is a must to pay homage to the drinks Pina Colada inspiration. You can also add a fun cocktail umbrella or palm tree stir stick.
Ingredients
This fun tropical cocktail is best served in a slender Collins glass. Fiddle through your bar cart, fridge and cupboards to ensure you have all the ingredients you’ll need:
- Vodka
- Cream of Coconut
- Pineapple Juice
- Crystallized Pineapple
- Maraschino Cherries
Directions
This Pina Colada with Vodka recipe is so easy to make at home, ready to serve in under 5 minutes!
- PREPARE THE GLASS: Begin by preparing your cocktail glass. If desired, you can fill each Collins glass with ice to ensure they are well chilled. Set the glass aside while you prepare the drink.
- SHAKE & STRAIN: Add vodka, cream of coconut and pineapple juice to an ice filled shaker. Shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds until chilled. Strain over ice into chilled glasses.
- GARNISH & SERVE: Garnish with a cocktail skewer featuring a maraschino cherry and candied pineapple.
Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
Pina Colada with Vodka Cocktail Recipe Tips
- We suggest serving a Chi Chi drink in a slender Collins glass.
- We like to use Smirnoff vodka in this recipe but you can also use Absolut or Stoli.
- You can purchase Cream of Coconut or prepare homemade Cream of Coconut.
- An hour or two before you’re planning on serving drinks we suggest placing the vodka bottle in the freezer so it is well chilled.
- The traditional way to serve a Chi Chi drink is by pouring it over ice but if you want to enjoy a more traditional pina colada slushy you can combine the ingredients in a blender.
- We like to garnish the glass with maraschino cherries and candied pineapple. You can also use a fresh pineapple slice or dehydrated pineapple if you prefer.
- If hosting a party be sure to offer non-alcoholic Caribbean drinks as well like Colombian Limonada de Coco.
Best Bartender Tools & Cocktail Equipment
Before hosting a fun tropical-inspired Pina Colada with Vodka party you’ll need to ensure you have the best bartender tools and cocktail equipment.
- Cocktail Kit: cocktail kits are the perfect gift for newbie mixology fans as they include basic bartender tools like a jigger, shaker and spoon.
- Cocktail Shaker: a bartender’s best friend. Purchase a premium cocktail shaker to muddle or shake up your favourite pink gin cocktails.
- Cocktail Glassware: make sure your bar is stocked with a selection of unique glassware to show off your favourite cocktail creations.
- Hawthorne Strainer: this unique strainer features tightly wound coils and perforated holes. It keeps ice and other large ingredients like lime wedges in your cocktail shaker rather than in the glass.
- Bar Spoons: slender and long bar spoons are a must-have when stirring drinks.
- Bottle Opener: easily open bottles of beer or cider with the flick of your wrist or purchase a corkscrew for fine wine.
- Pouring Spout: once you’ve opened a new bottle of gin insert these affordable pourers to make cocktail assembly a breeze.
- Cutting Board: purchase a petite cutting board for your bar to slice garnishes or citrus wedges like lime, orange, lemon or grapefruit.
- Ice Bucket: chill bottles of gin quickly in an ice bucket or keep by the bar when muddling gin mixers into cool creations.
- Ice Crusher: fans of the Mint Julep love an ice crusher.
- Ice Cube Kit: we suggest purchasing a selection of ice cube trays. Silicone styles are our favourite as they’re easy to clean and are available in various shapes and sizes.
- Jigger: use a jigger to accurately measure spirits, juices, syrups and shrubs.
- Juicer: invest in an electronic juicer or buy an affordable hand-held to easily juice fresh citrus like lemons and limes.
- Muddler: fans of the Mojito love a sturdy muddler to mix mint and lime. Muddler’s are handy for any cocktail featuring ingredients that need a pounding like fresh herbs or citrus wedges.
- Citrus Peeler & Zester: adorn your craft cocktails with a thick citrus peel or finer ribbons of lime or lemon zest.
- Rimmer: Bloody Mary and Caesar lovers should outfit their bar with a handy rimmer for salting and sugaring glassware.
When To Serve A Chi Chi Drink
This refreshing and fun Pina Colada with Vodka cocktail can be enjoyed any time of year but is a favourite during the warm summer months. We love to serve it as a:
- Happy hour drink served alongside snacks like Hawaiian Creamy Coconut Shrimp, Maduro con Queso Baked Plantain with Cheese or Creamy Cheesy Greek Spanakopita Dip.
- An ice-cold beverage to cool you down on a hot summer day while relaxing on a patio or in your backyard.
- It’s the perfect drink to make in a big punch bowl or served out of a jug at a big family gathering like a barbecue or summer potluck.
- This is the ideal drink to make for vodka lovers who want to experience a burst of Caribbean flavour but don’t like drinking rum.
- If you’re hosting a Caribbean-themed dinner party serve this Chi Chi drink alongside Jamaican Jerk Shrimp Rasta Pasta, Pineapple Plantain Jerk Chicken Burger, or Ajiaco Cubano,
How To Make A Chi Chi Cocktail Pina Colada with Vodka
Chi Chi Drink Pina Colada with Vodka Cocktail
Equipment
- Jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- Ice
- Cocktail Skewer
- Collins Glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1.5 oz Cream of Coconut
- 3 oz Pineapple Juice
- Crystalized Pineapple + Maraschino Cherry garnish
Instructions
- Add vodka, coconut cream and pineapple juice to a shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain over ice into a Collins or Hurricane glass.
- Garnish with crystalized pineapple and maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
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Love a pina colada AND vodka!