Colada de Piña: Colombian Pineapple & Corn Spiced Beverage
Colada de Piña is an incredibly refreshing and delicious traditional beverage boasting a vibrant tropical flavor and a wonderfully smooth, thick texture. While its name might remind you of the famous beach cocktail, this colada is completely alcohol-free! It is a family-friendly, sweet, starchy drink that is massively popular in the Colombian Pacific, especially in the department of Chocó.
The secret to this 1-hour and 40-minute recipe is the base. By boiling and blending threshed corn to extract its starches, you create a rich liquid that naturally thickens (cuaja) over the heat. When combined with fresh grated pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves, it transforms into a deeply comforting drink that can be enjoyed hot on a rainy day or ice-cold during a hot summer afternoon!
Colada de Piña (Pineapple Colada)
Ingredients
- 1.5 Liters Water
- 1 Pineapple Peeled, grated, and juice reserved
- 1 lb Threshed corn Maíz trillado
- 1/2 lb Sugar
- Ground cinnamon To taste
- Cloves To taste
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cook and extract the corn base: The very first step is to place the threshed corn in a pot with the water and cook it for 1 full hour. Once soft, remove it from the heat and grind or blend it thoroughly. Pass this mixture through a fine strainer until you have a smooth, well-diluted, starchy liquid.
- Thicken the base: Pour the strained liquid back into a pot and cook it over medium heat for about 15 minutes until it begins to thicken and set (cuajar).
- Flavor the colada: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a few cloves to the thickening liquid. Stir well, then add the sugar, the grated pineapple, and all of its naturally released juices.
- Final simmer: Stir the mixture continuously with a wooden spoon for another 10 minutes as it continues to thicken. Right at the end, stir in the pinch of salt and the nutmeg to balance the sweetness.
- Rest and serve: Lower the heat, let the beverage rest for a few minutes, and serve. You can enjoy it warm straight from the pot, or chill it in the fridge to serve cold!
Notes
- Pacific Pride: While pineapple drinks are common everywhere, this specific thick, corn-based colada is a hallmark of the gastronomy of the Colombian Pacific coast, particularly in the Chocó region.
- Zero Alcohol: Unlike the world-famous “Piña Colada” cocktail which relies on rum and coconut cream, this traditional Colombian colada refers to the cooking and straining technique of the starchy corn, containing absolutely zero alcohol.
- The Magic of Bromelain: Pineapples contain a powerful natural enzyme called bromelain. It has massive anti-inflammatory properties, making it highly beneficial for people dealing with arthritis, sports injuries, and aiding in the digestion of heavy proteins!
- Vitamin C Boost: This fruit is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient that helps maintain a healthy immune system and actively protects the body against free radical damage.
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