This Lava Flow Drink is a taste of tropical paradise! It’s a creamy, fruity, and incredibly refreshing cocktail that combines the flavors of strawberries, coconut, banana, and pineapple. I love how this drink is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious, with a beautiful layered effect that resembles flowing lava. It’s perfect for summer parties, poolside lounging, or any time you’re craving a taste of the islands. Get ready to escape to a tropical paradise with this easy and impressive cocktail!
Why You’ll Love This Lava Flow Drink
- Tropical Flavors: The combination of strawberries, coconut, banana, and pineapple is a classic tropical flavor pairing.
- Creamy and Refreshing: The blend of cream of coconut and fruit creates a smooth, creamy, and refreshing drink.
- Beautiful Presentation: The layered effect of the strawberry and banana mixtures creates a stunning visual presentation.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly in a blender.
- Perfect for Summer: A perfect drink for hot summer days.
Ingredients for Lava Flow Drink
Here’s what you’ll need to make this tropical cocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Frozen strawberries (Fruit)
- Light rum (Liquor)
- Coconut rum (Liquor)
- Banana (Fruit)
- Cream of coconut (Coconut Product)
- Pineapple juice (Juice)
- Ice
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Lava Flow Drink as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Make it a Mocktail: Omit the rum for a non-alcoholic version.
- Different Fruit: Use other frozen fruits, like mango, raspberries, or pineapple chunks.
- Add a Floater: Add a floater of dark rum on top for an extra kick.
- Make it Spicier: Add a small piece of fresh ginger to the banana mixture.
- Garnish: Garnish with a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, or a cocktail umbrella.
How to Make a Lava Flow Drink
Let me show you how easy it is to make this beautiful and delicious Lava Flow Drink:
Blend Strawberry Mixture
- To a blender, I add the frozen strawberries, light rum, and coconut rum.
- I blend until well combined.
- I pour the mixture into a glass and set it aside.
Rinse Blender
- I rinse out the blender.
Blend Banana Mixture
- Then, I add the banana, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice to the blender.
- I blend until well combined and smooth.
Layer and Serve
- I slowly pour the banana mixture over the strawberry mixture in the glass. The different densities of the mixtures will create a layered effect.
- I garnish
- I serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Lava Flow
Here are my secrets for making this cocktail truly exceptional:
- Use Frozen Strawberries: Frozen strawberries create a thicker, colder drink.
- Good Quality Rum: Use good quality rums for the best flavor.
- Cream of Coconut: Make sure to use cream of coconut, not coconut milk, for the rich, sweet flavor. Coco Lopez and Real Coco are common brands.
- Slow Pour: Pour the banana mixture slowly over the strawberry mixture to create the layered effect.
- Serve Immediately: This drink is best served immediately, while it’s cold and the layers are distinct.
How to Serve
This Lava Flow Drink is perfect for:
- Summer Parties: A refreshing and festive cocktail for summer gatherings.
- Poolside Lounging: The perfect drink to enjoy while relaxing by the pool.
- Vacation Vibes: Transport yourself to a tropical island with this delicious cocktail.
- Happy Hour: A fun and flavorful cocktail for happy hour.
Make Ahead and Storage
This drink is best served immediately after blending. You can prepare the individual mixtures ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator, but the layered effect is best achieved when assembled fresh.
FAQs about Lava Flow Drink
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
- Yes, you can use fresh strawberries, but the drink will be less thick and cold. You may want to add more ice.
- Can I make this without the alcohol?
- Yes, you can omit the rum for a virgin Lava Flow.
- What if I don’t have cream of coconut?
- You can use Coconut milk
Enjoy this creamy, fruity, and incredibly refreshing Lava Flow Drink! It’s a perfect way to escape to a tropical paradise, no matter where you are.
Print
Lava Flow Drink
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Blend Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Tropical Drinks
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-Inspired
Description
This Lava Flow Drink is a tropical cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. It features a vibrant swirl of strawberry puree and a creamy, coconut-pineapple-banana mixture, creating a “lava flow” effect.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces frozen strawberries
- 1 ounce light rum (white rum)
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced (fresh or frozen)
- 2 ounces cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez or Coco Real, see notes)
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh pineapple wedge
- Cocktail umbrella
Instructions
- Blend Strawberry Mixture: In a blender, combine the frozen strawberries, light rum, and coconut rum. Blend until completely smooth.
- Pour into Glass: Pour the strawberry mixture into a tall serving glass (such as a hurricane glass or a highball glass). Set aside.
- Rinse Blender: Rinse out the blender thoroughly to remove any traces of the strawberry mixture. This is important to keep the two layers separate.
- Blend Banana Mixture: In the clean blender, combine the sliced banana, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice cubes. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Layer Drink: Slowly and carefully pour the banana mixture over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass, on top of the strawberry mixture. This layering technique creates the “lava flow” effect. The banana mixture should sit on top of the strawberry layer.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish the drink with a fresh pineapple wedge and a cocktail umbrella, if desired.
- Serve Immediately
Notes
- Frozen Strawberries: Using frozen strawberries helps to create a thicker, colder drink. You can use fresh strawberries, but you may need to add more ice.
- Banana: A ripe banana adds sweetness and creaminess. You can use a fresh or frozen banana. If using frozen, let it thaw slightly before blending.
- Cream of Coconut: Use cream of coconut, not coconut milk. Cream of coconut is a sweetened, thick coconut product often found in the cocktail mixer section of the grocery store (brands include Coco Lopez and Coco Real). It is essential for the flavor and texture of this drink.
- Rums: The combination of light rum and coconut rum provides the classic Lava Flow flavor.
- Pineapple Juice: Use 100% pineapple juice.
- Ice: Adjust the amount of ice to your preference.
- Layering: The key to the “lava flow” effect is to pour the banana mixture slowly over the strawberry mixture. Pouring it over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass helps prevent the layers from mixing.
- Serving Suggestions: This drink is perfect for parties, barbecues, or any tropical-themed occasion.
- Storage: This drink is best made fresh.