Beyond Blenders: Here Are 5 No-Fuss Piña Coladas For An Indian Home Bar
No fancy bartending equipment? No blender, either? Well, that’s no problem! Making piña coladas in an Indian kitchen set up or home bar can become smooth even without a blender if you follow certain simple hacks. These tricks keep the flavours and ingredients in the cocktail much the same but make subtle alterations to its texture and composition. With this, it is possible to craft a drink that tastes much like a classic piña colada but carries a slightly different structure, putting a light twist on the actual recipe.
Such a piña colada variation can be an interesting alternative to prepare at a themed gathering in monsoon or during a luncheon served indoors. Frozen piña coladas and popsicle cocktails are among the chilled varieties that can be crafted ahead of a party whereas the shaker-style drink can be easily and swiftly prepared at an Indian home bar with minimal equipment as the event gets underway.
Read on below to know more about some of the piña coladas that can be thus crafted without the blender, using methods conducive to an Indian kitchen or bar setup:
Shaker-Style Piña Colada
One of the simplest ways of preparing a piña colada without a blender is to make it in a shaker. This drink is slightly frothy, very silky and just as creamy as the classic cocktail. But this is a no-fuss drink which can be prepared with fewer ice cubes for controlling the blend’s temperature and can be shaken in a long cocktail shaker or even a steel tin with a tight lid. Add just a pinch of cardamom to the traditional piña colada recipe to lend this drink a regional flair.
Frozen Popsicle Piña Colada
An interesting piña colada variation to serve at an evening gathering during humid, monsoon climes, the frozen piña colada carries a thick, slushie-like texture which is the result of the crushed ice used for making the blend. This milkshake-like drink can however be made without a blender simply by adding crushed ice to a glass before layering all the cocktail ingredients in order. Garnish the drink served in a tall glass with a paper umbrella for the classic tiki finish.
Also Read: The Perfect DIY Kokum Syrup For Your Home Bar; Tried And Tested Recipe Inside
Stirred-Down Piña Colada
A simple, no-fuss, no-blender recipe, the stirred-down piña colada involves putting all the cocktail ingredients together in a long, cylindrical steel vessel found across many Indian kitchens. Stir the ingredients either using a long spoon or simply give it a good whisk using a traditional, handmade wooden whisk – another staple in Indian homes that is used so often to make creamy buttermilk. Using this whisk will lend the piña colada a thick, frothy and creamy layer which will become the highlight of the cocktail.
Clarified Piña Colada
One of the minimalist recipes that is doing the rounds in contemporary mixology cultures, the clarified piña colada involves using milk or a cheesecloth to essentially craft a crystal-clear and silky blend. This exquisite, premium drink requires just a little bit of time to prepare but can be made using readily available kitchen tools. The drink is slowly filtered to reveal a transparent blend complete with tropical flavours. With sheer mixology technique, it is sure to be an impressive blend at a gathering hosted indoors during monsoons.
Spiced Masala Piña Colada
A drink which is rather popular in Indian mixology cultures is the sherbet. Generally, sherbets are stirred drinks containing fruity ingredients mixed with cold water or club soda. The classic piña colada can be prepared without a blender using this simple sherbet-making technique but what would add just that extra finish into the blend is the addition of a little black salt and chilli powder for a mix of salty, spicy flavours readily found in Indian kitchens. Stirred to mix all ingredients together, the drink can be served in a coconut shell for a more tropical touch.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
