About Jack Frost Winter Cocktail
If you’re longing for summer in the midst of winter, there’s one delicious way to cure those blues away:
Whip up a jack frost winter cocktail.
It’s like a festive version of a classic piña colada, only with a festive blue color and tasty shredded coconut along the rim.

Cream of coconut vs coconut milk
This recipe calls for cream of coconut, and it’s important to note that this is not the same thing as coconut milk. Both ingredients come from a similar base, but there are key differences in consistency and how they’re used.
Overall, Coconut milk is liquid like cow’s milk, and is made from simmering one part shredded coconut and one part water. It’s very commonly used in Thai recipes.
Cream of coconut is much thicker and richer, and comes from simmering four parts shredded coconut and one part water. Cream of coconut is common in mixed drinks.
Because of the significant differences in consistency and taste, I do not recommend trying to substitute coconut milk for cream of coconut. Make sure you’ve found true cream of coconut before making this recipe.
Where can I find cream of coconut?
If you’re having trouble locating cream of coconut (sometimes called coconut cream) at your local grocery store, check these areas first:
- Canned fruit and vegetable aisle.
- International foods (but do not confuse it with coconut milk – they are not the same and should not be substituted for each other.)
- If neither of the above, check your local ABC or big box alcohol stores (BevMo, Total Wine, etc) as they may have it in their drink mixes section.
How to measure this drink
This cocktail is written like a standard drink recipe, meaning that instead of an exact measurement (ex: 1 cup) the recipe will read “1 part.”
This can sometimes be a little confusing, but I’ve found the best way to think of it like this: Recipes that measure in parts usually mean it’s written so that you can adjust the size of the drink to whatever you want and the measurements they give you (1 part, 1/2 part, etc) are so you can keep the ratio of the ingredients correct.
For example, let’s say you wanted to make one drink – this typically means you’re using 1 standard shot glass for measuring. So then when the recipe says “1 part” you would interpret that amount as “1 standard shot glass” full. If the recipe says “1/2 part” you’d fill the shot glass halfway so that it’s “1/2 standard shot glass.” OR, let’s say you wanted to make enough drinks for a few friends. When making the drink you could interpret “1 part” as “1 cup” (or “1/2 part” to “1/2 cup.”)
This way the drink will taste the same no matter what size you make it.
What were the old measurements of this recipe?
As time goes on, I may update recipes depending on experience, format, or reader feedback to help keep things consistent and clear. This winter cocktail was one of those recipes, which was updated in 2020 to keep the measurements uniform with other drinks on this site. But originally, there were exact measurements included in the instructions for making four drinks.
If you’d like to get right to it, below is the recipe as it was originally written.
To make 4 drinks, add these to a blender:
- 3 cup ice, for a thicker drink, use 4 cups
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup vodka or light rum
- 1/2 cup Blue Curacao
- 1/2 cup cream of coconut
Notes & tips for this jack frost drink
- One of the prettiest things about this cocktail is the shaved coconut along the rim – however, this can be tricky to set up. This is why I recommend coating the rim with light corn syrup, as it’s extra sticky and sticky and will hold the shredded coconut better. You can try using simple syrup, but I’ve found it to be too watery to hold the coconut.
- Like the glasses used in this photo? I bought them a few years ago from a local store, but this set of square champagne flutes is very similar.
- You’ll also need a trusty food processor for this recipe. I bought the Ninja Blender System almost 10 years ago and it hasn’t failed me yet!
More festive drinks
How to make a winter cocktail
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – If you’re decorating the glasses, add some light corn syrup to a plate. Dip a glass upside down to coat the rim. Add some shredded coconut to another plate, then dip the coated glass in the coconut, so the coconut sticks to the rim. Set the prepared glasses aside.
Step 2 – Add the ice, pineapple juice, vodka, blue curacao, and cream of coconut to your favorite blender, then pulse it until smooth.
Step 3 – Pour into the decorated glasses and enjoy!
Recipe Details

Jack Frost Cocktail
Ingredients
Instructions
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On a small plate, add shredded coconut. Wet the rim of a glass with simple syrup (can also use simple syrup, but it won’t hold the coconut as well) and gently dab the top the glass in the shredded coconut, coating the rim. See above video for example. Set glass aside.
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Add ice, pineapple juice, vodka, blue curacao, and cream of coconut to a food processor. Pulse until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
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Pour Jack Frost Winter Cocktail into prepared glasses.
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Serve immediately.
This is so cute and festive! I love that gorgeous color. The coconut around the rim is such a nice touch!
Thanks Faith! It was a little tricky to do, but well worth the look 😀
Those look so delish! Must try!
Eleventh & Sixteenth
Thanks Kimberly!
What a fun and festive drink! I’m a huge fan of coconut, so I’m thinking I may need to try this one out! Thanks for sharing!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Thanks Shannon! If you try it, I hope it turns out great 😀
is it wrong to want one with breakfast …these are SO fun!!
Well, coconut is a fruit, and fruit is totally acceptable for breakfast, so… 😀
I love coconut so this is right up my alley! Plus it’s so pretty!
Thanks Becky!
Definitely trying this recipe! Looks and sounds DELECTABLE!
Thank you Joanae!
The color of this cocktail is absolutely gorgeous! Love it so much! I have to admit: I like coconut in food but not in drinks, but I’d make an exception to try out this lovely concoction. I’ve been trying not to work as much this week as well, but juggling it all is always tricky this time of year, isn’t it? Hope you have a great holiday!
Hope you had a great holiday as well Marlynn! And a Happy New Year 😀
This not only sounds delicious, but looks great for this time of year! Very creative!
Thanks Willow!
This looks so yummy! The coconut garnish is such a clever way to make it wintery!
~Alana Robin
http://sophisticationandsparkles.com/
Thank you Alana!
I hear you on needing a break for the holidays. And this drink is so colorful! How fun!
I’m sure you understand how it is 😀 Thanks Matt!
I have never heard of cream of coconut. I think I’ll have to try it, though, because these are some of the coolest cocktails I’ve ever seen.
Cream of coconut was a new one for me, too – I had to hunt it down in the international food isle. Made for a very flavorful drink, though 😀
Yummmm, and also so dang cute!
Thanks Angie!
This drink sounds delicious, and I love the gorgeous color with white trim. I can’t wait to make this over the holidays. Thanks
Thanks Aarika! If you made it, I hope it turned out great 😀
Love them – the color is so pretty & anything that has pineapple + coconut, I’m game to try 🙂
Thanks Molly!
Oh. my. gosh. Not only is this the most gorgeous color ever, but I bet it tastes amazing!
Thank you Chelsea 😀
What a gorgeous, festive winter cocktail! Sounds amazing.
Thanks Sarah!
Where did you find those glasses? They’re perfect. I can’t find them anywhere! Thanks!
Hey Jill! I’ve had them for a while, but I want to say I got them at either Pier One or Kirklands. They have writing on the sides of the glass, like joy, cheer, etc, but the glasses are turned so you can’t see it. I just did a bit of searching – these glasses are similar, but the ones I got were MUCH cheaper: http://www.pier1.com/schott-zwiesel%C2%AE-pure-4-piece-champagne-flute-set/PR4510.html?cgid=wine-glasses You might get lucky finding something at Ross (it’s my go-to place when I need pretty glasses at a discount).
Can you just use Malibu rum in place of the cream of coconut? It is impossible to find here.
Hey there! I’ve tried to use a few substitutions for cream of coconut in the past and haven’t had much luck. You could try the Malibu rum but the cocktail will need a sweetener (like sugar or simple syrup) and won’t have a creamy look. I know cream of coconut is hard to find, but I tend to find it in the wine & spirits area. You can also buy it online here: http://amzn.to/2u4rAT1
Can’t wait to try this! I love festive cocktails. This looks perfect to share with friends at a festive cocktail party!
I’m wondering if I can make it similar with spiced rum and coconut rum- just not sure how blue curacao will taste with the spiced rum.