The lava flow is a blended frozen cocktail with strawberry, coconut and pineapple flavors that are sure to transport you right to a tropical island in the sun! Next time try a tequila sunrise or pineapple cooler.
Drinking a Lava Flow brings me right back to our Hawaiian honeymoon. I consumed more than my fair share of Mai Tais and Lava Flows during our two week stay.
I take on sip, and I am instantly transported to a cabana on the beach, the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, the smell of coconut sunblock and wild hibiscus.
Can I be there again. Right now. Please?
Thankfully, making one isn’t difficult and only requires a handful of ingredients for you to enjoy your own tropical staycation.
Is a Lava Flow the same as a Miami Vice?
Real quick – don’t you just love cocktail names? Some of them are so outrageous, it just brings me so much joy.
Anyway – a Lava Flow is very similar to a Miami Vice, but they are actually different drinks.
A Miami Vice is basically a Strawberry Daiquiri mixed with a Piña Colada, but separated in the glass for presentation. A Lava Flow doesn’t include that lime juice, and instead traditionally adds banana (more on that later) – so really, a Lava Flow is kinda like a Banana Daiquiri mixed with a Piña Colada.
How do you make a lava flow?
To make a lava flow you’ll need the follow ingredients and equipment:
- a blender (aff link)
- frozen strawberries
- coconut and light rums
- cream of coconut
- pineapple juice
- ice
- You’ll make the drink in two phases. First, by blending strawberries with both rums – then dividing them evenly between two glasses.
- Then you’ll rinse out the blender (aff link) and combine cream of coconut, pineapple juice and use and blend until smooth.
- You’ll slowly pour the coconut mixture into the two glasses with strawberry puree, being sure to divide it evenly.
And because one of the best things about fruity, tropical drinks are the garnish, add a pineapple wedge or strawberry and serve with a long straw!
You’ll notice the mixture look more “swirly” after a minute or so as it settles.
Wait… doesn’t a Lava Flow include banana?
Traditionally, yes. But as someone who really, really dislikes the flavor of banana in her drinks (I’m like the princess and the pea of banana in beverages), I choose to omit it and compensate by adjusting the other ingredient quantities.
Making lava flow with banana
However, if you enjoy the addition of banana and want to keep it traditional, here’s how to adjust the recipe:
- Reduce cream of coconut to 4 ounces, pineapple juice to 4 ounces and crushed ice to 1 cup
- Add 1 small banana during the second blend (with the cream of coconut and pineapple juice)
I admit that the result with banana is thicker and more creamy, so I don’t think you can lose either way!
Make your own cream of coconut
Oh no! You’re out of cream of coconut? Don’t stress.
If you need a substitute for cream of coconut, combine 4 ounces coconut cream, ½ cup granulated sugar and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring frequently until the sugar is dissolved.
Let cool then transfer to container and chill in the fridge until ready to use.
Don’t have coconut rum?
No problem. You can use regular spiced rum in place of coconut rum, but change it to 3 ounces light rum and 5 ounces cream of coconut.
How to make a virgin Lava Flow
If you need a non-alcoholic Lava Flow, thankfully, this is very easy – just omit the rum!
If you’re a fan of any of the nonalcoholic rum alternatives out there in the market, feel free to just do a 1:1 substitute of those for the alcoholic rum in the recipe.
What kind of glass should it be served in?
Ideally, a lava flow should be served in a hurricane glass for the ultimate in tropical fruity drink enjoyment!
But what you see pictured here are tulip style beer glasses, and you could also use a tall highball glass – as long as it can hold 16 ounces, it should work.
Can you freeze frozen cocktails?
Here’s something I love about frozen alcoholic drinks – you can make them ahead of time and store them in the freezer for later! Just make sure you put them in a freezer-safe container, and then when you’re ready to serve just give it a quick blend before serving.
After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
Lava Flow Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 ounces strawberries, frozen
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- 2 ounces light rum
- 6 ounces cream of coconut
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ½ cups crushed ice
Instructions
- In a blender, combine strawberries, coconut rum and light rum and puree. Divide evenly between two glasses.
- In the cleaned blender, combine cream of coconut, pineapple juice and crushed ice and blend until combined and smooth.
- Slowly pour the coconut mixture into the two glasses with strawberry puree (divided evenly). Garnish with pineapple wedge and/or strawberry, a long straw and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Let us know what you think!