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 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.
How do you make a lava flow?
To make a lava flow you’ll need:
- 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.
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, 1/2 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.
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.
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
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!
