Smoothie: Lava Flow Drink

By NicoleS

Note: I have always found the cream of coconut in the mixed drinks aisle (the cream of coconut is non-alcoholic). Refrigerate each component after blending to keep them really cold before assembling the drinks but don't make too far ahead because the icy components in a few of the steps will melt.

Ingredients

• Strawberry slush:
• Pina colada: (Alternate: use prepared pina colada mix and blend with ice)
• 1 3/4 cups pineapple juice
• 1 can (15-ounces) cream of coconut (like Coco Lopez brand)
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• Ice
• 12 ounces frozen strawberries, slightly thawed
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Ice
• Fresh pineapple for garnish, if desired

Preparation

Step 1

Mix the strawberrys with the sugar in a bowl and allow to macerate for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.

In a blender, puree the slightly thawed strawberries with 1/2 cup water. The mixture should be syrupy and thick. Transfer to a liquid measure, bowl or pitcher and set aside.

In a pitcher, whisk together the pineapple juice, cream of coconut and half-and-half. (Or just use pina colada mix) In a blender (washed from pureeing the strawberries), fill up halfway with ice. Pour in the pina colada mixture until it comes up to an even height with the ice. Blend until slushy (add more coconut/pineapple mixture if it is too thick to blend easily).

Pour about an inch of the strawberry syrup mixture into a cup. Pour the icy coconut/pineapple mixture into the center of the strawberry mixture in the cup until the cup is filled. If desired, gently swirl the mixture with a straw. Garnish with fresh pineapple, if desired, and serve immediately.