CurtisJ  ·  Chi Chi – Hawaii’s Vodka Piña Colada
Chi Chi – Hawaii’s Vodka Piña Colada
Photographed in CurtisJ’s Honolulu kitchen · January 2026

Recipe · Island Drinks

Chi Chi – Hawaii’s Vodka Piña Colada

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If you've ever sat at a bar in Hawaii and heard someone order a Chi Chi, you might have wondered what exactly makes it different from a piña colada. Simple answer: vodka instead of rum. That one swap changes everythin...

If you've ever sat at a bar in Hawaii and heard someone order a Chi Chi, you might have wondered what exactly makes it different from a piña colada.

Simple answer: vodka instead of rum.

That one swap changes everything. The Chi Chi is lighter, smoother, and lets the tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut shine without the heavier molasses notes of rum.

Chi Chi

Hawaii's vodka version of the piña colada – lighter, smoother, and dangerously easy to drink. Creamy coconut and pineapple with clean vodka punch.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients (Frozen Version)

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 2 oz cream of coconut (like Coco Lopez)
  • 4 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 cup ice
  • Pineapple wedge and cherry, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and slushy.
  3. Pour into a hurricane glass or large glass.
  4. Garnish with pineapple wedge and cherry.

Serve immediately.

On the Rocks Version: Shake vodka, 1.5 oz cream of coconut, and 3 oz pineapple juice with ice. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.

Recipe

Ingredients
  • 3 oz vodka
  • 4 oz pineapple juice
  • 3 oz coconut cream
  • 2 cups ice
Instructions
  1. 01Blend the vodka, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and ice until smooth and thick.
  2. 02Taste and adjust with a splash more pineapple juice if you want the drink lighter and brighter.
  3. 03Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately.
  4. 04Finish with grated nutmeg, pineapple, or nothing at all if you want the drink clean and simple.

Prep
5 min
Cook
Total
5 min
Yield
2 servings

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