Lava Flow Cocktail Recipe

Nothing says “tropical escape” quite like a Lava Flow Cocktail that swirls creamy piña colada flavors with sweet strawberry daiquiri vibes. I just love how it looks—like molten lava in a glass—but it tastes way cooler and super refreshing.

Every sip brings a blend of coconut, pineapple, and strawberry that honestly feels like a mini vacation.

Let’s make this tropical cocktail at home using simple ingredients and basic bar tools. You don’t need bartending skills to pull off those pretty layers or a smooth texture.

Once you get the hang of it, you can whip this up for a summer party or just treat yourself on a chill evening.

The recipe below breaks things down step by step. You’ll see what equipment I use, the ingredients, and the instructions in easy bullet lists. I’ve also tossed in some tasting notes at the end to explain what makes this lava flow drink so good.

Lava Flow Cocktail Recipe

Whenever I crave something that looks tropical and tastes fruity, I go for a Lava Flow. It’s got smooth coconut and banana, bright strawberry, and a swirl of rum that gives you those layered beachy vibes.

Equipment

I like to keep things simple so I can focus on flavor. The blender is key here—it makes everything creamy and smooth. I use a measuring jigger so the rum and juices don’t get out of control.

• Blender – mixes fruit and liquids evenly
• Measuring jigger – keeps pours accurate
• Sharp knife and cutting board – for slicing fruit
• Hurricane glass – shows off the swirl
• Cocktail spoon – helps with layering
• Cocktail umbrella or straw – just for fun

Chilling the glass before pouring keeps the drink cold longer.

Ingredients

I always go for ripe fruit and good rum if I can. Coconut and pineapple make a light tropical base, and strawberries add that pop of color and tartness.

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 oz light rum
• 1 oz coconut rum
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 small banana
• 2 oz cream of coconut
• 1 cup crushed ice

Making a virgin lava flow? I just skip the rum and toss in a bit more pineapple juice. It still tastes great and looks just as fun. I usually taste as I go and tweak the sweetness with more fruit or juice if needed.

Instructions

I always start by blending the strawberries so they make a thick red base. Then I blend the rest until it’s creamy and smooth.

• Blend strawberries with a splash of pineapple juice until smooth, then set aside.
• In a clean blender, toss in banana, cream of coconut, remaining pineapple juice, light rum, coconut rum, and ice. Blend until creamy.
• Pour the strawberry mix into the bottom of a hurricane glass.
• Slowly pour the coconut mixture over the top to get that swirl.
• Garnish with a cocktail umbrella or a slice of pineapple.

I serve it right away. That keeps the layers sharp and the drink nice and cold.

Notes

Frozen strawberries make the swirl thicker and really help the colors pop. If it turns out too sweet, I just add a bit more crushed ice or pineapple juice.

Sometimes I use a little less cream of coconut for a lighter drink. The virgin lava flow is a hit with kids or anyone skipping alcohol.

Honestly, I love serving this at small get-togethers. People always notice the layers, and the flavor hits the sweet spot between fruity and creamy.

Tasting Notes

I’ve gotta say, the Lava Flow cocktail has this smooth, creamy texture that just feels light on my tongue. That blend of fruit and coconut? It totally brings out a tropical vibe, like I’m biting into fresh pineapple and juicy strawberries.

With the first sip, I immediately get the sweetness of coconut cream and the tartness of pineapple juice. The strawberry purée sneaks in with a gentle fruity note, rounding things out without making the whole drink overly sweet.

I enjoy how the flavors kind of hang out on their own at first, then start to mingle together as I keep sipping. And honestly, the swirl of red and yellow looks gorgeous—the scent of coconut and fruit really pulls you in.

The contrast between the cool fruit layer and the rich coconut base is probably my favorite part. It’s refreshing, smooth, and just ridiculously easy to drink when it’s warm outside.