For those of you who’ve been to DC in the summer, or visited as a non-annoying tourist on their 8th grade trip, you know it gets hot – and humid. So, Texans, you get it. Y’all know the kinda heat that makes you sweat between leaving your front door and walking to your car. At those moments, nothing sounds better than a cold drink to cool you off.

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When I ran into my friend Hank at the gym, he told me he was working on perfecting the perfect piña colada before the end of the summer. After a handful of tries, this protégé mixologist was confident he found a winner. So, with a little insider info from my pal, Hank, he told me the secret ingredient to the perfect colada was Coco Real. This is a coconut cream product comprised of coconut meat, coconut milk and sugar cane.

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But no piña colada is complete without rum, right? And what better way to enjoy a cocktail on a stick!? These popsicles will truly blow your mind, and they are so easy to make. The best part is, most popsicle molds come as a set of 10, so you’re already set up to share these with your friends!

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You might be wondering:

I thought you couldn’t freeze alcohol?

You’re partially right. However, if you keep a 1:5 ratio of liquor to nonalcoholic mix, you’re in the clear. In plain terms, that means 1 ounce of rum to 5 ounces of piña mixture in a single pop. Citric acid like lime or lemon juice also contribute to lowering a mixture’s freezing point. If you’re interested in digging further into this science, you can Google it because you’re not gonna find it here!

What kind of rum should I use?

I’d say for this recipe, any white rum will do. If you’re watching your wallet, a safe bet is Malibu. When I went to the liquor store, there was a Rondaiz Coconut Rum on sale so I went for it. This definitely elevated the flavor of the pops in the best way.

‍How do I pick a fresh pineapple at the grocery store?

You want a yellow-ish pineapple that’s slightly soft and gives a little when you touch it. If the bottom of the fruit smells sweet, fruity and ripe, that’s usually a sign it’s ready to eat!

Where do I get a popsicle mold?

Two ways: either buy one on Amazon like I did here, or use Dixie cups from home! It all depends on what kind of aesthetic you’re going for. The pros for the ones on Amazon are they come with the mold, a lid (easier for pushing in the sticks), popsicle sticks and a funnel for easy pours.

Can I see a video of these being made?

Absolutely! Here's my reel on IG.