"I'll have what he's having," I replied to the bartender, pointing towards the enormous, decadent red and white slushy drink in the guy's hand. I'd never said that in my life and wow did it feel good! I was on vacation 🙂 A few of those glorious, cool, refreshing drinks later, I found out what it was called -"A Miami Vice drink." And it was absolutely heavenly! Half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Pina Colada, this frozen drink hybrid known as a Miami Vice Mocktail is a delicious non alcoholic version of the favorite Miami Vice drink (cocktail.)
I never imagined going to a water park on my summer holidays could be soo much fun, especially after my traumatic experience years ago. But this water park was very different... I decided that when I got home, I was going to make a Miami Vice Mocktail so my kids could also enjoy all the deliciousness that is this glorious combo of Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri! But the really great thing about this drink is that it can be made with or without alcohol (rum)! And it's the ideal red and white Canada Day drink!
Jump to:
I'm not much of a cocktail girl; wine is my go-to drink. And if I think a place will have bad wine, then I will simply order a beer (preferably a craft beer). But for some reason, maybe because the vacation brain was in charge, I wanted whatever colorful, decadent, slushy beverage that guy was indulging in- the Miami Vice.
However painful it is when your kids are no longer little, the silver lining is that they become more independent. And because we were at a water park in a private resort, our kids were old enough that they could go off on their own and periodically check back in with us.
And even better, I didn't have to go down any water slides like I did when they were little! Did I mention I hate water slides? It's funny that someone who could spend every spare minute at a water park in their teens would end up hating them so much. But that's exactly what happens when you get stuck on a water slide.
🥘 Ingredient Notes
Half Strawberry Daiquiri and half Pina Colada, this frozen non alcoholic drink, known as a Miami Vice Mocktail, is a delicious alcohol-free version of the favorite Miami Vice drink (cocktail.) It's a cool and refreshing summer drink and the perfect red and white Canada Day drink. It can also be spiked with rum for those who prefer it with alcohol. All you need for this recipe is:
- Pina Colada & Strawberry Daiquiri Cocktail Mixes. You can buy Pina Colada & Strawberry Daiquiri drink mix in most grocery stores in the drink aisle or online.
- Ice. You can use ice cubes, but you will need a high-powered blender (and more ice).
- Rum extract. Use rum extract for a mocktail or turn it into a cocktail with dark rum or white rum, if you prefer!
- Frozen strawberries. You can either use sliced or whole frozen strawberries. Or you could substitute fresh strawberries and add more ice.
- Maraschino cherries. Make sure you get the "Cocktail cherries with stems"!
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Weight Watchers Friendly. You can buy 'skinny mixes' (sugar-free) in grocery stores or online.
- Lighter Version: For a less-rich drink, you can substitute some of the Pina Colada mix with coconut water
- From Scratch. You can make your own cocktail mixes from scratch!
🍁Canada Day Drink
Although my kids are growing up too fast, they aren't quite grown up enough for alcohol. And since I like to make them special drinks, I loved this drink so much that I wanted to share that joy with them, in a wholesome, non-alcoholic way!
And even though this Miami Vice obviously has American roots, it's still the ideal red and white Canada Day drink!
Looking for more red and white Canada Day ideas? Check out these Canada Day Desserts!
I love that you don't have to make 2 different drinks!
- you can simply keep the kids non-alcoholic and add rum (if desired) for the grown-ups!
- Make it in a clear plastic glass for kids
As a University Student, I worked a summer job where I planned recreational activities for adults with disabilities. One of our activities was a trip to a water park, which ended with me and one of these poor young people grinding to a halt in the middle of a slide; for some reason, there wasn't enough water coming down the slide to propel us forward. And after several minutes of panic and mad paddling, I saw an enormous shape careening toward us. And that was the end of my love affair with water slides.
I will never forget the moment the extremely large woman crashed into us, sending us spiraling out of control down the remainder of the tube. Although we only suffered very minor injuries, there was a lot of snot, tears, and even some blood. But most importantly, there was psychological injury (aka water slide hatred). And from that day forward, I have not enjoyed water parks in the same way
🔪How to Make a Virgin Miami Vice Drink
- Step 1: Add Pina Colada mix and ice to the blender and blend for 20-30 seconds, until blended.
- Step 2: Pour into a jug and place in the freezer while you make the strawberry daiquiri portion. Mix rum extract with the Pina colada mixture. * If you want to separate some and add regular rum to it, this would be the time to do that. Rinse the blender thoroughly.
- Step 3: Add strawberry daiquiri mix and frozen strawberries together and blend until smooth/no lumps. *See storing (below) if you are making this in advance.
- Step 4: Pour Pina colada mixture into bottom half of the glass on an angle, pushing down with a spoon, dividing between both glasses.
- Step 5: Then add the frozen stawberry dacquiri layer to other half of each glass over the piña colada layer. Push down strawberry mixture on one side and stir slightly with a spoon or straw to get the desired look.
- Step 6: Garnish with a slice of lime and a maraschino cherry.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Blend each layer thoroughly. This ensures the ice and fruit are fully incorporated for a smooth, creamy slush that layers well.
- Rinse the blender well between layers. This keeps the colors clean and prevents the layers from mixing prematurely.
- Freeze each layer separately if prepping ahead. Keeping the piña colada and strawberry mixtures separate helps maintain the distinct layered look when serving.
- Don't skip the garnish! A lime wedge and maraschino cherry add a festive touch and enhance the presentation.
- Use crushed ice for easier blending. It creates a smoother texture, especially if your blender isn't high-powered.
- Add rum (or extract) after blending. This makes it easier to control flavor and adjust the alcohol content for different audiences.
- Layer carefully to create the swirl effect. Use a spoon to press each layer in and swirl gently with a straw for a marbled look.
- Chill glasses beforehand. This helps keep the drink colder longer and slows down melting.
- Use clear tall glasses for impact. Hurricane or highball glasses show off the red and white layers beautifully.
🥗 What to Serve with this Virgin Miami Vice
This is a great drink for patio or poolside sipping and pairs perfectly with savory snack foods like this Nacho dip recipe (shown), Homemade California Rolls, Tortilla Chicken Pinwheels, or Air Fryer Pizza Bites!
🍽 Equipment
You are going to need a blender for this Virgin Miami Vice recipe! I recommend you use a 20 oz hurricane glass (affiliate links) or another tall cocktail glass for the best look and results. I used the smaller, more modern stemmed hurricane glass in the process photos and the larger classic hurricane glasses in the main photos/hero shots.
How is this Miami Vice drink stored?
You can make this refreshing drink in advance and simply store it in juice jugs in the freezer (that's what I do). You'll want to keep the Pina colada part and the strawberry daiquiri separate so that when you put it together, it looks like the photo! I also store the leftovers the same way. If you are adding actual rum, add it just before serving.
❔ Recipe FAQ's
Yes- a Miami Vice Mocktail can be easily spiked by simply adding rum instead of rum extract!
Yes, although you'll lose the visual appeal, blending everything together will still create a delicious tropical slush!
Yes, use sugar-free versions of the cocktail mixes and opt for strawberries with no added sugar. Be sure to check labels, as many mixes contain significant sugar
Absolutely! Simply scale up each ingredient proportionally and blend in batches. Store each layer in separate jugs in the freezer and assemble just before serving
And thanks to The Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells and their consideration for all the adults in tow (via lazy rivers, swim-up bars, and Miami Vice drinks), I have acquired a whole new appreciation for water parks, so much so that we're even planning on going back this summer!
And although many years have passed since that traumatic experience, I'll still be sticking to the swim-up bars, lazy rivers, and Miami Vices, while my independent kids enjoy all the joy the water slides bring to their lives. And now I've turned this famous cocktail and refreshing summer drink into a mocktail for my kids to enjoy! And did they ever....
In fact, we love this drink so much, it inspired me to make a Miami Vice Frozen Cheesecake!
And If you love frozen Mocktails, be sure to try my Coconut Blue Raspberry Slushie too!
🥤More Mocktails (non alcoholic drinks)!
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📋 Miami Vice Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Pina colada mix
- 3 cups crushed ice (or 5 cups of ice cubes)
- 1 teaspoon rum extract
- 2 ¼ cups sliced or whole strawberries, frozen
- 1 ½ cups Strawberry Daiquiri mix
Garnish
- lime slice, halved
- maraschino cherries with stems
Instructions
- Add Pina colada mix and ice to blender and blend for 10-30 seconds, until blended. *if you are using ice cubes you'll need to blend it for the full 30 seconds (be careful not to overmix)1 ½ cups Pina colada mix, 3 cups crushed ice
- Pour into jug and stir in rum extract and place in the freezer while you make the strawberry daiquir. * if you want to separate some and add regular rum to it, this would be the time to do that.1 teaspoon rum extract
- Rinse blender thoroughly.
- Add strawberry daiquiri mix and frozen strawberries together in blender and blend until smooth/no lumps.2 ¼ cups sliced or whole strawberries, frozen, 1 ½ cups Strawberry Daiquiri mix
- Pour Pina colada mixture into bottom half of the glass, dividing between both glasses.
- Then add stawberry dacquiri mix to other half of each glass. Push down strawberry mixture on one side and stir slightly with a spoon or straw to get desired look.
Garnish
- Garnish with half a slice of lime and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately. *Keep mixture frozen when not usinglime slice, halved, maraschino cherries with stems
Notes
- Blend each layer thoroughly. This ensures the ice and fruit are fully incorporated for a smooth, creamy slush that layers well.
- Rinse the blender well between layers. This keeps the colors clean and prevents the layers from mixing prematurely.
- Freeze each layer separately if prepping ahead. Keeping the piña colada and strawberry mixtures separate helps maintain the distinct layered look when serving.
- Don't skip the garnish! A lime wedge and maraschino cherry add a festive touch and enhance the presentation.
- Use crushed ice for easier blending. It creates a smoother texture, especially if your blender isn't high-powered.
- Add rum (or extract) after blending. This makes it easier to control flavor and adjust the alcohol content for different audiences.
- Layer carefully to create the swirl effect. Use a spoon to press each layer in and swirl gently with a straw for a marbled look.
- Chill glasses beforehand. This helps keep the drink colder longer and slows down melting.
- Use clear tall glasses for impact. Hurricane or highball glasses show off the red and white layers beautifully.
Evelyn
How long can it be stored in the freezer before it freezes solid?
Terri Gilson
Hi Evelyn,
I’d say about 12 hours. But if you leave it out for about 30 minutes, it will be the right consistency. Enjoy!
Terri
Sabrina
Oh I can relate on so many levels lol! My love of waterslides has diminished over the years and I had my first slide accident just a few months ago on our family vacation. Upside down w a sore neck after! And although I’m mostly a wine drinker, when your in the heat beside the pool, a slushy drink is where it’s at. This is delicious and I can’t wait to make it for friends out at the lake this summer, thanks Terri!
Terri Gilson
Oh Sabrina, I'm so sorry to hear that you, too, had a lousy waterslide experience! Well, at least we have an excuse to sip on the sidelines and sip cold drinks now, right?! Hope you enjoy the miami vice!
Colleen
What a horrible water park experience! I don't blame you for wanting to hang out drinking this amazingly refreshing drink. Alcohol or not, it looks delicious!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Colleen! But I am glad I can avoid waterslides at this stage of my life and sip cool drinks poolside.Yes, and I agree - whether it contains alcohol or not, it's super yummy!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Such a fun cocktail and almost too pretty to drink! Bet this would be so refreshing on a hot day...now just for some sun 😉
Terri Gilson
Hi Dawn- hope you are getting some sun, finally! It is fun to sip on a hot day!
Nina
What a beautiful drink! I will be making this for sure this summer!!!
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Nina! Yes, I would recommend it - it's a summer game -changer 🙂
Micki
This is so pretty! My kids are huge fans of fancy blender drinks, so this was a huge hit at our place. Super tasty, too!
Terri Gilson
Glad you guys loved it, Micki! It's well-loved around here too...
Joss
Great idea! We will be making this for Canada Day this year with your suggestion of alcoholic and non-alcoholic so that the kids feel included.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Joss! Hope you all enjoy it- my kids beg for it every weekend now 🙂 and of course, I can't wait to have it again, as well!
Karly
I'll take mine with alcohol please! Yum!
Terri Gilson
I did too, Karly! Soooo good!