"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 after all. But unfortunately, my Weight Watchers conscience kicked in, adding, 'But if you have it in a smaller size...' Damn that do-gooder's voice! 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!
![2 Miami Vice Mocktails with straws and lime wedge and cherry garnishes](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Miami-Vice-Mocktail.jpg)
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)!
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 in a water slide
🍁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 the Miami Vice obviously has American roots, it's still the ideal red and white Canada Day drink!
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.
🥘 Ingredients
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 that prefer it with alcohol. All you need for this recipe is:
- Pina Colada Mix
- Strawberry Daiquiri Mix
- ice
- rum extract (or dark rum or white rum, if you prefer)
- frozen strawberries (you could substitute fresh strawberries and add more ice)
- lime wedges and maraschino cherries (optional garnishes)
![Miami Vice Mocktail with lime and cherry garnish](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Miami-Vice-Mocktail-recipe.jpg)
🍽 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.
🔪 Instructions
- Add Pina colada mix and ice to blender and blend for 20-30 second, until blended.
- Pour into jug and place in the freezer while you make the strawberry daiquiri portion.
- Rinse blender thoroughly.
- Add strawberry daiquiri mix and frozen strawberries together and blend until smooth/no lumps. *See storing (below) if you are making this in advance.
- Mix rum extract with Pina colada mixture. * if you want to separate some and add regular rum to it, this would be the time to do that.
- Pour Pina colada mixture into bottom half of the glass, dividing between both glasses
- 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.
- Garnish with a lime wedge or pineapple wedge.
![](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Miami-Vice-Instructions.jpg)
💭 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.
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes- a Miami Vice Mocktail be easily spiked by simply adding rum instead of rum extract!
A Miami Vice is a frozen drink that's a combination of a Pina Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri.
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!
![frozen cheesecake on faux wooden surface with red and white checkered napkins in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Miami-Vice-Frozen-Cheesecake-1.jpg)
And be sure to try my Frozen Piña Colada Mocktail too!
![2 healthy Pina Colada glasses clinking together](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pina-Colada-No-Alcohol.jpg)
![2 Miami Vice drinks on white wooden surface with a blue sky background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Miami-Vice-Recipe-300x300.jpg)
![Food Meandering Logo](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/header2-1.png)
📋 Miami Vice Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Pina colada mix
- 3 cups crushed ice
- 1 teaspoon rum extract
- 2 ¼ cups 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 20-30 second, until blended.
- Pour into jug and place in the freezer while you make the strawberry daiquiri portion.
- Rinse blender thoroughly.
- Add strawberry daiquiri mix and frozen strawberries together in blender and blend until smooth/no lumps.
- Stir in rum extract to Pina colada mixture and mix. * if you want to separate some and add regular rum to it, this would be the time to do that.
- 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 using
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!