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Looking for a sophisticated tropical escape that goes beyond the typical tiki drink? We’ve discovered the perfect blend of French monastery meets Caribbean paradise in the Piña Verde. This chartreuse-forward cocktail transforms the familiar Piña Colada into something extraordinarily elegant.

A ribbed glass filled with a piña verde cocktail garnished with mint and pineapple leaves sits alongside lime slices, with a pineapple and a glass of yellow liquid in the background.

What Is a Piña Verde Cocktail?

The Piña Verde is an elevated riff on the classic Piña Colada, swapping traditional rum for green Chartreuse – a complex herbal liqueur crafted by French Carthusian monks since 1737. The result is a sophisticated tropical cocktail that balances rich coconut and bright pineapple with 130 botanical elements.

A piña verde in a ribbed glass, garnished with mint leaves, sits on a marble surface alongside a pineapple, glass of juice, lime halves, and mint against a black background.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • FUN TWIST – The herbaceous complexity of Chartreuse elevates this tropical cocktail far beyond its beach-bar roots.
  • CREAMY – Despite its sophisticated profile, it maintains the creamy, refreshing character that makes tropical cocktails so irresistible.

What You Need to Make a Piña Verde Cocktail

    • Green Chartreuse: A historic herbal liqueur that brings layers of botanical complexity
    • Pineapple Juice: Fresh is preferred, bringing natural sweetness and tropical brightness
    • Lime Juice: Adds necessary acidity to balance the sweet elements
    • Cream of Coconut: Rich, smooth coconut cream that creates the signature silky texture
    • Mint: A fresh garnish that complements the herbal notes of the Chartreuse

    How to Make a Piña Verde Drink

    1. Combine Green Chartreuse, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and cream of coconut in a shaker.
    2. Fill with ice and shake vigorously until properly chilled and aerated.
    3. Strain over fresh crushed ice, allowing the drink to form a lush, snowy texture.
    4. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, lightly slapped to release its aromatic oils.
    • A hand places ice cubes into a metal cocktail shaker beside a pineapple and lime wedges on a marble surface.
    • On a marble surface, a person pours Green Chartreuse from a brass jigger into a metal cocktail shaker, with pineapple and lime halves nearby.
    • A person pours cream of coconut into a metal shaker beside a pineapple and lime halves on marble.
    • A Piña Verde cocktail is strained into an ice-filled glass surrounded by lime halves and mint leaves.

    Expert Recipe Tips

    • Tip 1: Use only real cream of coconut (like Coco Lopez), not coconut milk or coconut cream – the formulation is crucial for proper texture.
    • Tip 2: Fresh pineapple juice makes a noticeable difference; if using canned, choose 100% juice without added sugars.
    • Tip 3: Double-strain through a fine-mesh strainer to ensure silky smoothness.
    A green icy piña verde in a ridged glass, garnished with mint and aloe, sits on a wooden board with lime halves and mint leaves nearby on a marble surface.

    How to Serve This Piña Verde Cocktail

    Serve in a hurricane glass or tall collins glass over crushed ice. The mint garnish should be prominent and aromatic, creating an inviting first impression.

    More Cocktail Recipes

    SEE MORE COCKTAILS

    Intrigued by Chartreuse? Explore our collection of herbaceous cocktails or discover more elevated tropical drinks in our Modern Tiki section.

    Pina Verde Cocktail Recipe

    The Piña Verde upgrades the familiar tropical cocktail with the complex herbaceous notes of Green Chartreuse. This sophisticated blend marries French monastic tradition with Caribbean flavors, creating an unexpectedly elegant warm-weather sipper that's perfect for discerning palates.
    Print Recipe
    A piña verde cocktail garnished with mint leaves sits in a glass on a table with pineapple, lime, and a small glass of juice against a dark background.
    Prep Time:5 minutes
    Total Time:5 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz green chartreuse
    • 2 oz pineapple juice
    • 1 oz lime juice
    • 1 oz cream of coconut
    • Mint for garnish

    Instructions

    • Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
    • Shake until chilled.
    • Strain into a glass over crushed iced.
    • Garnish
    Servings: 1 cocktail

    Recipe FAQs

    Q: Can I substitute Yellow Chartreuse?

    A: While possible, Green Chartreuse’s higher proof (110) and more intense herbal profile are essential to the cocktail’s character.

    Q: Why crushed ice instead of cubed?

    A: Crushed ice creates the proper dilution rate and gives the drink its signature frosty texture.

    Q: How long should I shake this cocktail?

    A: Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds to properly emulsify the cream of coconut with the other ingredients.

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    Award-winning cocktail maker, picture taker, content writer, editor, and all around imbiber behind the Libation Chronicles and a few other fun projects.

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