Cocktail Hour: Vacation in a glass

Had a bad day? A tiring week?  Got some bad news?  Got some good news?  For any of these situations, what you need is a vacation in glass.  This weekend I needed a vacation in a glass.  I had my last day at work at one job on Friday and on Monday I start a new job.  With only two days in between, instead of a trip to the tropics I decided to take myself there with this drink.   Anything with a little pink umbrella in it makes you relax! Here is my version of a Pina Colada which is always my tropical drink of choice because it is so creamy and it truly transports you to "vacationland."  With this version I lightened it up a bit by using regular coconut milk instead of creme de coco, which is delicious but filled with added sugar.  This Pina Colada is probably less sweet than what you would find a beach side bar in the Bahamas, but it is still yummy and still feels naughty.  Now if I could just put my feet in the sand and hear the ocean I would be set...  Oh well, we make do with the situation at hand.
 Wendy's Pina Colada

Kick back and give yourself a treat and make this drink, maybe even on a weeknight if you want to throw caution to the wind, and I promise it will provide instant relaxation.  You can almost hear some steel drums playing, right?

Ingredients (for 1 jumbo drink, because you deserve it)
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks with any accumulated juice
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon sugar
3 ounces rum
1 handful of ice
slice of pineapple and tablespoon of toasted coconut flakes for garnish
Note: To toast coconut just toss it in a dry pan over medium heat until lightly browned.  It will burn quick so be alert.

Directions: Combine all ingredients except garnishes in a blender and blend away.  Garnish with pineapple and coconut and if you can find it a pink umbrella.