Red Lobster Pina Colada Sauce: Recipe, Price & Calories
By Alex Rivera, Head of Menu Research | Prices Verified September 2026 Against the Red Lobster App.
Red Lobster serves an 8 oz. side portion of its signature pina colada sauce as a sweet and creamy dipping sauce. It is best known as the classic partner for coconut shrimp. Below you will find what it is, what it costs, its calories, and a simple copycat recipe to make it at home. See the full Red Lobster menu with prices to plan your visit.
Quick answer
Red Lobster pina colada sauce is a sweet, creamy, tropical dipping sauce made with coconut and pineapple flavors. It is sold as an 8 oz. side cup for about $3.99 and contains about 450 calories for the full cup. It is most famously served with Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp. A popular copycat version blends cream of coconut, sour cream, crushed pineapple, and lemon juice in about 5 minutes.
Pina colada sauce at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Menu item | Pina colada sauce (dipping sauce) |
| Portion | 8 oz. side cup |
| Served with | Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp |
| Price | About $3.99 (varies by location) |
| Calories | About 450 (full 8 oz. cup) |
| Flavor | Sweet, creamy, tropical |
| Alcohol | None (despite the cocktail name) |
What is pina colada sauce?
Pina colada sauce is a sweet and creamy tropical dipping sauce. Its flavor comes from coconut and pineapple. It is smooth, rich, and lightly tangy.
The name comes from the famous pina colada cocktail. But the sauce itself contains no alcohol. It is simply a dessert-style dip with tropical flavor.
What it is served with at Red Lobster
At Red Lobster, pina colada sauce is the signature dipping sauce for Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp, served with both the appetizer and entree versions. The crispy coconut coating and the cool, sweet dip are a classic match.
It also complements other fried seafood items. Many guests ask for extra sauce on the side. Availability of extra portions can vary by restaurant.
Price
Red Lobster sells pina colada sauce as an 8 oz. side cup for about $3.99 when purchased a la carte. Prices vary by location and ordering platform.
Check the current price in the Red Lobster app or on redlobster.com before you order. Prices change often and differ by market.
Calories and nutrition
The full 8 oz. cup contains about 450 calories. That is much more than a single serving, which is roughly 100 calories. The high count comes from dairy fat and sugar, which create the rich, sweet flavor.
Approximate nutrition for the full 8 oz. cup:
| Nutrient | Approximate value | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 450 | – |
| Total fat | 20 to 25 g | 26% to 32% |
| Saturated fat | 15 to 18 g | 75% to 90% |
| Sodium | 180 to 220 mg | 8% to 10% |
| Total carbs | 65 to 75 g | 24% to 27% |
| Total sugars | 55 to 65 g | – |
| Protein | 0 to 5 g | – |
These are approximate values, not official lab-tested numbers. Treat this as a sweet, indulgent dip and enjoy it in moderation.
Ingredients
Red Lobster does not publish the exact proprietary recipe. Based on the known flavor profile, the key components are:
- Dairy base: cream or sour cream
- Coconut: cream of coconut or a coconut mix
- Pineapple: crushed pineapple or pineapple juice
- Sweeteners: sugars such as powdered sugar
- Acidity: a touch of lemon or lime juice for balance
This matches the copycat recipe below, which recreates the same style at home.
Copycat recipe: Red Lobster style pina colada sauce
This is a copycat recipe, not Red Lobster’s official formula. It captures the same sweet, tangy, and velvety style in about 5 minutes with no cooking.
Yield: about 8 oz.
Prep time: 5 minutes, plus 30 minutes chilling
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 1/2 cup cream of coconut, such as Coco Lopez (not coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup crushed pineapple, thoroughly drained
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Add the sour cream and cream of coconut to a medium bowl. Whisk gently until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the drained crushed pineapple, powdered sugar, and lemon juice.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling lets the flavors blend and thickens the sauce.
- Stir once before serving.
Pro tips
- Drain the pineapple completely. Press it in a fine mesh strainer or squeeze it with paper towels. Extra liquid makes the dip watery.
- Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled. It gives a bright pop that balances the sweetness.
- Do not use an electric mixer. It can thin out the sour cream too much.
Can you buy Red Lobster pina colada sauce separately?
Red Lobster sells pina colada sauce as an 8 oz. side cup with menu items, or a la carte for about $3.99. Unlike the Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix, the sauce is not sold in grocery stores.
If you want it at home, the copycat recipe above is the closest option. Many home cooks also use it as a fruit dip or a topping for desserts.
What to eat it with
Beyond Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp, this sauce pairs well with:
- Walt’s Favorite Shrimp
- Shrimp skewers
- Chicken tenders
- Grilled shrimp
- Fresh fruit like strawberries and pineapple chunks
- Pound cake or angel food cake as a dessert dip
Allergens and dietary notes
Based on the typical ingredients in this sauce:
| Allergen | Presence |
|---|---|
| Milk (dairy) | Yes |
| Tree nuts (coconut) | Yes |
| Soy | Possible |
| Gluten / wheat | Unlikely |
Coconut is classified as a tree nut for allergen labeling. The sauce is not dairy free. Guests with serious allergies should check Red Lobster’s official allergen guide or ask the restaurant directly, since recipes can change.
Frequently asked questions
What is Red Lobster pina colada sauce?
It is a sweet, creamy, tropical dipping sauce with coconut and pineapple flavors. Red Lobster sells it as an 8 oz. side cup for about $3.99. It is the signature sauce for Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp.
What is pina colada sauce made of?
The exact recipe is not public. The key components are a dairy base such as cream or sour cream, coconut in the form of cream of coconut, pineapple, sweeteners like powdered sugar, and a touch of lemon or lime juice for balance.
How do you make Red Lobster pina colada sauce at home?
Whisk 1 cup sour cream with 1/2 cup cream of coconut. Fold in 1/4 cup well-drained crushed pineapple, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Chill 30 minutes before serving. This is a copycat approximation, not the official recipe.
How much is pina colada sauce at Red Lobster?
About $3.99 for the 8 oz. side cup when purchased a la carte. Prices vary by location and ordering platform, so check the Red Lobster app for the current price near you.
How many calories are in pina colada sauce?
About 450 calories for the full 8 oz. cup. A single serving is roughly 100 calories. The high count comes from dairy fat and sugar.
Does pina colada sauce have alcohol in it?
No. Despite the cocktail-inspired name, the dipping sauce is non-alcoholic. It is a sweet tropical dip, not a drink.
What do you eat with pina colada sauce?
Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp is the classic pairing. It also goes well with Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, shrimp skewers, chicken tenders, fresh fruit, and even pound cake as a dessert dip.
Can you buy Red Lobster pina colada sauce separately?
Yes, as an 8 oz. side cup at the restaurant for about $3.99. But unlike the Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix, it is not sold in grocery stores. The copycat recipe above is the best at-home option.
Is pina colada sauce gluten free?
Gluten and wheat are unlikely based on the typical ingredients. But this is not officially confirmed, and cross contact is possible in restaurant kitchens. Check with Red Lobster directly if you have celiac disease or a serious sensitivity.
Why does the 8 oz. sauce have 450 calories?
The calories come mostly from dairy fat, such as sour cream or cream of coconut, plus the sugar that creates its signature sweet flavor. A single serving is only about 100 calories.
How long does homemade pina colada sauce last in the fridge?
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because it contains sour cream, use it within 3 to 4 days. Stir before serving.
Where can I buy pina colada sauce?
Red Lobster sells its pina colada sauce as an 8 oz. side cup at the restaurant for about $3.99. It is not sold as a bottled grocery product. For home use, the copycat recipe above is the closest option.
Final thoughts
Red Lobster pina colada sauce is one of those small menu items with a loyal following. Sweet, creamy, and tropical, it turns coconut shrimp into something special. If your location charges for extra portions, the 5-minute copycat recipe gives you the same style of dip at home for a fraction of the cost.
Explore the full Red Lobster menu with prices to plan your next visit.
Related guides
- Red Lobster nutrition guide
- Red Lobster Caesar side salad
- Red Lobster house side salad
- Red Lobster deals and specials
Disclaimer: Menu items, prices, calories, and availability change over time and vary by location. The recipe in this article is a copycat approximation, not Red Lobster’s official formula. Verify current details in the Red Lobster app or at redlobster.com before relying on them.
