The Pina Colada is a popular tropical cocktail that originated in Puerto Rico in the 1950s. The drink’s name means “strained pineapple” in Spanish, which is a reference to its main ingredients: pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum.
While there is some debate over who first created the Pina Colada, the cocktail’s official birthplace is said to be the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was there that bartender Ramon “Monchito” Marrero is said to have invented the drink in 1954, using a mix of pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and rum.
The original recipe was made with Don Q rum, a Puerto Rican rum brand, and was served in a tall glass with crushed ice. It was garnished with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry. The drink quickly became popular among hotel guests and soon became a signature drink of Puerto Rico.
In 1978, the Pina Colada was immortalized in the Rupert Holmes song “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” which became a hit and further cemented the drink’s status as a tropical icon.
Today, the Pina Colada is a popular drink around the world, often served in a hurricane or tall glass with a straw and garnished with a pineapple wedge and/or maraschino cherry. It is a symbol of tropical relaxation and is often associated with warm weather, sandy beaches, and vacation.
The classic recipe for this popular drink. The coconut cream needs to have the right consistency and coconut milk may be too thin, although you can add condensed milk to coconut milk to bring up it’s thickness.
Recipe 1)
30 ml Light Rum/White Rum
30 ml Coconut Cream
90 ml Crushed Pineapples/Pineapple Juice
Put the Rum, Coconut Cream and Pineapple into a shaker with 2 cups of crushed ice.
Shake well then strain into a goblet, hurricane, tiki, or pint glass and serve with a straw, cherry, pineapple/fruit chunk and if you feel like it, even an umbrella.
Recipe 2)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 2 oz. coconut cream
- 1 cup ice
- Pineapple wedge and/or maraschino cherry (optional)
Directions:
- Add the rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and ice to a blender.
- Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the Pina Colada into a hurricane or tall glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and/or maraschino cherry if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips:
- For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the rum and replace it with more pineapple juice or coconut cream.
- To make a frozen Pina Colada, blend the ingredients with more ice until you reach your desired consistency.
- For a more tropical twist, try adding a splash of lime juice or a dash of bitters to the mix.
Enjoy your delicious and refreshing Pina Colada!