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Puerto Rico is thought for a number of issues – tiny frogs, pristine seashores, bioluminescent bays and plush rainforests. It’s additionally the birthplace of the pina colada – a scrumptious cocktail consisting of rum, coconut milk and pineapple juice.
Translating as “strained pineapple”, this tropical drink was declared Puerto Rico’s nationwide drink in 1978 and is finest drunk by the seashore or pool. You’ll discover the pina colada served at most institutions all through the island, together with seashore bars, eating places and luxurious accommodations.
Some of the perfect pina coladas I’ve tried have been on the seashore, though it’s possible you’ll need to attempt the variations supplied at Barrachina and the Caribe Hilton – two bars that declare to have invented this scrumptious drink.
I visited each locations to attempt their pina coladas and uncover extra concerning the drink’s historical past.
Pina Colada Ingredients
Ingredients
- ½ a cup of coconut cream
- ½ a cup of pineapple juice
- 1 cup of ice
- ¼ cup white rum
- Cherries, pineapple wedges to garnish
Directions
Mix the coconut cream, pineapple juice, ice, and rum in a blender till the components are totally blended and frosty. Pour the drink right into a glass and garnish with a cherry and pineapple wedge.
Who Invented the Pina Colada?
Who invented the pina colada is up for debate. The Caribe Hilton claims that the cocktail was invented by Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, a bartender who labored on the lodge’s Beachcomber Bar again in 1954. He was commissioned to create a signature cocktail, and apparently spent three months crafting it. When Hollywood actress Joan Crawford took a sip of it, she claimed it was “better than slapping Bette Davis in the face.”
Meanwhile Barrachina, which is positioned within the middle of Old san Juan, claims its bartender Ramón Portas Mignot was the one to invent this tropical drink.
However, there are additionally tales that counsel the pina colada could have been invented even sooner than that, all the best way again within the 1800s. Supposedly Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí served a mixture of coconut, pineapple and white rum to spice up his crew’s morale.
Where to Try the Pina Colada in Puerto Rico
Caribe Hilton
The Caribe Hilton is positioned on the jap fringe of San Juan islet overlooking the water. Inside the lodge on the bottom ground you’ll discover a big pina colada wall explaining the historical past of the drink, together with the unique 1954 recipe.
The recipe consists of 2 oz white rum, 1 oz coconut cream, 1 oz heavy cream and 6 oz of contemporary pineapple juice. It additionally makes use of ½ cup of crushed ice, a pineapple wedge and Maraschino cherry for garnish.
In 1954 Ramón “Monchito” Marrero was requested to create a drink that captured the distinctive flavors of Puerto Rico and he lastly settled on the above recipe. It was a success with company and locals, and Monchito continued to serve the drink at Caribe Hilton for 35 years till his retirement.
In 2004 and 2014 the Caribe Hilton obtained proclamations from the Governors of Puerto Rico to have fun the fiftieth and sixtieth anniversaries of the pina colada. They acknowledge “Monchito” Marrero because the official creator of the drink.
I sampled the pina colada within the lodge’s Caribar and it tasted good and creamy! Definitely a thumbs up for this one.
Barrachina
Located in Old San Juan close to La Fortaleza, Barrachina is a Puerto Rican restaurant that additionally claims to have invented the pina colada. The plaque exterior the restaurant reads “The house where in 1963 the pina colada was created by Don Ramon Portas Mingot”.
I wasn’t notably eager on the pina colada served right here – it tasted prefer it had come out of a machine and simply was extra icy than creamy. However, the restaurant has a really colourful courtyard patio stuffed with tropical vegetation – undoubtedly a great place for Instagram pictures!
A Final Word…
If you want pina coladas then you definitely’ll discover no scarcity of locations to attempt them in Puerto Rico. They’re very refreshing on a scorching, sunny day and normally value round $7-$8 at most seashore bars. The pina colada is so well-liked all through the world that there’s even an official Pina Colada Day, which is widely known on July tenth! If you want extra Puerto Rico inspiration, take a look at my Puerto Rico journey information and my 3 day Puerto Rico itinerary.