Name: Pina Colada
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 6 oz pineapple juice; 3 oz white rum; 3 oz cream of coconut; 3 cups ice cubes; maraschino cherry and/or pineapple wedge (for garnish)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Transport yourself to a tropical island with just one sip of this Pina Colada. Filled with rum, pineapple juice, and coconut. Cheers!

Cream of coconut, white rum, pineapple juice

There’s nothing more tropical than a Pina Colada. This was one of may favorite daily drinks while Jim and I were on our honeymoon in Hawaii. I looked forward to having one, two or maybe five while we enjoyed the views at the Maui Fairmont Kea Lani. Tropical drinks scream for pineapple and coconut. Lucky for you, if you love this combo then you’ll love this pina colada.

History of the Pina Colada

Although this popular cocktail is often associated with the Caribbean, it was first created in Puerto Rico by Bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero Pérez. As the story goes, he was the first one to make this cocktail back in 1952, while working at the Caribe Hilton Hotel’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan. This hotel sits on a 17-acre site on the outskirts of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. The hotel spans the edge of the island’s Atlantic coast, making it a most attractive tourist destination. Many affluent travelers and the rich and famous would frequent this impressive hotel and soon after word spread about the new drink they tried. Thus, the Pina Colada was born.

Contrary to this belief, there is another Puerto Rican that claims he was the first to create the pina colada. Ramón Portas Mingot, stated that he first created the drink while working as a bartender at the Barrachina Restaurant, on Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan. The restaurant proudly stands by him and proclaims that this is where the original drink was born.

We will probably never know who the real creator of this popular drink was. However, we do know that it was created in Puerto Rico. In fact, they celebrate National Pina Colada Day on July 10th to mark this historical day.

Whether you credit Monchito or Ramón for creating this drink, I can attest to the fact that it’s fresh, tasty, refreshing and absolutely delicious! Gracias hombres!