If you want to taste paradise, you should try the quintessential adult beverage of the tropics, the piña colada! It has been the official drink of Puerto Rico since 1978 and with good reason – it was invented here! The piña colada is a mixture of rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream, and while its origins are a bit muddled, there is no doubt that the popular drink is the taste of the islands!
So, who invented the piña colada, and what is the traditional island recipe?
“Piña colada,” sounds exotic and glamorous, but literally means “strained pineapple” in Spanish. While the recipe for the drink enjoyed today originated in the 1950s, the actual name “piña colada” didn’t come into being until much later. There was a recipe for a much different piña colada published in Travel Magazine during the 1920s that consisted of rum, pineapple juice, lime, ice and sugar, but the drink most recognized today was likely created at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the mid-1950s.
Popular legend says that the hotel’s bartender Ramón Marrero Perez created the drink in conjunction with the release of the new cream of coconut product, Coco López. And tropical drink lovers everywhere can rejoice – the original recipe is not a secret – and it’s relatively quick and easy to create yourself. You can try it by following this recipe:
The Original Caribe Hilton Piña Colada
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 1 oz. heavy cream
- 6 oz. fresh pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed ice
Garnish:
- Fresh pineapple wedge
- Maraschino cherry
Method:
Add rum, coconut cream, heavy cream and pineapple juice in a blender. Add ice and blend for 15 seconds or until smooth. Serve with fresh pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry as garnish.
We think the best way to enjoy a piña colada is by drinking one right here in Puerto Rico! Maria’s, a luxury resort located on the historic Maria’s Beach in Rincón, Puerto Rico, is just steps away from Calypso Tropical Bar. There, you can enjoy an authentic Puerto Rican piña colada, as well as some traditional island cuisine.
When you stay with us at Maria’s, you’ll enjoy our exclusive waterfront vacation rental. This 8-bedroom villa is the perfect setting for large gatherings such as family reunions, weddings, and more. Maria Garcia and her son Ramon Avecedo Garcia lived on the beach for over 50 years, becoming beloved residents of the town of Rincon. The villa is still owned by the Avecedo family today. Contact us about booking now – you’ll be that much closer to enjoying a genuine piña colada!
My husband and I had our wedding and reception at Maria’s. We rented the property for three days/nights. We wanted to make our destination wedding as accessible as possible for our family and friends. Maria’s was the perfect place. Twelve of our closest friends and family shared the house. I was so impressed that Maria’s had everything we needed, even little things like laundry detergent.