Piña colada de puerto rico: Puerto Rico’s National Drink: The Piña Colada

Puerto Rico’s National Drink: The Piña Colada

Barrachina’s restaurant, in Old San Juan, has a plaque at the entrance to commemorate the birthplace of the piña colada.

If you like piña colada, you should know the famous tropical drink was invented in Puerto Rico!

The sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice was born in San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy on the island. Three different bartenders claim the invention as their own. The Caribe Hilton Hotel, one of the most famous in San Juan, is the setting for two of the origin stories of the piña colada.

On the one hand, the Caribe Hilton insisted that the recipe was crafted by Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, a bartender who worked at the hotel’s Beachcomber Bar and was commissioned to create a signature cocktail back in 1954. Marrero reportedly spent three months crafting this cocktail that, according to many sources, Hollywood legend Joan Crawford declared “was better than slapping Bette Davis in the face.

On the other hand, Ricardo García — who was another bartender at the Caribe Hilton — alleged he came up with the refreshing recipe that same year as a result of a coconut shortage that forced him to improvise.

Ramón Portas Mignot, a cocktailer at Barrachina in Old San Juan, was the third bartender to claim crafting this delicious tropical delight back in 1963. There’s even a plaque at the entrance of the establishment to commemorate the birthplace of this popular drink.

Some other islanders say that the piña colada dates back to the 1800s and credit the fruity cocktail to Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, saying that he served his crew this beverage to boost morale. While it is not known which hands were the ones that created the famous piña colada, one thing is for sure, it has not only become Puerto Rico’s National drink, but a favorite around the world, regardless of where you travel.

So, whether you are lounging at the beach or enjoying the sights and sounds of the lively nightlife, be sure to sip and enjoy the island’s signature drink and immerse yourself on this little piece of identity.

There’s no question that the best piña colada you´ll ever have will be in Puerto Rico, its birthplace. But have you ever wondered about the origin of our national drink’s main ingredient? Join us as we visit the pineapple farm in Arecibo, Campo Alegre, which produces around 350,000 boxes of pineapples a year. Let’s go back to our roots and honor the passionate Boricuas who put their hearts in Puerto Rico’s soil – our agricultural industry. Raise your piña colada and toast to them.

Three different bartenders claim the invention of the piña colada. (@itineraryshelly)

Although there are many versions to the Caribbean drink, this a trusty recipe for you to try:
Ingredients
  • ½ a cup of coconut cream
  • ½ a cup of pineapple juice
  • 1 cup of ice
  • ¼ cup white rum
  • Cherries, pineapple wedges, and whipped cream for toppings
Directions

In a blender, mix the coconut cream, pineapple juice, ice, and rum until all the ingredients are blended smoothly and frosty. Pour the drink into a glass and top with whipped cream. Use the cherries and pineapples as garnishes.

Photo credit: @itineraryshelly

Want to live the Colada Culture?

Puerto Rico’s national drink was created with simple Caribbean ingredients, but it’s much more than just a cocktail… it’s passion. Boricuas put their hearts in everything, and you can’t rush the heart. Enjoying a piña colada in Puerto Rico, the birthplace of this iconic drink goes beyond savoring the mix of pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum. It’s basking in sunsets, cool breezes, colorful sights, and warm sand. It’s letting go of worries and making new friends. 

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Piña colada: bebida nacional de Puerto Rico

El restaurante de Barrachina, en el Viejo San Juan, tiene una placa en la entrada para conmemorar el lugar de nacimiento de la piña colada.

Si te gusta la piña colada, ¡debes saber que la famosa bebida tropical se inventó en Puerto Rico! 

La dulce mezcla de crema de coco, jugo de piña, ron blanco y hielo nació en San Juan, pero la identidad de su creador sigue siendo una polémica sin resolver en la Isla. Tres cantineros diferentes reclaman la invención como propia. El Hotel Caribe Hilton, uno de los más famosos de San Juan, es el escenario de dos de las historias de origen de la piña colada. 

Por un lado, el Caribe Hilton insistió en que la receta fue elaborada por Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, un bartender que trabajaba en el Beachcomber Bar del hotel y recibió el encargo de crear un cóctel exclusivo en 1954. Según los informes, Marrero pasó tres meses elaborando este cóctel que, según muchas fuentes, la leyenda de Hollywood Joan Crawford declaró “era mejor que abofetear a Bette Davis”. 

Por otro lado, Ricardo García —quien era otro cantinero del Caribe Hilton— alegó que ese mismo año se le ocurrió la refrescante receta a raíz de una escasez de coco que lo obligó a improvisar.  

Ramón Portas Mignot, bartender de Barrachina en el Viejo San Juan, fue el tercer cantinero en reclamar la elaboración de esta deliciosa bebida tropical allá por 1963. Incluso hay una placa en la entrada del establecimiento para conmemorar el lugar de nacimiento de esta popular bebida. 

Algunos otros isleños dicen que la piña colada se remonta a la década de 1800 y atribuyen el cóctel de frutas al pirata puertorriqueño Roberto Cofresí, diciendo que sirvió esta bebida a su tripulación para levantar la moral. Si bien no se sabe qué manos fueron las que crearon la famosa piña colada, una cosa es acertada: no solo se ha convertido en la bebida nacional de Puerto Rico, sino en la favorita en todo el mundo, sin importar a dónde viajes. 

Entonces, ya sea que estés descansando en la playa o disfrutando de las vistas y los sonidos de la animada vida nocturna, asegúrate de tomar un sorbo, disfrutar de la bebida característica de la Isla y sumergirte en esta pequeña pieza de identidad puertorriqueña.  

No hay duda de que la mejor piña colada que beberás estará en Puerto Rico, su lugar de origen. Pero, ¿alguna vez te has preguntado cuál es el origen del ingrediente principal de nuestra bebida nacional? Únete a nosotros mientras visitamos la finca de piña Campo Alegre en Arecibo que produce alrededor de 350,000 cajas de piña al año. Volvamos a nuestras raíces y honremos a los boricuas apasionados que pusieron su corazón en el suelo de Puerto Rico: nuestra industria agrícola. Levanta tu piña colada y brinda por ellos.

Tres cantineros diferentes reclaman la invención de la piña colada. (@itineraryshelly)

Aunque hay muchas versiones de la bebida caribeña, esta es una receta confiable para que la pruebes: 
Ingredientes 
  • ½ taza de crema de coco 
  • ½ taza de jugo de piña 
  • 1 taza de hielo 
  • ¼ taza de ron blanco 
  • Cerezas, gajos de piña y crema batida  
Instrucciones 

En una licuadora, mezcla la crema de coco, el jugo de piña, el hielo y el ron hasta que todos los ingredientes se mezclen suavemente y estén escarchados. Vierte la bebida en un vaso y cubre con crema batida. Usa las cerezas y las piñas como decoración. 

Photo credit: @itineraryshelly

¿Quieres vivir la cultura colada? 

La bebida nacional de Puerto Rico se creó con simples ingredientes caribeños, pero es mucho más que un cóctel… es pasión. Los boricuas ponen el corazón en todo, y eso es algo que no se puede apurar. Disfrutar de una piña colada en Puerto Rico, cuna de esta icónica bebida, va más allá de saborear la mezcla de jugo de piña, crema de coco y ron. Es disfrutar de las puestas de sol, la brisa fresca, las vistas coloridas y la arena cálida. Es dejar de lado las preocupaciones y hacer nuevos amigos. 

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Pina Colada liqueur – how to drink, what to mix with, cocktails, how many degrees in Pina Colada liqueur

08 February 2019

The birth of a sweet and rich coconut liqueur in the multicolored Caribbean seems natural. Thickets of exotic plants, hot savannahs, plantations of vanilla and coconut palms, coffee and sugar cane – the aromas mix with the sea air, filled with the cries of bright parrots and the fluttering of colorful hummingbirds.

You can get to know the taste of Caribbean liquor without long wanderings, and we will help you figure out how to drink properly, how to dilute Pina Colada and how to make a cocktail with liquor.

Pina Colada Story

Colada (colado) in the Caribbean is called strained pineapple juice. Rum is traditionally added to it, but a recipe close to modern appeared in Puerto Rico in the middle of the last century. We know the author of “Pina Colada”, he was the bartender Ramon Marrero, who guessed to add coconut milk to pineapple juice with rum. The mixture has gained such popularity that it has become Puerto Rican’s national drink. Fame spread with the speed of the wind when the world heard Rupert Holmes’ hit The Pina Colada Song. Everyone wanted to know what Pina Colada is, how many degrees it contains and how to drink it.

“Pina Colada” – composition and degrees

“Pina Colada” is produced by many manufacturers and each of them can determine the alcohol content in the liquor, so the range of alcohol content is wide – from 15 to 30 percent. What unites “Pina Colada” of all kinds is a common base of white rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk and natural vanilla. Slight differences in the taste of Pina Colada liquor of different brands are explained by the introduction of spices and other additives into the basic recipe.

Pina Colada liqueur: how to drink and what to mix with

Pina Colada liqueur is well balanced and does not require additives, you can drink it in its pure form as a digestif. In combination with alcohol and non-alcoholic components, the taste of coconut-pineapple liqueur becomes even brighter, and the sweetness softens.

Pure liqueur

This option is ideal for desserts, nuts and tropical fruits. Pure “Pina Colada” is served in small wide glasses on high legs at room temperature. It is believed that a serving of liquor should be drunk in one gulp, the only way to fully appreciate the sweetness of the drink and a pleasant aftertaste.

How to dilute “Pina Colada”?

If the sweet liqueur seems cloying, mix it with water or add crushed ice. A combination with cream, milk, non-acidic juice from tropical fruits (pineapples, oranges), chocolate will also be appropriate. You can independently select the proportions and adjust the strength and taste.

Pina Colada with spirits

The most suitable “company” liquor – rum, it can be added in a ratio of 1:1, so as not to disturb the harmonious bouquet of liquor and increase the degree. Mixing “Pina Colada” with vodka, whiskey, brandy and gin is not worth it – none of the drinks benefit from such a meeting.

What to drink “Pina Colada” with

Liqueur goes well with coffee. It is good to eat ice cream and cupcake cakes. And from cigarette smoke, the taste of a delicate drink hopelessly fades.

Pina Colada cocktail recipes

Pina Colada liqueur is rich enough in flavor not to get lost in a cocktail, but when choosing ingredients, you need to take into account the softness and exotic taste of the digestif.

Pina Colada with ice cream

A delicious cool cocktail is very popular with women. The recipe does not require complex ingredients or bartending skills.

  • 150-200 g cream ice cream;
  • 60-70 ml Pina Colada;
  • Cocoa powder and cherry for decoration.

Add liqueur to melted ice cream and beat in a mixer or shaker. Pour into a glass, sprinkle with cocoa and garnish with a cherry. The drink is drunk through a straw.

Peach Jump

A sweet cocktail in which coconut flavor complements the aroma of peaches.

  • 30 ml Pina Colada;
  • 50 ml peach liqueur;
  • 70 ml pineapple juice;
  • 30 ml lemon juice;
  • crushed ice;
  • pineapple and cherry slice.

Place ice and drinks in a shaker and shake long enough to almost completely dissolve the ice. Pour through a strainer into a capacious glass, garnish with pineapple and cherries. Drink through a straw.

Banana Colada

An authentic Caribbean liqueur infused with tropical flavors. Thanks to the dark rum, the taste of the drink becomes aristocratic.

  • 60 ml Pina Colada;
  • 20 ml Baileys;
  • 20 ml banana liqueur;
  • 20 ml dark rum;
  • 100 g banana;
  • ice (crumb).

Mix chopped banana and banana liqueur with a blender until smooth. Shake the Pina Colada, Baileys and rum in a shaker. Add banana pulp and ice, stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour the thick cocktail into a glass. The tube is not used.

cocktail recipe at home

Published:

Pina Colada: homemade cocktail recipe: Wikimedia

Want to treat yourself to something sweet, tasty and alcoholic? The Pina Colada cocktail will do the job perfectly. In this case, it is not at all necessary to go to the nearest bar – you can make a drink at home. The list of ingredients, as well as the secrets of the perfect cocktail, can be found in the article.

Pina colada, or Pina colada, is a legendary cocktail with hints of pineapple and coconut. According to legend, the Pina Colada cocktail was invented in one of the bars on the island of Puerto Rico in the early 40s of the last century. One of the local masters of his craft could not figure out how to surprise the locals and tourists. And since Puerto Rico has become a world producer of coconut cream, the bartender decided to mix the local delicacy with pineapple juice and rum. The cocktail quickly received approval, and soon there was no end to those wishing to try the wonderful drink.

Description

  • Kitchen:
    Latin American
  • Category:
    Drink
  • Preparation time:
    5 minutes
  • Cooking time:
    5 minutes
  • Calories per serving:
    226 kcal

Ingredients

Portions

one

  • light rum

    50 ml

  • Coconut milk

    30 ml

  • Pineapple juice

    50 ml

Cooking

  • 1.

    Make Coconut Milk

    Extract the milk from the coconut: Pixabay

    Even if you have already taken the product, read how to make coconut milk at home. This might come in handy for other culinary creations:

    1. Crack open the coconut and scoop out the flesh.
    2. Finely grate the ingredient.
    3. Transfer chips to a bowl.
    4. Pour boiling water so that the liquid covers the flesh by about 1-2 cm.
    5. Leave to swell for 30 minutes.

    When the time is up, remove the shavings and place in cheesecloth. Do not pour out the liquid. Press the chips dry.

  • 2. Squeeze pineapple juice

    Make pineapple juice: Depositphotos

    For this procedure, I recommend using a juicer. If not, use a blender:

    1. Peel the pineapple.
    2. Cut into small pieces.
    3. Turn pineapple into porridge with a blender.
    4. Squeeze out the juice using gauze or heavy cloth.

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