Piña Colada at the Caribe Hilton
July 10 is National Piña Colada Day – again, who comes up with these?
Most drinkers, especially anyone who has vacationed on a Caribbean beach or taken a cruise has had the chance to enjoy a the essential Rum cocktail, the Piña Colada. There are certainly good and bad Piña Coladas (mostly bad I must say) but there is just one original.
Like all things of a drink and historic nature there is a bit of controversy regarding the exact origins of the Piña Colada but most all agree that it was created in Puerto Rico. Many, including the government of Puerto Rico, believe that the iconic drink was created by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero in 1954 at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan. In 1978 the Piña Colada was declared the official drink of Puerto Rico and in 2004 Puerto Rico’s Governor Sila María Calderón presented a signed proclamation commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Piña Colada.
Today you can enjoy a taste of the past and present at the Caribar in the Caribe Hilton as they proudly offer the original and modern twists on the Piña Colada. The Caribar bar also offers a great selection of cocktails made with Rum from Puerto Rico.
Original Piña Colada Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces white Rum (the original used Don Q Puerto Rican Rum and so should you)
- 1 ounce coconut cream
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
- ½ cup of crushed ice
Method:
Add the Rum, coconut cream, heavy cream, and pineapple juice in a blender. Add the ice and blend until smooth for about 15 seconds. Serve in a 12-ounce glass. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
If you are in the spirit I encourage you to try my modern twist on the Piña Colada – a slightly drier and more pineapple-forward drink.