Pina colada

Pina Colada is a sweet cocktail made with rum, coconut cream or coconut milk, and pineapple juice, usually served either blended or shaken with ice. It may be garnished with a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, or both. The Pina Colada has been the national drink of Puerto Rico since 1978.

History

The Pina Colada has been part of Puerto Rican culture for more than a century, but its exact origins are disputed. One story claims that the drink was first created in the 19th century by Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresi, who served his crew a beverage made of pineapple, coconut and white rum to boost their morale. However, no historical evidence supports this story.

The most widely accepted story is that the Pina Colada was created in 1954 by Ramon "Monchito" Marrero, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton's Beachcomber Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Marrero spent three months perfecting the recipe, aiming to capture all the flavors of Puerto Rico in a glass. The drink was an instant success and has been popular worldwide ever since.

Preparation

The Pina Colada is traditionally made with one part white rum, one part coconut cream, and three parts pineapple juice. The ingredients are usually mixed in a blender or shaker with crushed ice until smooth, then poured into a chilled glass. Variations of the recipe may include additional ingredients such as cream, banana, and other fruits.

Cultural Impact

The Pina Colada has had a significant cultural impact, particularly in popular music. The song "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes, released in 1979, tells a story about a man who discovers that his own wife is the person responding to his newspaper ad seeking a partner who likes Pina Coladas. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been covered by numerous artists.

See Also

• List of cocktails
• Cocktail garnish
• Rum
• Coconut milk
• Pineapple juice