Nothing teleports me as quickly to a sandy beach as a sip of a refreshingly cold, perfectly sweet piña colada. Pineapple and coconut go together so naturally that it’s become a worldwide sensation. Add a splash of rum and boom, you have one of the most iconic cocktails in history. One that’s inspired songs, businesses and vacations and what I believe has the potential to be an instant cure to anyone’s woes.
The Origin of the Piña Colada
In San Juan in 1954, a bartender by the name of Ramón “Monchito” Marrero was the genius behind the cocktail, his entire goal being to craft a vibrant welcome drink for the esteemed guests of the Caribe Hilton. It took him three months to construct a drink that he felt captured Puerto Rico’s vibrant and tropical energy.
At first, they were nonalcoholic, just a blend of coconut cream and pineapple, two ingredients that complement each other so beautifully you really don’t need anything else. It wasn’t until several years later that Monchito had the stunning idea to add rum to the mix, Puerto Rico’s favorite liquor.
Flash forward 35 years; in 1978, the piña colada became the official drink of Puerto Rico. And in 2004, on its 50th anniversary, the hotel received an official government proclamation. That’s how seriously they take it here.
A Little About the Caribe Hilton
The birthplace of the piña colada is worth visiting regardless of your stance on piña coladas. Located in the Old San Juan district on a private peninsula, this beachfront resort is not only gorgeous but it has a fascinating and storied past.
Opened in 1949, this was the Hilton’s first international property. It became a prime celebrity hangout, with guests like Sophia Loren, Gloria Swanson and Liz Taylor. Back then, it was an exciting spot for evening dancing.
With an open-air lobby, it is lively, sometimes featuring community markets with locals selling jewelry, clothing and gifts. The property is expansive with three distinct wings: the garden wing, the wave wing and the ocean wing, each with unique views.
The property has many restaurants and bars to choose from, featuring a variety of cuisines, from traditional Puerto Rican to Italian. And the piña colada theme is incorporated into many dishes. I highly recommend trying the piña colada French toast at the Nectar del Caribe, where breakfast is served.
And there is the Caribar, the official designated birthplace of the piña colada. Between the Caribar and the swim-up bar, the hotel pours more than 59,000 piña coladas a year and goes through some 1,900 pineapples just for garnish. There’s even an interactive display in the lobby telling the whole story, with a great photo op.
But what’s really hard to pass up is the swim-up bar, Bagua, because what screams vacation louder than sipping a cocktail in a pool with a view of the ocean? It was, without question, the hardest place on the property to leave.
And with their own private beach, there is no shortage of swimming in the sea with plenty of lounge chairs to relax on. Or you could book your own private beach cabana, piña coladas and snacks delivered straight to your own private oasis. And then beyond the swim-up bar pool, you have an infinity pool, a tropical pool and a fountain pool for kids.
But if you do choose to leave the premises, the Caribe Hilton is a five-minute car ride to Old San Juan, where you can explore the historic district and visit various sites and restaurants. You can wander the cobblestone streets, past pastel colonial buildings and centuries-old fortresses, before heading back for another poolside piña colada.
Vacation in a Glass
I’ve been guzzling virgin piña coladas since I was a kid, anytime my parents let me order a drink on vacation. While inappropriately bursting into the iconic piña colada song, Escape, much to their chagrin. I think a cocktail is most brilliant when it can taste just as good without alcohol. And since the piña colada was originally nonalcoholic, it became the template for mocktails. That means, in a world where more and more people are choosing sobriety, they can still enjoy this drink.
So when I brought this recipe home to Colorado, dry, landlocked and the complete opposite of Puerto Rico, it brought me right back. Perhaps the ingredients weren’t as fresh but I was proud of how closely it resembled the ones we had at Caribe Hilton. Rather than using canned pineapple juice, I decided to make my own, which was a challenge in itself. But I was determined to bring the authenticity home.
The Original Recipe for Piña Colada
Last but not least, here’s Caribe Hilton’s original recipe for piña colada. After tasting it there and then recreating it back home, I can tell you this is the only way to make it.
Ingredients (1 serving):
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce coconut cream
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed ice
Instructions: Add the rum, cream of coconut, cream and pineapple juice to a blender. Add the ice and blend everything together until smooth. Serve in a 12 oz glass. To get a little fancy, rim the glass with agave and coconut flakes, then garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Watch the full process here.
Now go ahead and celebrate International Piña Colada Day (July 10th) the right way, with a large glass of the world’s best cocktail. Salud!
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