🥃 Piña Colada

Piña Colada is a cocktail of white rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice, blended with ice. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) lists it among the Contemporary Classics. The IBA recipe mixes 50 ml of white rum, 30 ml of coconut cream and 50 ml of fresh pineapple juice, and serves it with pineapple and a cherry.

Three claims to authorship. According to Difford's Guide, Ramón «Monchito» Marrero says he made the drink at the Beachcomber bar of the Caribe Hilton in San Juan on 15 August 1952, although the hotel gives 1954. Ricardo García, who also worked at the hotel, claims authorship for himself. Ramón Portas Mingot gives 1963 and the Barrachina restaurant in Old San Juan. The source admits that all three may have contributed.

Earlier traces. Coco López cream of coconut was developed in 1948, which fits the early 1950s. Cocktail books mention the drink only in the late 1960s. The earliest written mention of «Piña Colada» is from Travel magazine of December 1922, but it referred to a pineapple daiquiri without coconut.

Versions. Cuba kept its own version without coconut cream; the Puerto Rican version with coconut has become the modern standard. Historically a few drops of lime were added to the drink, and fresh pineapple juice can be replaced with four slices of the fruit.

Why this matters to you. The sweet coconut and pineapple taste hides the strength, and coconut cream adds calories. The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol.