The Best Recipe To Make A Classic Pina Colada
Cover photo credit: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
Do you like piña coladas? What about getting caught in the rain?
This iconic cocktail isn’t just a drink—it’s a vibe. Beloved in beach bars and city lounges alike, the piña colada is a passport to paradise in a glass.
A luscious blend of island flavors, it swirls silky coconut milk and rich coconut cream with the bright, tangy pop of fresh pineapple. And, of course, there’s the golden splash of Caribbean rum. One sip, and you’ll see why this classic never goes out of style.
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If you’d like to learn how to make a pina colada, we’ve got a great recipe to share with you, just as we did for strawberry daiquiris, coffee and rum drinks and rum runner cocktails
It’s so simple you can knock one up right now in your own kitchen. Of course, the pina colada does taste best when enjoyed on the beach. Jamaican sunsets and crystal clear waters are optional, but they sure do help!
How To Make a Pina Colada
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One of the reasons that the Pina Colada has become so popular with people throughout the world is the fact that it’s relatively simple to make. That’s why you’ll likely find the cocktail on the menus of almost any drinking den, from high-end bars at all-inclusive resorts to the most rustic of beach rum shacks. And of course, you can easily make it at home too.
As with any popular cocktail, there are plenty of different variations on the classic pina colada recipe. But, we like to stick with tradition, which is why we always opt for the original frozen pina colada recipe, created by Monchito in Puerto Rico back in the ’50s.
It’s published in a book by José L. Díaz de Villegas, and friends of Monchito have confirmed that it’s the real recipe that he swore by.
Follow the simple steps below to learn how to make a fantastic pina colada at home, using fresh ingredients for maximum flavor. We guarantee your friends and family will be more than impressed when you present them with this tasty treat!
Pina Colada Recipe
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Ingredients:
3 ounces (85g) coconut cream
6 ounces (170g) fresh pineapple juice
1 ½ ounces (43g) white rum
Crushed ice
Pineapple wedge and Maraschino cherry (to garnish)
Method:
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Add the coconut cream, pineapple juice, rum and crushed ice to a blender. If you don’t have a blender you can use a cocktail shaker instead.
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Blend or shake very well until the mixture is completely silky smooth.
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Pour the mixture into a chilled glass.
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Add a garnish of a fresh pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry
As you’ll see, making a classic pina colada at home couldn’t be easier.
Give it a try and bring the magic of your next vacation to life as you enjoy this tasty cocktail.
For those who enjoy a nice read, we’ll move past the simple recipe and give you some background on this delicious drink.
Who Invented the Pina Colada?
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The Pina Colada cocktail is hugely popular throughout the Caribbean, but it didn’t actually originate there. In fact, this drink was first created in Puerto Rico, as part of a competition to create the country’s new national drink.
The pina colada is attributed to bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero Pérez, who claims that he was the first to make the delicious drink back in 1954, when working at the Caribe Hilton Hotel’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan.
The Caribe Hilton Hotel boasts a beautiful 17-acre site on the outskirts of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. This impressive city sits on the edge of the island’s Atlantic coast, and has long been a popular tourist destination.
The Caribe Hilton Hotel was the first luxurious hotel in the area when it first opened back in 1949, and it was regularly frequented by the rich and famous, who flocked to this exciting, exotic place. It was these well-to-do travelers who first started to spread the word about the new drink they’d tried in Puerto Rico, and the pina colada was born.
There is another claim to the creation of the pina colada, however.
Another bartender, Ramón Portas Mingot, also says he was the first to create the pina colada.
He states that he made it first, while working at the Barrachina Restaurant, on Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan. And the restaurant stands by him – proudly proclaiming that it is the true birthplace of the pina colada.
We’ll probably never know who really was the first person to make the pina colada, but we do know that it wasn’t until the 1960s that the pina colada got its name. The name literally translates to “strained pineapple”, in honor of the fresh-pressed and strained pineapple juice that gives the cocktail its fresh, fruity flavor.
Whether it was made in a restaurant on Fortaleza Street or at the city’s most lavish new five star hotel, one’s thing for sure. The pina colada definitely originates from Puerto Rico, and the locals are very proud of that fact.
They even have a national day celebrating the drink. National Piña Colada Day takes place on the islands on 10 July. We’ll drink to that!
Make A Frozen Pina Colada at Home
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It doesn’t have to be National Pina Colada Day to enjoy a pina colada at home.
Why not give our classic recipe a try? It’s simple to make, uses delicious fresh ingredients and tastes amazing. The pina colada is the perfect drink to enjoy at home, or you could make a batch for friends at your next party.
Best Places to Enjoy a Pina Colada
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There’s no wrong place to sip a well-crafted piña colada, but an enticing view makes it even better! If you’re searching for the perfect destination to enjoy this tropical classic, even for a last-minute vacation, look no further than the Caribbean. Here, your piña coladas come blended with the freshest local ingredients and served with a generous splash of sunshine.
For the ultimate indulgence, enjoy yours from a beachfront, all-inclusive resort—where swim-up bars keep the good vibes flowing, and up to 16 restaurants satisfy every craving. At Sandals Resorts, expert bartenders mix up perfection, and at select resorts, beach butler service takes your cocktail hour to the next level.
If there were ever a dream way to toast to island time (and your next vacation), this is it!
Picture: With 7 bars including swim-up bars, Sandals Grande Antigua can be just the right place to enjoy the best island-inspired cocktails! Food, drinks, anytime snacks, entertainment, land and water sports and more are included with your vacation!
