My first food feature, which I wrote for the Introduction to Food Writing course
Imagine. It's 12:00 pm on a hot, sunny summer day; the bright sun illuminates the panorama; the wind dances with the palm trees; the aroma of salty water perfumes the air; and people wait in line to purchase a cold, refreshing piña colada, garnished with a maraschino cherry, a fresh pineapple wedge, and a cocktail umbrella. This is a typical day in Puerto Rico, the small Caribbean Island also known as “the island of enchantment,” as Christopher Columbus described it over 500 years ago. The simple thought of a fresh piña colada can transport a person to a worry-free, happy place and stimulate a calm state of mind. That’s the impact of this pineapple and coconut frozen drink, which literally means “blended pineapple” when translated. But where was this well-known drink invented? Who came up with the idea of combining pineapple and coconut? What inspired this groundbreaking discovery?
Similar to many stories passed down from generation to generation that have become oral tradition, the birth of piña colada has different versions. The first one dates back to the 1800s, stating that Roberto Cofresí, a Puerto Rican pirate, mixed for the first time pineapple juice, coconut milk, and white rum. Among Puerto Rico’s residents, it's also discussed the possibility that this frozen beverage was invented in 1954 by Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, bartender at the time of the Beachcomber Bar at the Caribe Hilton, the first international Hilton Hotel. Nonetheless, Caribe Hilton is not the only place referred to as “home of the first piña colada.” Barrachina Restaurant, located in Old San Juan, claims to be the birthplace of Puerto Rico’s national drink. According to the restaurant, its former bartender, Don Ramos Portas Mingot, initiated the coconut cream, pineapple juice, and rum movement, in 1963. Nowadays, Barrachina is one of the most visited restaurants by tourists in Old San Juan, in search of an authentic piña colada. The fabled restaurant offers customers virgin piña coladas, variation with white rum, as well as an assortment of “premium coladas” made with different varieties of rum and other liquors. The bartenders at Barrachina Restaurant have mastered the art of many other cocktails, such as homemade sangria and coconut mojitos, but the star of the show, the piña colada, requires them to close the bar for short periods of time throughout the day, to produce another fresh and large batch that will delight a couple hundred more customers.
Making piña colada is a quick and simple process. First, pineapple juice and cream of coconut are blended, with ice or water depending on the desired consistency. Then, if desired, the rum of choice is added, and the drink is garnished with a maraschino cherry, a fresh pineapple wedge, and a cocktail umbrella. Piña colada was proclaimed as the national drink of Puerto Rico in 1978. Since that historic moment, Puerto Ricans celebrate the National Piña Colada Day every summer, on July 10th. The purpose of food is not only to nurture the body and piña colada is not only a refreshing drink for a hot summer day. Since its creation in the 1800s, 1954, or 1963, this drink has had the ability to bring together people from all backgrounds and ages. A family with children or a group of friends with different preferences, can order the same beverage, with a slight difference according to alcohol consumption, and bond while walking on the soft white sand, embracing the bright blue sky and energetic ocean waves.
Whether it's virgin or made with Ron del Barrilito (Puerto Rico’s oldest rum), drinking a piña colada is a memorable experience with a greater meaning than just pleasing one’s taste buds. Perhaps this is what made piña colada become one of the most popular drinks across the world. According to VinePair, the “largest digital media company,” with headquarters in New York, Puerto Rico’s national drink is the 25th most widespread cocktail in the world in 2022. Magazines all around the United States, such as New York Times, Forbes, and Bon Appétit, have published a variety of recipes and articles featuring this frozen drink.
Nowadays, piña colada is not only specifically a drink, but also a well-known flavor, such as vanilla, chocolate, or cookies and crème. This popular beverage has inspired many different recipes, from birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and pies, to popsicles, quick breads, salads, and marinades. In addition, companies have invented different products inspired by piña colada for retail sales, including piña colada-flavored beers and sodas, cocktail mixes, body washes and lotions. Regardless, to savor the delectable flavor of a traditional piña colada, the best option is to blend it from scratch using fresh ingredients, visit your local Puerto Rican restaurant or bar, and, certainly, stop by Caribe Hilton Hotel and Barrachina Restaurant during your trip to Puerto Rico, and decide which piña colada is truly the best.