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The Piña Colada is a sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum and ice. This exquisite drink was invented in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, the creator of the Piña Colada is still an unresolved controversy on the Island. In this dispute three mixologists face each other: Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, Ricardo García and Ramón Portas Mingot.

History

The Caribe Hilton Hotel is the setting for two of the stories of the origin of the Piña Colada. The hotel management insists that it was created by Ramón “Monchito” Marrero. This mixologist worked at the Beachcomber Bar of the hotel and on August 15(16), 1954 he created it on request as an exclusive cocktail. It is said that Marrero dedicated three months to making the Piña Colada.

The recipe created by Monchito was served over ice and included coconut cream (which he extracted from the coconut himself), pineapple juice (hand-squeezed) and aged Puerto Rican rum (DonQ Gold). However, it is stated that Monchito used Coco López, a Puerto Rican coconut product developed in 1948. It is also stated that Monchito signed a certificate in 1954 that accredits him as the inventor of the Piña Colada.

The other Hilton mixologist who competed for that honor was Ricardo García. He alleged that in 1954 he came up with the recipe as a result of a coconut shortage on the Island, which forced him to improvise. 

The third story is that of Ramón Portas Mingot, mixologist at the Barrachina restaurant in Old San Juan. Ramón claimed that by 1963 he made this delicious tropical drink. When you visit Barrachina you will see at the entrance of the establishment a plaque that commemorates the place where the Piña Colada was created.

Story of a Puerto Rican pirate

The most curious and somewhat fun story dates back to the beginning of the 19th century when pirates terrorized the Caribbean. The legend says that the Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Kupferschein known as the Cofresí Pirate He was the one who mixed the ingredients for piña colada for the first time. 

They say that on his ship El Mosquito, Cofresí used to mix the rum they transported with natural pineapple and coconut juice. He would then offer it to his crew to boost their morale in times of need and to encourage them during attacks. 

Although we do not know for sure who created the Piña Colada, we are sure that it is famous throughout the world. When you visit us be sure to take a sip of this drink so you can immerse yourself in an experience of Puerto Rican identity. 

National Beverage

On July 10, 1978, the government of Puerto Rico declared the Piña Colada as its national drink. The Piña Colada on the Island is more than a cocktail, it is a fervor. Every year we celebrate this drink with a big party. Enjoying a Piña Colada in Puerto Rico is delighting in the sunsets, the fresh breeze, the colorful views and the warm sand. It's about putting your worries aside and meeting new people. Here is a video of our iconic drink. 

Carmen M. Pérez Velázquez