Piña Colada

The piña colada originally hails from Puerto Rico, and there was a time that ordering one was as fashionable as big earrings and even bigger hair (around the 70s and 80s). And who can forget the 1979 Rupert Holmes song "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)?"

Nothing beats the coconutty, creamy, pineappley sweetness of a real piña colada, and this recipe delivers on all fronts.

Learn how to make a piña colada so you can get happy hour started at home whenever you want.

What Is A Piña Colada?

"Piña Colada" literally translates to "strained pineapple." It entered the pantheon of tropical drinks sometime in the mid-20th century using Puerto Rican white rum, and it has been Puerto Rico’s national drink since 1978.

While it’s not completely agreed upon where and when the piña colada was invented, many think that a group of bartenders, headed by Ramón "Monchito" Marrero Perez, created it at the Caribe Hilton in Old San Juan in 1954 by serving it as a welcome drink—in a coconut, no less.

The Barrachina, another restaurant also in Old San Juan, disagrees with this history. A plaque on the building argues that their bartender, Ramon Portas Mingot, had the honors of creating the first piña colada in 1963.

Around the same time, the piña colada started to become well-known to Tiki cocktail fans—and panned for its one-note profile. As Jeff Berry writes in Beachbum Berries Potions of the Caribbean, the drink "has no sour component. It’s all 'sweet' and 'weak.'"

Ingredients for a Piña Colada

A balanced combination of pineapple juice, white rum, cream of coconut, and bitters creates a refreshing cocktail with the ideal level of sweetness. Dark rum adds an additional kick you'll appreciate. To make this piña colada, you'll need:

• Pineapple juice: Adds a tropical, fruity flavor and tanginess to the drink.
• White rum: The main alcoholic component of the drink, with a mild, sweet flavor.
• Cream of coconut: Adds sweetness, creaminess, and a punch of coconut flavor to the drink.
• Bitters: For added complexity and depth, and to help balance the sweetness of the drink.
• Ice: Blended in to chill and froth up the drink.
• Dark rum: Optional, for floating over the drink for a boost in rum flavor.
• Fresh pineapple, maraschino cherry, and lime wedge: Optional, for garnish.

How To Make a Piña Colada

Making piña coladas at home couldn't be easier. The full recipe and ingredients are below, but here are the steps you need to know to get started.

• Step 1. Gather ingredients: You'll just need a blender, some ice, and a tall glass for serving.
• Step 2. Blend it up: Simply blend the pineapple juice, rum, cream of coconut, bitters, and ice until smooth.
• Step 3. Pour and serve: Pour into a tall glass (you can freeze your glass head of time to keep it extra cold) and garnish as desired. Don't forget to top with dark rum for a final boozy touch before serving, so that first sip is everything you want it to be.
  

Piña Colada Variations

In recent years, mixologists from the island have been re-introducing the piña colada to customers as a shaken drink rather than frozen, as well as incorporating bitters and lime juice. (We use these tricks in this classic recipe to add depth, and while you can shake and pour this cocktail out over the rocks, we admit that we like it better frozen, especially during those hot summer months in the South.)

Piña coladas can vary widely based on who's blending them up. If you're interested in adding your own unique twist to this cocktail, consider these variations:

• Fruit: Add fresh or frozen mango, mixed berries, banana, papaya, or other tropical fruits into the mix for a fruit-forward addition.
• Spice: A hint of cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger, or using a spiced rum can add warmth and depth to the drink.
• Citrus: Add a splash of orange, lemon, or lime juice for a bright, citrusy addition.
• Mojito twist: Muddle in fresh mint for a piña colada-mojito twist.
• Vanilla: Use vanilla rum or add a hint of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a floral touch.
• Blue Hawaiian: Add blue curaçao for a vibrant blue color and hint of bitter orange flavor.
• Virgin piña colada: Omit the rum and add coconut water or milk for a light and refreshing result.

Our Tips for Making the Best Piña Colada

Make the average, so-so pina colada the best you've ever made with these smart tricks:

• Use crushed ice: Getting the right consistency at home while using ice from your freezer is sometimes a little tricky. It helps to crush your ice first in your blender, then add the ingredients and blend again. Or you can use a bullet-style blender that you use for smoothies, if you have one, to get the drink super creamy.
• Coconut smarts: For the most part, the ingredients for a piña colada are easy to find in supermarkets and liquor stores, but in some parts of the South, you might have a hard time locating cream of coconut; we found it in the coffee section at Publix. If you can’t find Coco Lôpez Cream of Coconut, you can substitute an equivalent amount of coconut milk adjusted with simple syrup. You can also use sweetened condensed coconut milk and cut it down by a half-ounce along with some lime juice. Otherwise, you will wind up with a very sweet drink.
• Booze news: A typical piña colada only has a standard shot of liquor in it, which is 1.5 ounces. Many people find that to be a low-alcohol drink these days. In this recipe, we add another half-ounce of dark rum for a floater. The aged rum adds vigor to the flavor profile. However, if you prefer the cocktail in its classic proportions, you can leave this out.
• Garnish with lime: Finally, we include a wedge of lime to spritz on top along with the traditional pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry garnishes. This gives it a fresh tropical scent and flavor. But again, this is optional if you prefer a more standard model piña colada.
  

More Tropical Cocktail Recipes You'll Love

There's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a chilled, fruity cocktail. Whether you're sitting on the porch or poolside, these fruit-forward cocktails will transport you to a tropical paradise with your first sip:

• Strawberry Daiquiri
• Watermelon Daiquiri
• Honeysuckle-Watermelon Cocktails
• Pineapple-Coconut Fizz
• Rum Swizzle
• Strawberry Piña Colada
• Blackberry Mojito
• Bama Breeze Cocktail

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.