You’re not here for a bland Pina Colada recipe, you want the best Pina Colada recipe in the world. I don’t blame you. Honestly I’ve had some pretty bad Pina Coladas in my day. A bad one can ruin the drink you on the drink for a long time. But a good one? Wow! A good Pina Colada is something that can change your entire night.
I’m here to give you the best Pina Colada recipe out there, so you can make it at home and impress your friends with your Caribbean co*cktail skills.
Before we jump into the recipe, the drink actually has an interesting history. Here’s a battle for who first created it. All I know is this type of drama tastes great.
History and Origination of the Pina Colada
Known as the official drink of Puerto Rico, the Piña Colada was created in San Juan and has become a staple co*cktail enjoyed all over the world. But who first invented the Pina Colada? The drink’s roots take us to theBeachcomber Bar at Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
It’s said that today’s “modern Pina Colada recipe” was perfected at the Caribe Hilton’s Beachcomber bar. The story goes that the drink was introduced on August 16th, 1954 by a man named Ramon “Monchito” Marrero. He was under orders from the hotel to come up with a new signature drink that would excite the hotel’s clientele. So Ramon started mixing and the Pina Colada was born.
But not so fast. Another bartender at the Caribe Hilton who goes by the name of Ricardo Gracia has claims as well. Ricardo said he invented the drink in 1954 as well, but some say that his Pina Colada was different and included Coco Lopez cream of coconut due to a coconut shortage. I didn’t know Caribbean islands could run out of coconuts, but that is the story.
To deepen the Pina Colada recipe controversy, a third story of the drink’s creation lies with the Restaurant Barrachina. The restaurant’s owner, who claims the invention of the Pina Colada with a plaque by the restaurant’s entrance, says in 1963 the restaurant owner asked for a new drink from bartender Ramon Portas Mingot.
While the origins or the Pina Colada might be hazy, the taste is not.
Now let’s find out how to make the best Pina Colada recipe in the world.
Best Piña Colada Recipe in the World
Ingredients:
- 6 oz Bacardi Black rum
- 8 oz Cream of coconut (Coco Lopez)
- 8 oz Pineapple juice
- Ice
- 1 wedge Pineapple
How to Make: Combine Rum, Cream of Coconut and Pineapple Juice in a regular sized blender. Blend on low speed to mix liquid ingredients. Fill blender to top with ice. Blend on high speed until ice is grainy. Pour into hurricane glass and garnish with pineapple wedge. Raise glass and toast.
To make this even better, I often add a Myers Rum floater on top.
Best Pina Colada Recipe Video
Let me know what your take on the Piña Colada is. Do you have a better way to make one? Should we all travel to San Juan and so some Pina Colada taste testing? Hit us up on Instagram at @CaribbeanCastaways and tag us in a photo of your home made Pina Colada.
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Want More Caribbean Rum Drinks?
Click here to see our list of 52 rum drinks and how to make them. Invite some friends over and impress them with your rum skills, because each one tastes like paradise in a glass.
Every good mixologist needs some good co*cktail making gear. I recommend this co*cktail mixing set, it has everything you need and it’s what I use at home.
If you’re planning a trip to the islands, make sure you grab a Caribbean Preferred Discount Card. It’s the largest collection of Caribbean discounts on the internet and it will save you hundreds. It can even get you free drinks at some pretty awesome bars and restaurants throughout the islands! You’ll love it.
Enjoy your Pina Colada!
Cheers,
Ryan – RumShopRyan
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FAQs
Coco Lopez coconut cream is the original and best Cream of Coconut, a delicious cream made from the tender meat of sun ripened Caribbean coconuts and blended with the perfect portion of natural cane sugar. This product is ideal for tropical drinks and desserts! Great for making Pina Colada and other amazing co*cktails.
What kind of rum is best for pina colada? ›
The 6 Best Rums for Piña Coladas
- Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum.
- Monkey Rum With Toasted Coconut.
- Sugar Island Coconut Rum.
- Brinley Gold Shipwreck Coconut Rum.
- Crusoe Organic Rum.
- Doorly's Macaw White Rum.
There's no question that the best piña colada you´ll ever have will be in Puerto Rico, its birthplace. But have you ever wondered about the origin of our national drink's main ingredient? Join us as we visit the pineapple farm in Arecibo, Campo Alegre, which produces around 350,000 boxes of pineapples a year.
What is the difference between a pina colada and a coco colada? ›
The Coco Colada is a lighter, non-blended Pina Colada variation. Instead of heavily sweetened coconut cream, this drink uses coconut water and light orange juice. These slight changes cut the calories drastically while still allowing authentic tropic flavor to shine through.
Is Goya cream of coconut the same as coconut cream? ›
Similar name aside, cream of coconut is a totally different product than coconut cream, which is simply coconut milk with a higher proportion of coconut solids to produce a high-fat, whippable substance—but without any sugar.
Should I use coconut milk or coconut cream? ›
Coconut cream uses a higher ratio of the flesh and has more fat. You'll find coconut cream is used frequently in dessert recipes but can be subbed for coconut milk if you're looking for an extra thick curry sauce. (This Summer Coconut Chickpea Curry from Half Bake Harvest looks fantastic.)
What is the main alcohol in a Piña Colada? ›
In order to make a Piña Colada, one of the most important ingredients is light rum.
Do you put white or dark rum in a Piña Colada? ›
While the classic Piña Colada is made with white rum, you can always experiment with different flavors. Try a gold rum to bring a bit more warmth, or a spiced rum for a unique co*cktail.
Should I use Malibu for Piña Colada? ›
The luscious blend of Malibu Original brings a smooth kick, while the sweet notes of pineapple and the creamy coconut create a harmonious dance of flavors that's both refreshing taste and indulgent. It's like how you would describe a beach party in flavors, complete with the cool breeze and the sound of waves crashing!
Is Bacardi rum good for pina colada? ›
The original was created in 1954 with BACARDÍ, so skip the mix and serve it today like it was should be served: with fresh pineapple and lime juice, cream of coconut and, of course, BACARDÍ Superior Rum.
Díaz de Villegas's book, the original Monchito recipe was to pour 85 grams of cream of coconut, 170 grams of pineapple juice and 43 grams of white rum into a blender or shaker with crushed ice, blend or shake very well until smooth, then pour into chilled glass and garnish with pineapple wedge and/or a maraschino ...
Is Captain Morgan good for pina colada? ›
If you're wondering how to make a Piña Colada, then of course the Captain has you covered. Our version features Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum to add delicious spice. Mini umbrellas optional. For an even creamier Piña Colada co*cktail, add in a dollop of double cream.
What liquor is best for Piña Colada mix? ›
Port of Entry Rum
Perfect for building your signature Piña Colada recipe. Port of Entry Rum is complex, but not overpowering. It adds hints of sweet butter, but lets the rest of the tropical co*cktail's ingredients share the spotlight.
Is coconut cream or coconut milk better for Piña Colada? ›
Can I Make a Piña Colada with Coconut Milk? Technically, yes. However, I've found that cream of coconut makes for the best piña coladas.
What to use instead of cream of coconut in Piña Colada? ›
The piña colada is a very thick drink, even the shaken version. To lighten it up, fill the glass with crushed ice before straining the co*cktail. If you can't find cream of coconut, you can use coconut cream—just be sure to add sugar or simple syrup, to taste, to compensate for the lack of sweetness.
Is coconut cream the same as coconut heavy cream? ›
What Is Coconut Cream? It's the non-dairy equivalent of heavy cream, derived from the meat of coconuts. Heavy whipping cream is essentially the fat that collects at the top of milk before it's hom*ogenized. Coconut cream is the thicker liquid that rises to the top when coconut milk is made.
Is Coco Lopez cream of coconut the same as coconut milk? ›
“Coconut milk has a higher water content than coconut cream, but both are blended concoctions of coconut water and coconut meat.” Coconut cream, however, has more coconut meat in the mixture, making it thicker and richer.
What's the difference between sweetened condensed coconut milk and coconut cream? ›
Coconut cream is the same thing as coconut milk—coconut meat blended with water—but it contains less water. While coconut milk is thin like cow's milk, coconut cream is thick like whipped cream. You can find this fat-rich cream floating on the top of any canned coconut milk, or you can buy it in a dedicated can.
Is cream of coconut the same as piña colada? ›
The piña colada is a classic Puerto Rican co*cktail made with pineapple juice, white rum (also called light rum), and cream of coconut.
