Discover The Best Pina Colada Recipe
Say cheers to National Pina Colada Day at the Caribe Hilton — the very place the summer cocktail was first invented.
Can you think of a drink that better embodies summer than a pina colada? Think about it — you’ve got coconut, which calls to mind golden beaches, and refreshing pineapple, which hints at tropical destinations just waiting for your PTO. Plus, this popular summer cocktail requires almost no prep time, making it the perfect drink for those lazy days of summer. And there’s no better day to grab your blender and say cheers to summer than July 10th — otherwise known as National Pina Colada Day and also the 68th anniversary of the drink’s invention at Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico.
Cocktail legend has it that the hotel’s bartender, Ramón “Monchito” Marrero was experimenting with blended drink recipes when he landed on the delicious mix of rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice. Marrero served up the icy summer cocktail for more than three decades, and saw it become the official drink of Puerto Rico. Luckily for you (and us!), Caribe Hilton is still serving up the original pina colada recipe for guests to enjoy. And for those in search of a more modern twist, well not to worry — they’ve got that covered too. Get ready for your next stay in paradise by following along and learning how to make the best pina colada recipe(s).
Caribe Hilton’s Original Pina Colada Recipe (serves one)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rum
- 1 ounce coconut cream
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
Optional
- pineapple slice
- maraschino cherry
Preparation
- Combine rum, cream of coconut, heavy cream and pineapple juice in a blender.
- Add ice and blend for 15 seconds.
- Pour into a 12-ounce glass and garnish with fresh pineapple and a cherry.
- Enjoy on repeat all summer long.
Espuma Colada (serves one)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Don Q Anejo rum
- ½ ounce Macorix Coco Splash coconut rum
- ½ ounce pineapple syrup
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 4 dashes black walnut bitters
- 3 ounces coconut lime cream (recipe below)
Optional
- mint sprig
- grated nutmeg
Preparation
- Combine the Don Q Anejo rum, Macorix Coco Splash coconut rum, pineapple juice, pineapple syrup and black walnut bitters in a shaker.
- Add ice and shake for at least 10 seconds.
- Strain into cocktail glass and top with the coconut lime cream.
- Garnish with mint sprig and grated nutmeg.
Coconut Lime Cream
Ingredients
- 4 ounces fresh lime juice
- 8 ounces Coco López cream of coconut
- 16 ounces water
- 4 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
- Pinch salt
Preparation
- Combine all the ingredients together in a storage container of your choosing.
- Whisk well and store in freezer until ready for use.
- When ready, spoon on top of your espuma colada.
Leanne Philip is a content marketing manager at Hilton. She has written for numerous print and digital platforms, including Travel + Leisure, The Atlantan and Barneys New York.
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Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,800 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2021 World's Best Workplaces list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for five consecutive years. In 2021, in addition to opening more than one hotel a day, Hilton introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 128 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
