Today Pina Colada is one of the ten most popular cocktails. It is prepared in almost all countries of the world. So, it's time to get acquainted with the history of this exotic drink.
Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico, Pina Colada - in our minds these words are closely related to relaxation. I remember the sound of the surf, the warm gentle wind, the bright sun, romantic dates … And I want to give up everything, forget about problems and plunge into the world of beauty and passion. But even if this is not possible, choose an hour or two, go to a cafe and indulge yourself with a Pina Colada cocktail - the hallmark and pride of Puerto Rico.
It is reliably known that Pina Colada was invented in the middle of the twentieth century in one of the Puerto Rican bars. Although many dreamed of being the author of the recipe for this tropical drink. Rumor has it that a similar invigorating mixture based on rum, coconut and pineapple was poured out to his sailors by the pirate Roberto Cofresi in 1820. But after his death, the recipe for the drink of the filibusters was lost. In addition, Barcelona's Ricardo Gracia claimed to have invented this cocktail in 1914, and the mainstream newspapers in America have occasionally mentioned drinks with a similar composition since 1906.
According to one version, the cocktail was presented to the public on August 16, 1954 at the Beachcamber bar at the Caribbean Hilton Hotel in San Juan. Its creator is the bartender Ramon Marrero Perez. The drink contained light rum, freshly squeezed and strained pineapple juice and a secret ingredient, Coco Lopez coconut cream (a mixture of coconut cream and cane sugar), which was invented by Professor Ramon Lopez Irizarri of the University of Puerto Rico the same year. By the way, after his discovery, the scientist gave up science and became a successful businessman.
Another story attributes the invention of the cocktail to bartender Ramon Portas Mingot. He worked at La Barracina, where in 1963 he made the first cocktail of pineapple juice, coconut cream and condensed milk for his friend and bar owner in 1963. The enterprising owner of the establishment immediately realized that the drink had a great future, and in order to immortalize this moment, he hung a memorial plaque in the bar. It indicated the date of creation, the name of the inventor and the name of the drink - pigna colada (this is how it sounds in Spanish). The drink owes its beautiful name to its main ingredient - pineapple juice (pina - "pineapple", colada - "strained").
The tropical cocktail quickly gained widespread popularity. It was drunk not only by famous people, but also by heroes of literary works. The original taste and smell of Pina Colada was used to create eau de toilette, tobacco and cosmetic products.
In modern bars, the cream is replaced with coconut liqueur, so the cocktail is easier to prepare and a little sweeter.
Non-alcoholic Pina Colada recipe: 110 ml pineapple juice, 60 ml coconut cream or coconut liqueur, 1 cup ice, orange or pineapple for garnish.
In a blender, combine ice, pineapple juice and coconut cream. Stir until smooth. Pour the drink into glasses and garnish with a slice of orange or pineapple.
