Piña Colada is a sweet, rum-based cocktail. It contains light rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice blended with crushed ice. Two typical garnishes are a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry. Like most popular mixed drinks, the Piña Colada has variations that deviate somewhat from the basic recipe. Omitting the rum results in a Virgin Piña Colada. Some recipes use dark rum in addition to, or instead of, light rum. Others add dairy cream. A Chi Chi is identical to a Piña Colada, except that vodka is substituted for rum.

Origin

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There are several conflicting stories about the origin of this cocktail.

One legend has it that in 1957, a San Juan bartender sought to encapsulate the unique flavors of Puerto Rico in an alcoholic beverage.

A popular internet story goes: The man responsible for it is not from the Caribbean, but from Europe. His name is Ricardo Gracia -- born in Barcelona, Spain in 1914 in a small room above his grandfather's restaurant.

Quite literally born in the business of hospitality, Ricardo made his first drink at the age of 4 years old when he slipped behind his grandfather's bar. Even though he says he was "scolded" quite severely, he knew he had found his calling. Mr. Gracia grew up working, and it paid off. Eventually, he owned two of the finest restaurants in Barcelona where his success brought in many of the rich and famous.

In pop culture

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Piña Colada is known as the Official Beverage of Puerto Rico.

The Piña Colada was popularized by "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," a hit song by Rupert Holmes. It was also mentioned in 10cc's 1978 hit '"Dreadlock Holiday"'.

Garth Brooks sings about "Two Pina Coladas" in a hit song from his album Sevens.

See also

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• Coco Lopez
• Ramon Lopez Irizarry

External links

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Cocktails | Puerto Rican cuisine

Piña Colada | Piña colada | ピニャ・コラーダ | Piña Colada | Piña Colada | Piña Colada | Piña Colada