A frosty and delightfully creamy concoction of pineapple, rum, and coconut cream, the Piña Colada, was first created in Puerto Rico in 1954. Although its history is contested among Puerto Ricans, it is rumored that the bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero first prepared it at the Caribe Hilton’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico on August 16, 1954. The hotel had requested that Monchito mix a new signature drink that embodied the flavors of the island and shortly after he accepted the challenge, the Piña Colada was born. Regardless of its history, we can all agree that this drink is pretty tasty. On July 10, we celebrate National Piña Colada Day so kick back with the tropical, frothy, boozy cocktail (preferably poured into a hurricane glass) and do the best thing possible with them… drink them!
National Piña Colada Day timeline
Some believe that the piña colada’s origins can be credited to the pirate Roberto Cofresí.
Brought to life at the Caribe Hilton Beachcomber Bar in Puerto Rico, two bartenders have fought over the right to claim this drink as their own.
Barrachina Restaurant claims that its head bartender, Ramon Portas Mingot, created the beverage.
Piña Colada is declared as the national drink of Puerto Rico.
National Piña Colada Day Activities
Make the island original
Monchito made no secret of his highly-adored, signature cocktail and the birthplace of it all, Caribe Hilton, features the recipe proudly on their website. Drink it the way that's it's been served for over 60 years now. Nothing beats drinking straight from the source.
Learn from a local
Part of preparing an authentic piña colada is learning the tricks of the trade straight from Puerto Rico. Ask a friend who's Puerto Rican or research some online Puerto Rican resources for recommendations on what to use for high quality, authentic ingredients. Your taste buds will thank you for getting the island flavors just right.
Party like it's 1954
Plan a get together with friends and blend up some piña coladas to celebrate this iconic drink. Island happy hour, anyone?
Why We Love National Piña Colada Day
It's an island vacation in a drink
Drinking the sweet, creamy, rum-based favorite, the Piña Colada, immediately transports you the the sun drenched, vibrant beaches of an island getaway. It's the perfect summer quaff and brings the island vibe to you no matter where you may be.
It tastes good even without the alcohol
This sweet and creamy treat is just as good even without the alcoholic kick. The velvety, sugary ingredients come together in a dessert-like concoction that can satisfy your sweet tooth no matter what age or drink preference you have.
It has it's own song
This drink is so great that people have to sing about it! Ask around and I'm sure you'll find at least one person who can recite back the world-famous Rupert Holmes song "Escape". "If you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain..."
National Piña Colada Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | July 10 | Thursday |
2026 | July 10 | Friday |
2027 | July 10 | Saturday |
2028 | July 10 | Monday |
2029 | July 10 | Tuesday |