It's the ultimate tropical drink, perfect when lounging by the pool on a hot day.
It's also considered Puerto Rico's official drink and the Caribe Hilton claims the original piña colada was created by one of their bartenders, Ramón "Monchito" Marrero.
According to the hotel, back in 1954, Monchito spent a few months mixing coconut cream, heavy cream, pineapple juice and crushed ice in an effort to make the best beverage to welcome guests.
Apparently, the original recipe did not include rum. At the time, the Puerto Rican rum industry was pushing hard to promote their products so maybe that’s why Monchito chose white rum as another ingredient for his creation.
This is a drink I usually avoid because there are versions that are too sweet, too boozy or topped with whipped cream (!!). Nevertheless, curiosity drove me to the hotel to verify if they still know how to prepare it.
While the hotel’s renovated lobby feels impersonal, the service at Caribar is warm and friendly. Skip the tapas menu and go straight for this drink, which was as good as advertised: refreshing, silky, served in a wine glass with a fresh pineapple wedge and a real cherry. It's still a perfect blend of flavors to make anyone feel welcome so it's fair to say Monchito's legacy lives on.
Hasta la próxima.
Yanira
