Our latest trip with Traveling Tastebuds is taking you to beautiful Puerto Rico to sip one of the island’s most iconic cocktails. Few drinks capture the spirit of a destination quite like the Piña Colada. With its blend of tropical pineapple, creamy coconut and rum, Puerto Rico’s iconic cocktail is as much a taste of the Island as its sun-drenched beaches and vibrant Caribbean culture. Now, mixologists from the James Beard Awardwinning bar, Identidad, are putting a contemporary spin on the classic with a recipe that brings a taste of Puerto Rico to your own home.
“Tonic Colada” Recipe:
Mix
- 1 oz Ron del Barrilito 3 Estrellas
- 3/4 oz fresh pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz coconut cream
- 1/4 oz brewed coffee
- 1/4 oz lemon juice
- 1 bar spoon (1 teaspoon) mirin
Add
- 1 dash saltwater solution (solution can be made using 1 part salt to 4 parts water by weight)
- 1 dash whole milk
- 1 splash tonic water
Garnish with
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Piña Colada gummy bears
After making your own creation, Puerto Rico invites travellers to visit the Island to sample some of its favourite twists on the Piña Colada. The classic is served almost everywhere, but for a unique experience, head to Señor Paleta for cooling Piña Colada popsicles, or try the ‘dessert colada’ at AC Hotel San Juan Condado, made with fresh pineapple compote, soft vanilla sponge and silky coconut mousse. If looking for something a little more traditional, the Coco Pirata (Coconut Pirate), served in a coconut shell at Villa Cofresí Hotel is a local favourite that combines no fewer than four different rums.
When staying in Puerto Rico, Caribe Hilton is the ultimate hotel of choice. In 1954, Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, a bartender at the hotel, invented the Piña Colada after being challenged to create a new welcome drink for guests. By blending rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, he created the iconic cocktail that people know and love today; continuing to serve his signature Piña Colada at the hotel for the next 35 years.
Please visit: Discover Puerto Rico for more information.
