In Pursuit of the Perfect Piña Colada Recipe

I spent a week in and around San Juan, Puerto Rico in late February of 2023. The Piña Colada was invented in the 19th century in Puerto Rico, by a pirate who wanted to “boost his crew’s morale”.

More importantly, the Piña Coladas is the best drink ever. I tried alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the Piña Colada at six different places, which I’ve listed below the places my friends and I visited. Once we returned to Indiana, my friend Ryan Brown and I spent 2 hours testing various iterations and combinations of ingredients in an attempt to recreate the magical beverage I couldn’t get enough of in Puerto Rico.

1. Hijole Cocina Mexicana (4.5/10)
   Av. Isla Verde, Carolina, 00979, Puerto Rico
   Type: Non-alcoholic
   This was the first place we visited after landing in San Juan. It was quite creamy, with a good amount of coconut. However, the drink was too sweet and there wasn’t enough pineapple.
   
2. Katrina (7/10)
   FPFC+P2G, Calle A, Dorado, 00646, Puerto Rico
   Type: Alcoholic
   Right amount of pineapple, not enough coconut. Right sweetness. At this point, I felt I preferred virgin Piña Coladas.
   
3. La Vaca Enfurecida (7.5/10)
   FPCC+J2M, Calle C, Dorado, 00646, Puerto Rico
   Type: Non-alcoholic
   Not too sweet. Coconut and pineapple blend very well together in this drink. I likey.
   
4. La Tortuga Bistro Bar (7.5/10)
   116 C. de San Sebastián, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
   Type: Non-alcoholic
   Ideal balance of coconut and pineapple. A bit too sweet.
   
5. La Tortuga Bistro Bar (9/10)
   116 C. de San Sebastián, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
   Type: Alcoholic
   This was when I found out that when executed correctly, the Piña Colada with rum is really really really ridiculously delicious. This part of old San Juan had a lot of cool bars and clubs, many of which only allow entry if you are 21+, including La Factoria, where part of Despacito was filmed. I’ll definitely make another trip here again.
   
6. Frutera Flores (8.5/10)
   Barrio mameyes 1 carr 3, km32 H 9, Luquillo, 00773, Puerto Rico
   Type: Alcoholic
   Stopped here on the way to El Yunque Rainforest from San Juan. This had more of a smoothie-like consistency (they did make it in a blender in front of you). All I have in my notes are “Fresh smoothie, delicious”

Recipe

Ingredients (serves 1)

1. 45 ml cream of coconut
2. 60 ml white rum
3. 30 ml pineapple juice
4. 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

Instructions

• Put everything in a blender
• Blend until there are no chunks
• Taste test! See if you like the consistency. Our blender is weak and didn’t completely destroy the pineapple chunks.
• Strain the drink for a smoother consistency.
• (Optional): Add whipped cream and a cherry on top!
  

Note: It may be worth exploring replacing cream of coconut with coconut cream for a richer coconut flavor/reduced sweetness. I believe Ryan and I did this but forgot to note down which one tasted better (oops).