Tuesday proved to be a very interesting night at Finns Corner Pub (660 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11238 (347-663-9316)). We had a nice vibe at the bar. People were happy and giving off good energy.
I had a bartender at the bar that works at two of the top cocktail bars in Puerto Rico come in with a friend. It was nice to shake off some of the cocktail rust in talking shop with her. At the same time we had a couple sitting at the bar from Utah that was in earshot of the conversation and asked if they could join in. Hey, the more merrier I always say.
They actually had some great questions for us. One they asked was "When is it a good time to ask the bartender for a recommended drink." I answered that it depends on how the room is. A relatively slow and steady night is a good time to ask. A bar that is three deep is never a good time for questions and indecisiveness. Read the room folks.
The one they posed to the bartender from PR was "What is the most popular cocktail at her bars in Puerto Rico." Without missing a beat she said "La Piña Colada!!!"
Ah, La Piña Colada. The cocktail who took over the name of the Rupert Holmes song "Escape" and goes hand-in-hand with getting caught in the rain. Don't know it? Come on!!!!
Even the kids know the song since it plays right after the scene where the Magic Mirror introduces us and a martini drinking Lord Farquhard to Princess Fiona in the first Shrek movie.
But the question made me wonder: Who created the Piña Colada?
So as the story goes, once upon a time in the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico a bartender by the name of Ramon "Monchito" Marrero was slinging drinks at the Beachcomber Bar that was located in the Caribe Hilton luxury hotel. Why he put together rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice and heavy cream is beyond me. But the combination worked and the drink took off like wildfire.
For 35-years Monchito served his signature drink while at the Beachcomber. The cocktail was so popular that in 1978, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico made the Piña Colada the official cocktail of the island. Here is the official recipe for the Piña Colada from the Caribe Hilton website:
Original Piña Colada Recipe
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce coconut cream
1 ounce heavy cream
6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
½ cup of crushed ice
Add the rum, coconut cream, heavy cream and pineapple juice in a
blender. Add the ice and blend until smooth for about 15 seconds. Serve
in a 12-ounce glass. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge and a
maraschino cherry.
I highly recommend that you watch the following video that's a touching celebration of Monchito by many of the bartenders that worked with him throughout the years at the Caribe Hilton.
But as with the history of many cocktails, there is a little controversy concerning its origin and creation.
The Barrachina Restaurant in El Viejo San Juan lays claim to being the place with the Piña Colada was created. They state that the cocktail was created by Ramon Portas Mingot in 1963. The following video from Cheap Caribbean interviews Barrachina bartender Jorge Ayala, who explains the origins of their Piña Colada.
48 oz Pineapple Juice – Cans 15 oz of Coconut Cream (Coco Lopez or Goya) 10 oz of Water (If you use ice and a blender, do not add the water)
Barrachina recommends that you do not mix the blend with ice. Instead freeze the mix stirring occasionally until frozen. Then add rum (to your taste) into a glass and add the frozen mix. Decorate with a cherry and pinaeapple chunks.
Have you had any of these famous Piña Coladas? If so, drop me a comment letting me know how you liked them. Finn's is still serving our Pina Colada as the weather remains warm. So swing on by and get yourself one.
Until Then May You Have Some Happy, Safe and Responsible Drinking,
SiscoVanilla
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