National Pina Colada Day

A tropical beach scene with a colorful cocktail umbrella, coconut cream and pineapple, evoking the refreshing spirit of National Piña Colada Day.. — National pina colada day illustration

Hey Piña Colada lovers, grab your cocktail umbrellas! It's time to dive into the delectable history of National Piña Colada Day. Every year, the internet becomes a tropical paradise filled with coconut cream and pineapple as we celebrate this refreshing cocktail.

When is Pina Colada Day?

It's national pina colada day on the 10th July.

A sip of History

Our research identified 13173 online mentions of National Piña Colada Day. The hallmark of our celebration, a spike in mentions, occurred on July 10, 2017, making it the most pineapple-packed Piña Colada Day of the internet age! Perhaps a heatwave sent everyone scrambling for a cold refreshment, or maybe there was a sudden shortage of margaritas. We’ll never really know.

The Birth of the Piña Colada

Though the exact origin of the Piña Colada is still a debate, it is believed that Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí served the cocktail to boost his crew's morale. However, the recipe was unfortunately lost after his death in 1825. Don't despair, though; the modern Piña Colada as we know it was reportedly created in 1954 by bartender Ramón 'Monchito' Marrero in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Monchito spent three months shuffling ingredients before the perfect symphony of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice delighted his tastebuds. The drink became so iconic that in 1978, Puerto Rico declared the Piña Colada their national drink.

A Taste of Celebration

National Piña Colada Day, undoubtedly one of the most mouth-watering festivities of the year, offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in this sweet tropical cocktail. While July 10th officially marks the day, it appears any hot summer day can serve as an ideal pretext for whipping up this creamy delight. And let's remember, there's always the option for a virgin Piña Colada, proving that you don’t need to enjoy rum to be part of the fun!

History behind the term 'Pina Colada'

1952

The Birth of the Piña Colada

The term 'Piña Colada' was first used in 1952. It is a Spanish term which translates to 'strained pineapple.' The cocktail was created by a bartender named Ramón 'Monchito' Marrero at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Monchito experimented with various combinations of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice to create the perfect tropical drink. The Piña Colada quickly gained popularity among hotel guests and locals alike.

1978

The Iconic Song

In 1978, the Piña Colada became even more famous when the song 'Escape (The Piña Colada Song)' by Rupert Holmes was released. The song tells the story of a man who is bored with his current relationship and finds solace in the personal ads of a newspaper. He responds to an ad seeking someone who enjoys piña coladas, only to find out that the person behind the ad is his current partner. The song's catchy tune and reference to the tropical drink propelled the Piña Colada into the mainstream. It topped the charts and became a cultural phenomenon.

2004

Official National Piña Colada Day

In 2004, the United States officially recognized July 10th as National Piña Colada Day. This day celebrates the tropical cocktail and encourages people to indulge in the refreshing combination of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. It serves as a reminder of the Piña Colada's cultural significance and its ability to transport drinkers to a sunny beach in Puerto Rico with just one sip.

Did you know?

Did you know that the song 'Escape (The Piña Colada Song)' by Rupert Holmes has nothing to do with the cocktail's origin and was rather titled so after the song was released? Rupert initially named it 'Escape.' After it became a hit, the record label added the catchy Piña Colada reference, and the rest is cocktail-sipping history.