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Pina Colada Day

Hollywood legend Joan Crawford once described drinking a pina colada as “better than slapping Bette Davis in the face.”

While we can only imagine that pleasure,  we do know that the intensely tropical combination of cream of coconut, pineapple, and rum was a stroke of pure genius on the part of bartender Ramon “Monchito” Marrero.

pina colada

First served in 1954 at the Beachcombers Bar in Puerto Rico,  National Pina Colada Day is the perfect excuse to recreate the original recipe:

CARIBE HILTON’S PIÑA COLADA RECIPE
2 ounces rum
1 ounce cream of coconut
1 ounce heavy cream
6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
1/2 cup crushed ice

Mix rum, cream of coconut, heavy cream and pineapple juice in a blender. Add ice and mix for 15 seconds. Serve in a 12-ounce glass and garnish with fresh pineapple and a cherry.

Some possible updates to the classic recipe include subbing cream of coconut with coconut milk or (for the calorie conscious) coconut water. Adding a dash of lime for burst of citrus. Or freezing your pina colada and serving as a granita for a grown-up dessert.

Your call on the umbrella.

Photo: Getty Images

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