- National Piña Colada Day on July 10 is a timely moment to celebrate the iconic tropical drink’s Puerto Rican roots and its origin story at Caribe Hilton in San Juan.
- The original piña colada was created in 1954 at Caribe Hilton, where bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero crafted a tropical welcome drink that became one of Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ most iconic food and beverage firsts.
As temperatures soar across the country, people are looking for any excuse to slow down, cool off and embrace a vacation mindset. Fortunately, National Piña Colada Day arrives on July 10, offering the perfect reason to do just that.
In 1954, the iconic piña colada was created at Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico, where bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero brought the vision to life. Tasked with creating a drink that captured the spirit of the island and welcomed guests to the resort, Marrero combined coconut cream, fresh pineapple juice, heavy cream and crushed ice into something that would outlast every trend that followed. When rum entered the mix, the drink took on a life of its own. Since then, it has remained a cultural staple, blending island flavor, hospitality and a sense of vacation in every glass.
What started as a handcrafted welcome drink is now one of the most recognized cocktails in the world and one of the most celebrated firsts for the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. A pioneer of innovations like the first air-conditioned hotel, airport hotel, and even the first brownie, Hilton continues to revolutionize the stay no matter the occasion.
The piña colada is no different. Marrero was the kind of host who understood that the right drink at the right moment could define a guest’s entire stay. That instinct is still at the core of what Hilton Hotels & Resorts does today, providing energizing spaces for guests to spark authentic connections and experience some of the world’s most iconic creations.
This National Piña Colada Day, skip the mix and make it from scratch following Ramón “Monchito” Marrero’s original recipe. Or book a stay at a Hilton Hotels & Resorts property and sip the original where it all began, poolside at Caribe Hilton in San Juan.
To learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts, visit Stories from Hilton.
FAQ: This National Piña Colada Day, Celebrate with Hilton Hotels & Resorts’ Iconic Recipe
When is National Piña Colada Day celebrated?
National Piña Colada Day takes place each year on July 10.
What makes the piña colada connected to Puerto Rico?
The drink’s story is rooted in San Juan, where Caribe Hilton bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero developed the recipe as a refreshing welcome for hotel guests. Its blend of pineapple, coconut and island spirit helped it become closely associated with Puerto Rico’s travel and hospitality culture.
How can readers make the original Caribe Hilton recipe at home?
Readers can recreate the drink by combining rum, coconut cream, heavy cream, fresh pineapple juice and crushed ice, then garnishing it with pineapple and a cherry. For a non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the rum while keeping the same tropical base.
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