It’s summer, what better way to enjoy a hot evening than with a delicious blended Piña Colada? Well July 10th is your day, it’s National Piña Colada day, so fire up those blenders!

Did you know that the Piña Colada is actually the national drink of Puerto Rico and has been since 1978! But where did it come from and why do two people hold the title for this drink’s creation?

First let us start with the translation of Piña Colada, it actually means strained pineapple. Pineapple juice is the main ingredient to a Piña Colada. Most of the world’s pineapples are grown in Puerto Rico, which is why the Piña Colada is their National Drink.

Now, like anything in history there are multiple stories of the creations and finings, the Piña Colada is no different. Two establishments Puerto Rico claim to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada.

In 1954 at the Caribe Hilton a bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero claims to have created the drink. Monchito experimented for three months with different recipes, finally he decided on one that felt like it was the true flavors of Puerto Rico. After 35 years of serving up this delicious drink at the Caribe Hilton, he was awarded the national drink of Puerto Rico in 1978. To celebrate the 60th anniversary in 2004 the Governor Alejandro García Padilla proclaimed the Caribe Hilton the birthplace of the Piña Colada.

The second place, Barrachina Restaurant claims to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada. The creators Ramón Portas Mingot and Pepe Barrachina worked together in 1963 combining ingredients into a blender creating the Piña Colada.

Now throw on that Hawaii shirt, put those cargo shorts on and slip on those flip-flops you’re going to hit that bar deck tonight! Just don’t get too close to those tiki torches!

Not in the mood to hit the bar tonight? Head over to Pinterst to get those recipes, then dust off that blender and hit the grocery store for the ingredients! Then you can sit in your yoga pants, watch Netflix and pretend you’re at the beach!

Want to know where you can find a Piña Colada in Pittsburgh?  Head over to BuzzNTheBurgh to find out, just click here!

As always don’t forget to share those pictures on Instagram! #NationalPinaColadaDay!

Please drink responsibly! Don’t drink and drive! To drunk to drive, call a friend, Lyft, Uber or a Taxi, but don’t drink and drive!