The Caribe Hilton Hotel, one of the most famous in San Juan, is the site of two origin stories of the piña colada. On one hand, the hotel claims that the piña colada was invented in 1954 by a bartender named Ramón "Monchito" Marrero, after working three months on an original drink for the hotel, and that he served the cocktail until his retirement in the late 1980s. According to reports, Hollywood actress Joan Crawford declared that the drink tasted "better than slapping Bette Davis in the face," another movie legend with whom she had a famous dispute.
On the other hand, Ricardo Gracia, who was another bartender at the same hotel, claimed that he invented the drink in 1954, as a result of his innovation due to the scarcity of coconuts.
In a third version of the story, the Barrachina Restaurant claims to be the birthplace of the piña colada and has a plaque at the entrance commemorating its invention. Apparently, the restaurant owner convinced a Spanish mixologist named Ramón Portas in Buenos Aires to become the head bartender, and it was he who began serving the drink to customers in 1963.
Although it is not exactly known who invented the famous piña colada, some things are certain. The drink has traveled far, has fans around the world, and was more than just a passing trend.
