If You Like Piña Coladas ... Sunday Is For You!

There are many strange holidays, to be sure. But we do like one that conjures up tropical images of rum, coconuts and pineapples!

Sunday, July 10, is "National Piña Colada Day."

And while it's hard to establish with certainty how that came to be, we do know that the Piña Colada has been the national drink of Puerto Rico since 1978! So let's celebrate!

A traditional recipe, according to references describing one of the self-proclaimed drink inventors from the 1950s, Ramón "Monchito" Marrero, is as follows:

Pour 3 ounces of coconut cream, 6 ounces of pineapple juice and 11⁄2 ounces of white rum into a blender or shaker with crushed ice, and blend or shake very well until smooth. Pour into chilled glass, garnish with pineapple wedge and/or a maraschino cherry.

This year, Midori shared with Patch a unique, easy-to-make twist on this favorite frozen treat that uses Midori® Melon Liqueur. (NOTE: While Midori and Cruzan alcohol are listed in the recipe, any brand of melon liqueur or rum can be substituted.)

We wish you a Happy National Piña Colada Day! Enjoy!

Midori® Colada

INGREDIENTS
2 parts Midori® Melon Liqueur
1 part Cruzan® Pineapple Rum
4 parts Colada Mix*
METHOD: Combine ingredients with ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a hurricane type glass and top with whipped cream and a pineapple/cherry stack.

*Colada Mix
INGREDIENTS
5 parts Coco Lopez® Cream of Coconut
8 parts Pineapple Juice
1 part Heavy Cream

METHOD: Combine all ingredients in a blender without ice and mix until well blended. Keep remaining mixture chilled (mixture should last between 5-7 days).

--Image courtesy of Midori

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Patch often shares innovative, seasonal cocktail recipes that put a new spin on old standards. To see a few of our favorites from the archives:

• 3 Cocktails To Put Patriotic Pizzazz In Your July 4th Parties - Mix these refreshing, fruity "sparklers" for this weekend's Independence Day festivities.
• Easter Brunch, Anyone? We Have Your Cocktails Covered - How does a "White Rabbit" sound? A "Strawberry Fields"? Or an "Orange-Raspberry Bellini"?
• Super Bowl 50 Team Cocktails: Blood Orange Broncos vs. Carolina Blue Juleps - Two drink concoctions that will make any game-day viewing party a win-win!
• New Year's Eve Cocktail: How to Make a Crystal Cosmopolitan - This winter libation will be the star of your next holiday gathering.
• Mull Over These: 2 Easy Spiced Wine And Punch Recipes For Holidays - If your gatherings need some punch and spice ... One is served over ice, the other warmed up. Happy holidays!
• Jalapeno Watermelon Margaritas! Ole! - How to spice up your Cinco De Mayo fiestas ...
• St. Patrick's Day Cocktail: How to Make a Jameson Julep