The Original Piña Colada Rum — And The Richer Version An Expert Recommends
By Luna Regina
Published on March 29, 2026.
The original Piña Colada Rum, invented in 1954 by Ramon "Monchito" Marrero, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton, used a bottle of Don Q rum as the spirit base for the drink. However, experts suggest that a mediocre bottle can turn out cloyingly sweet and not the fruity and bright drink that you're probably expecting. Chris Gaspar, bartender at The Rum House in New York City, recommends the Gran Reserva 7, which has been aged for seven years in an oak barrel and can bring a richness that's hard to beat. Despite not being a particularly expensive bottle of rum, try to do this good dram justice. The recommended recipe includes pineapple juice and coconut cream, fresh pineapple chunks, and coconut milk.
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