The Piña Colada originated in Puerto Rico during the mid-20th century, with its official national drink designation in 1978. Its history is somewhat debated, with some claiming that a variation was created in the 19th century by a pirate named Roberto Cofresi to invigorate his crew. The modern version was popularized in 1954 at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, where bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero developed the first blended Piña Colada, incorporating rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. Over the years, frozen variations gained popularity due to their refreshing appeal, especially in tropical locations.