Welcome back to our series sharing Unique Holidays: July 9th, 2021. Please check out the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which one you most would like to celebrate and why.
Pina Colada has a long and noble history, both as a Mixological standard, and as the heart of a song about not giving up on love, just because you think it’s gotten stale.
The name for the drink comes from the basis of its creation, Piña meaning “Pineapple” and Colada meaning “Strained.” Pina Colada is a delicious mix of all the things that speak to the Caribbean and tropical locales, with the Pineapple Juice mixed together with a rich Coconut Cream, spiked up with just a bit of White Rum into the mix.
Is there anything that speaks more of warm white sand beaches and beautiful azure skies than a drink that was born on those same shores?
History of the Pina Coladas
Five Facts about Pina Coladas
- Piña Colada, a drink created in Puerto Rico (Spanish: Piña, Pineapple + Colada, strained) is a sweet, Rum-based Cocktail made with Rum, Coconut Cream, and Pineapple Juice, usually served either blended or shaken with Ice.
- Piña Colada was created on August 16, 1954 at the Caribe Hilton’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico by its alleged creator, Ramón “Monchito” Marrero.
- Apparently, the hotel management had expressly requested Monchito to mix a new signature drink that would delight the demanding palates of its star-studded clientele.
- Monchito accepted the challenge, and after three intense months of blending, shaking and experimenting, the first Piña Colada was born.
- This story is more credible because the Piña Colada contains Coconut Cream as one of the primary ingredients, and the Coconut Cream of “Coco López” (which is the Pioneer) was invented in 1954 in the University of Puerto Rico by Ramón López Irizarry.
Recipe: Pina Colada
1 1/2 cup ice
1/2 cup diced pineapple, frozen
2 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces Coco Lopez coconut cream
1 1/2 ounces white rum
1 ounce dark rum
Pineapple slices
Directions
- Put the Ice, frozen Pineapple Juice, Coconut Cream, and the White and Dark Rums into a blender. Blend until smooth and frosty. Pour the drink into 2 glasses and garnish the rim with Pineapple slices.
‘Pick Blueberries’ Day
Blueberry Harvest begins in early to mid-July. and it should come as no surprise, that Pick Blueberry Day is today.
Native to North America, Blueberries are delicious, healthy and nutritious. Over 90% of all Blueberries are grown in North America. Did you know The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of Blueberries?
In 2012, the U.S. harvested total: 564.4 million pounds of cultivated and wild Blueberries. North American Natives called them “Star Berries’, as the blossom end has five points resembling a star.
From a health standpoint, everyone should eat plenty of these plump, Blueberries. Did you know Blueberries contain the highest level of Antioxidant of all Fruits and Vegetables.?
Blueberries are high in fiber, too. These little berries can have a huge, positive impact on your health. Medicinal benefits include improved memory and brain health, fights or helps to control, Alzheimer’s, certain Cancers, promote heart health, and much more.
Native Americans used Blueberry Juice for persistent coughs, and for good eyesight.
With all of the Medicinal benefits of Blueberries, you should celebrate Pick Blueberry Day in many ways, including:
- Go out and pick your own Blueberries. If you can’t get out to do so, buy Blueberries at your grocery store, garden center, or roadside stand.
- Eat plenty of Blueberries by adding them to your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
- Google Blueberry recipes and make one or two, and for family, friends, or for work.
- Make a plan to incorporate Blueberries into your daily diet.
- If your a gardener, plant a couple Blueberry bushes in your garden.
Also See:
The History and Origin of the Pick Blueberries Day:
Pick Blueberries Day appears to have begun in the early 2000’s.
There is some reference to this as a “National” day. But, it is only an occasional reference.
Recipe for Blueberry Pie
¾ cup White Sugar
3 tablespoons Cornstarch
¼ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon ground Cinnamon
4 cups fresh Blueberries
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1 tablespoon Butter
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Step 2
Mix Sugar, Cornstarch, Salt, and Cinnamon, and sprinkle over Blueberries.
Step 3
Line Pie dish with one Pie Crust. Pour Berry mixture into the crust, and dot with Butter. Cut remaining Pastry into 1/2 – 3/4 inch wide strips, and make lattice top. Crimp and flute edges.
Step 4
Bake Pie on lower shelf of oven for about 50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
