Do you know that the tiny Caribbean island of Puerto Rico celebrates a National Pina Colada day? Yes. You read that right. Every year on July 10, Puerto Ricans pay tribute to the fruity sweet cocktail beverage. Why? Because Pina Colada has its origin in Puerto Rico. The people of Puerto Rico are so proud of the cocktail that they have made the Pina Colada their national drink. And why should they not? The cocktail’s basic ingredients (coconut and pineapple) are abundantly available. The cocktail is refreshing and suitable for the eternal summer of Puerto Rico.

The best way to celebrate National Pina Colada day is to give interesting twists to the drink. The original recipe calls for mixing white rum, coconut milk, pineapple juice and crushed ice. All these are blended until smooth. The resultant cocktail has a creamy consistency, sweet flavor, and a fruity aroma. Whether you’re celebrating National Pina Colada Day or not, you can certainly make different variations of the tropical cocktail. Here are a few interesting twists to the pretty looking Pina Colada.

• Berry-Packed Pina Colada: This one is also known as Lava Flow for its vibrant reddish-black color that resembles lava. For this, you have to do away with the coconut milk altogether. Blend in strawberry daiquiri mix and flavored rum with fresh strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
• Staten Island Ferry: The basic flavors of this variation of Pina Colada is the same as the classic recipe. Instead of coconut milk, you use coconut rum. Fill your cocktail glass with ice. Over the ice, pour pineapple juice and the coconut rum. Unlike the classic Pina Colada, this one will not have a creamy consistency.
• Bourbon and Coconut: In this twist to Pina Colada, rum is replaced with bourbon. Blend bourbon with coconut cream and pineapple juice to have this very grown-up version of the tropical cocktail.
• Amaretto Colada: This recipe calls for mixing rum and amaretto by half and a half. Mix coconut cream and pineapple juice. Blend everything together. Top it off with a generous amount of cherries.
• Belizean Pina Colada: This recipe gives a Belizean twist to the tropical Pina Colada. Blend evaporated milk, white rum, pineapple juice and crushed ice until you get a smooth mixture. Pour it into a cocktail glass and serve with a slice of pineapple wedged on the rim of the glass.
• King Henry: this royal-sounding variation of Pina Colada has a pithy second name, Chi Chi. The origin of this name is unknown. In this, replace the rum with vodka. Mix the vodka of your choice with pineapple juice and coconut milk.