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DON’T MISS: The 18 Best Hotels & Restaurants in San Juan, Puerto Rico
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As I wandered around Puerto Rico during a two-week visit (making use of our waterfront vacation condo in San Juan), I put together five top choices — and you may be surprised about choice number five! (If you’re looking for memorable cocktail recipes, be sure to check out LatinFlyer’s book, Mexican Cocktails: Libations & Inspiration from Top Hotels, Bars & Restaurants Around Mexico, which is available as an eBook for just $2.99 and as a PDF for just $5.99.)
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DON’T MISS: How to Plan a Perfect Weekend Vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico
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1. Piña colada: The debate will likely never be resolved about exactly where Puerto Rico’s most famous cocktail was born. One legend says that Ramon “Monchito” Marrero, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton (where President Obama stopped during his 2011 visit) invented it in 1954 (according to Frommer’s, when Joan Crawford sipped her first piña colada here, she said it was “better than slapping Bette Davis in the face”). Barrachina, a restaurant in Old San Juan, also claims to be the birthplace, but in 1963. Whichever is true, this rum-based cocktail made with cream of coconut and pineapple juice has become a perennial favorite around the world.
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DON’T MISS: Authentic Recipe for the Piña Colada — From Where it was Born!
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2. Cervecera de Puerto Rico: This company makes two local favorites: Medalla Light, a pale lager that is one of Puerto Rico’s best-selling beers, and Malta India, a carbonated malt beverage brewed from barley, hops and water.
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DON’T MISS: World Cup-inspired Cocktails from Puerto Rico and Brazil
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3. Coquito: Similar to egg nog, this alcoholic beverage is made with egg yolks, rum, coconut milk, coconut cream, condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. It is most commonly enjoyed during the Christmas holiday season.
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DON’T MISS: INFOGRAPHIC: The Price of Beer Around the World & The Best Beers in Latin America
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4. Gasolina: This line of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages is marketed with the tag line “party in a pouch,” and with good reason. Named literally after gasoline (although more likely the moniker was inspired by a popular reggaeton song called “Gasolina”), it’s available with six different varieties of spirits and fruit juices, all sold in a single-serving aluminum pouch complete with straw. Made in Puerto Rico and sold only in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Florida, Gasolina is not exactly a way to garner points with the upper class, but its easy portability has made it common site on the beach. (It’s a favored refreshment during outdoor events like the annual Noche de San Juan.)
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DON’T MISS: Panama City: A Guide to Central America’s Best Bars & Nightlife (PHOTOS)
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5. Baskin Robins Triple Shake: I know, I know, Baskin Robbins is not a Puerto Rican brand. But I’ve never found the Triple Shake product anywhere in the United States (or anywhere else, for that matter — even the cheery woman who has made me two of these this week says that the Triple Shake is not included as part of their company training). A multilayered calorie bomb of chocolate syrup, ice cream and whipped cream, it’s something like a giant liquid sundae (so kill me, I’m addicted to desserts).
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DON’T MISS: Alfajores & Energy Bars: Tasty Food, Recipes & Cooking Classes from Mexico & Uruguay
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Check out the new book from LatinFlyer.com
Mexico Cocktails: Libations & Inspiration from Top Hotels, Bars & Restaurants Around Mexico
eBook just $2.99; PDF just $5.99
CLICK HERE TO SEE SAMPLES & ORDER!