Piña Coladas In The Tropics

The frogs are the size of your thumbnail, the grasshoppers are the size of your hand, and the fallen leaves in the road are so big they look like roadkill. Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! It is one of the most spectacular places on Earth. The people are kind and friendly. The streets are clean as a whistle, and the scenery is world class.

Mountains, beaches, rain forests…. Costa Rica has it all! The vegetation and jungle critters are unreal. It almost looks fake – white faced monkeys jumping limb to limb, iguanas as big as small row boats meandering across the road, and trees are dripping with all kinds of fresh, ripe tropical fruits. It’s an experience second to none. Even grocery shopping is an experience!

Pina colada
Pina colada
Paradise in a cup!

I am a firm believer that when in a foreign country, it is imperative to attempt to speak the local language. So I’ve been brushing up on my Spanish. (It’s been a LONG time since my Spanish high school class, so I invested a bit in the Fluenz Spanish Program. It’s actually really good!) Off I went to the grocery store/local market/fish monger/roadside stand to find something fabulously local that I could whip up for dinner.

pina colada
Refreshing Piña Coladas in the tropics

Well, here are a couple of tips when shopping in a foreign country, having only rudimentary knowledge of the language – know the difference between this and that, especially when what you want (chicken breast) is right in front of something that not only have you never seen before, but looks like something that shouldn’t be displayed in public (some type of animal testicles?). Also, when you see something interesting on a roadside stand labeled mamon, you might want to know how to pronounce it before you go into the grocery store asking for it, since it is quite possible (likely, in fact) that mamon (depending on the pronunciation) also means “a stupid idiot.” That doesn’t exactly go over well….

pina colada
Here are the Mamons! Just make sure to pronounce it correctly!

In the end, I decided to go with what I know – Piña Coladas! It’s made with ingredients I recognize, are easy to find (no mamons necessary), and that I can easily pronounce (in any language! Although, it took a bit for the kind folks at the grocery store to understand that when I asked for “rum” it was the same thing as what they call “ron”). And there’s just something about a cool, creamy, pineapple-y, Piña Colada that confirms, yes, I am on vacation! Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making one at home and pretending you’re on vacation. Just close your eyes and try to picture the colorful toucans flying overhead as you listen to the howler monkeys roar deep in the jungle. Welcome to paradise! Where is your favorite tropical paradise? Leave a comment below!

 Piña Colada
Pina Coladas in Costa Rica! Awesome!

 

P.S. If you really are interested in learning Spanish, I highly recommend the Fluenz program. My sister and I both purchased it and love it! You can just follow this link to get it. Learn Spanish: Fluenz Spanish (Latin America) 1+2+3+4+5 for Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad & Android Phones, Version 3

Cost Rica Sunset for Pina Colada
A slice of heaven! Costa Rica

Pina colada

Piña Coladas In The Tropics

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

When all else fails, make this easy, creamy, refreshing pina colada and you'll feel like you're on vacation!

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Pina Colada Mix
  • 3 Ounces rum, You could add 4!
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Pineapple, Chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 2 Tabelspoons Heavy Cream
  • 3 Cups ice

Instructions

  1. Put liquids in blender first, then add solids and ice. Blend until creamy, approximately one minute. Garnish with fresh pineapple and pretend you're on vacation!
[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Piña Coladas In The Tropics – When all else fails, make this easy, creamy, refreshing pina colada and you'll feel like you're on vacation! – Pina Colada Mix, rum (You could add 4!), Fresh Pineapple (Chopped, plus more for garnish), Heavy Cream, ice, , Put liquids in blender first, then add solids and ice. Blend until creamy, approximately one minute. Garnish with fresh pineapple and pretend you're on vacation! ; ; – – Appetizer – Drinks – Snack – American – Mexican – Appetizer – Drinks – Easy – No cooking – Popular[/wpurp-searchable-recipe]

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4 Comments

  1. The only tropical place I have been was Hawaii when I was young. It was amazing though I know as an adult I would have a greater appreciation for the foods & experiences.

    I love Pina Coladas, and I may have to make a few thing weekend.

    1. Yep! Hawaii is awesome! My sister used to live there. She’s always talking about going back! Enjoy the Pina Coladas!