It's summer, and the heat has people second-guessing their decision to live in the calid corners of the earth. Herds of humans seek pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches for survival; the watering holes and oases of the civilized mammals during sweltering summers. This rising temperature reveals one commonality between the boujee and the broke; a desire for a revitalizing experience away from reality. With the discovery of the refreshing Piña Colada, everyone can get through the dread that triple-digits instills. The tropical fruit drink is a golden elixir of life. We're not exaggerating here, the fruit ingredient is an energizing source. Pineapple is abundant with Manganese, which is a co-factor in boosting the creation of enzymes responsible for producing energy within the body. It's also full of tryptophan, the amino acid your body uses to produce serotonin. So if you're looking for a summer filled with a euphoric sense of freedom, try this frothy pineapple cocktail.

Piña Colada

Prep time 5 minutes

Makes 2 serving

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole pineapple chunks (See notes for #pineapplepicking)
• 6 ounces pineapple juice
• 3 ounces cream of coconut (not coconut cream)
• 3 ounces light rum
• 3 cups crushed ice
• Pineapple wedges

Preparation

1. Mix whole pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, light rum, and ice in a blender until it is smooth.
2. Pour the mix into a hurricane glass
3. Garnish the glass with a pineapple wedge, aaand... voila! You've got yourself a Caribbean Island Getaway in a Glass

Notes

• When pineapple picking, look for a firm shell, free of bruises, with dark-green leaves and a sweet fragrance at the base
• Some people say flipping a pineapple upside-down will allow the juiciest part of the fruit to seep into the rest. Since the base is the part that was connected to the pineapple plant, it is the ripest and carries most of the sweet juice.
• Regeneration: If you save the leafy top of the pineapple and place it in the soil you can grow a new pineapple. You know what that means...More Piña Coladas!
• Coconut cream is unsweetened, which will give you an unimpressive slush of pineapple and rum without the creamy bliss. Cream of Coconut, on the other hand, optimizes sugar content!
• Make it a mocktail for the kids by simply omitting the rum

Elevate your summer staycation with this spirited drink! Although there is still much debate and uncertainty on who the true creator of the Piña Colada is, it is safe to say the drink evokes the tropical dream. For this reason, it has been declared the National Drink of Puerto Rico. The chilled concoction combines Caribbean aromas, refreshing notes, and crashing waves, all in one golden glass. Kick back from a weeklong workload and find a pleasant place poolside, lakeside, riverside, or beachside...Heck! Hit all the -sides this summer and take a mental #TropicsTrip. Being boujee on a budget has never been easier. Let Rupert Holmes' "Escape" soothe you into paradise with, "If you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain..."