Discover Puerto Rico, the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the island, is excited to announce a delicious collaboration with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream to celebrate National Piña Colada Day on July 10 across their New York City locations. Honoring the rich heritage of the Piña Colada, which originated in Puerto Rico and is claimed by the famed Caribe Hilton, this celebration marks the 70th anniversary of the iconic drink and Van Leeuwen's first-ever collaboration with a destination.
In 1954, Caribe Hilton's bartender Ramón "Monchito" Marrero was tasked with creating a signature drink that captured the essence of Puerto Rico. He crafted the first Piña Colada using Don Q rum, which infused the cocktail with a distinctive Puerto Rican flavor.
To commemorate this special occasion, Van Leeuwen's expert team, alongside Discover Puerto Rico, renowned Puerto Rican mixologist Roberto Berdecia and Don Q rum, have crafted an exclusive and delectable Piña Colada ice cream flavor. The limited-edition treat features vibrant packaging designed by talented local artist, Cristina Muñoz Laboy, whose stunning work can be found throughout the Island.
"Bringing the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to the streets of New York City with this exclusive Piña Colada ice cream is a true celebration of our Island's rich heritage and culture," said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico. "In collaboration with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, we are thrilled to share a scoop of paradise, melding the legacy of Puerto Rico's beloved cocktail with delicious creativity. By infusing the expertise of local mixologist Roberto Berdecia and the artistic vision of Cristina Muñoz Laboy, every spoonful promises an authentic taste of Puerto Rico. We can't wait for New Yorkers to experience the tropical magic and rich cultural tapestry of Puerto Rico with us!"
"We are excited to partner with Discover Puerto Rico to create an exclusive flavor that pays homage to the beloved cocktail and celebrates the Island's beautiful culture," said Ben Van Leeuwen, Co-Founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.
About Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen began as a yellow scoop truck on the streets of NYC in 2008 by Ben Van Leeuwen, Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O'Neill, who were on a mission to make good ice cream from good ingredients that makes you feel good. Their French-style ice cream (made with more than double the amount of egg yolks as standard ice cream) quickly gained a loyal following. Van Leeuwen has since expanded and has over 50 scoop shops in New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DC, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Texas. Van Leeuwen also recently opened their first international scoop shop in Singapore. Pints, ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches are available in grocery stores across the country and to order for nationwide shipping from their website.
