safety
Premium rum turned America’s cheesiest cocktail into a craft obsession
By Associated Press at Odessa American (oaoa.com)
· July 8, 2026
· 5 min read
Something changed about how bartenders talk about piña coladas, and it’s not the blender. Photo credit: Depositphotos
By Jenn Allen
Every July 10, bartenders across the country raise a glass to a cocktail that spent decades being dismissed as a blender accident. National Piña Colada Day has alway...
Key takeaway Photo credit: Depositphotos By Jenn Allen Every July 10, bartenders across the country raise a glass to a cocktail that spent decades being dismissed as a blender accident.
Why this matters in The Odessa
As the popularity of premium rum grows, Odessa residents may notice a shift in the way local bars and restaurants approach cocktails like the piña colada. With the global rum market projected to reach $29.6 billion by 2033, it's likely that establishments in the Midland-Odessa area will start to take notice and adapt their drink menus accordingly. This could mean a greater emphasis on using high-quality, aged rums in their cocktails, rather than relying on frozen mixers and lower-end spirits. As a result, locals may have more opportunities to experience craft cocktails made with premium ingredients, potentially elevating the city's nightlife scene. Whether or not this trend will take hold in Odessa remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the growing demand for premium rum is likely to have a ripple effect on the way drinks are made and served in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by Odessa American (oaoa.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Odessa American (oaoa.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Odessa American (oaoa.com) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? Something changed about how bartenders talk about piña coladas, and it’s not the blender. Photo credit: Depositphotos
By Jenn Allen
Every July 10, bartenders across the country raise a glass to a cocktail that spent decades being dismissed as a blender accident. National Piña Colada Day has alway...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Odessa American (oaoa.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at Odessa American (oaoa.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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