Genuine Puerto Rican Coquito: Homemade Coconut Eggnog Recipe

The holiday season sparkles with festive spirits and coquito Puerto Rican coconut eggnog that warms every gathering.

Creamy coconut liqueur dances through this traditional Caribbean cocktail, inviting rich tropical flavors to your celebration.

Caribbean rum adds depth and complexity to this beloved Puerto Rican drink.

Generations have cherished this sweet, velvety blend of coconut milk, condensed milk, and spices.

Each sip transports you to sunny island shores and family traditions.

Prepare to indulge in a luxurious libation that captures the essence of Puerto Rican holiday cheer.

This recipe promises a delightful journey through Caribbean culinary magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 8

Coquito Ingredient Breakdown

• Evaporated Milk: Provides rich, velvety texture and depth of flavor without extra heaviness.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds luxurious sweetness and helps create smooth, silky consistency.
• Coconut Milk: Delivers authentic tropical coconut essence and enhances traditional Puerto Rican profile.
• Cream of Coconut: Intensifies coconut flavor and contributes to luscious, thick texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, sweet undertones that complement coconut and spice notes.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warming, festive spice that elevates the entire drink's complexity.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers subtle, earthy warmth with delicate nutty undertones.

• White Rum: Traditional Puerto Rican spirit that adds festive kick and authentic island character, choose high-quality rum for best results.

Tools to Mix This Creamy Coconut Eggnog

• Blender: Essential for smoothly mixing all ingredients into a creamy, well-combined drink.
• Glass Bottle or Jar: Perfect for storing and chilling the coquito, allowing flavors to blend beautifully.
• Small Glasses: Ideal for serving this rich, traditional Puerto Rican beverage.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for accurately portioning out ingredients.
• Cinnamon Stick (optional): Adds a lovely garnish and extra flavor to the drink.
• Spoon: Helps stir and incorporate rum after initial blending.

Blend a Rich Puerto Rican Holiday Drink

• Whip Up the Base Blend coconut cream, milky goodness, and spices in a blender until silky smooth. Make sure everything combines perfectly for that creamy Puerto Rican.
• Spike the Mix Carefully pour in rum, giving the blend a quick pulse to marry all the flavors. Start with a splash and adjust to your taste adventure.
• Chill and Rest Transfer the luscious liquid into a glass container. Let it hang out in the refrigerator for a couple hours, allowing the flavors to dance and get to know each other.
• Serve with Flair Grab your container and give it a good shake. Pour into tiny glasses, maybe toss a cinnamon stick on top for that extra festive touch. Get ready to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise.

Tips for Balance Between Sweet and Boozy

• Use a high-powered blender to ensure all ingredients are completely smooth and well-incorporated, eliminating any potential lumps or separation.
• Prepare coquito up to a week in advance, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify in the refrigerator, creating an even more delicious drink.
• Create a dairy-free version by substituting coconut milk for evaporated milk and using coconut cream instead of condensed milk for a vegan-friendly alternative.
• For a family-friendly version, completely omit the rum or replace it with rum extract to maintain the traditional flavor profile without the alcohol content.
• Experiment with additional spices like a pinch of cardamom or a splash of almond extract to add unique depth and complexity to the traditional coquito recipe.

Serve Chilled in Glasses with Cinnamon

• Festive Holiday Toast: Gather friends and family, raise your glasses of chilled coquito during Christmas or New Year's celebrations, creating a warm Puerto Rican tradition.
• Dessert Companion: Pair this creamy drink with traditional Puerto Rican desserts like flan, tres leches cake, or sweet plantain dishes to enhance the culinary experience.
• Cocktail Twist: Transform coquito into a sophisticated cocktail by adding a splash of espresso or blending with crushed ice for a refreshing frozen version that adds unexpected excitement.
• Gifting Delight: Package coquito in decorative glass bottles with personalized labels, making it a thoughtful homemade gift that spreads holiday cheer and showcases your culinary skills.

Store Bottled in the Fridge

• Store your Coquito in a tightly sealed glass bottle or mason jar inside the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. Keep the container away from strong-smelling foods to maintain its delicate flavor profile.
• Prepare the Coquito 1-2 days before your gathering to enhance the flavor complexity. The ingredients will beautifully blend and intensify during refrigeration, creating a more robust taste experience.
• Pour extra Coquito into ice cube trays or small containers for long-term storage. Frozen Coquito can be kept up to 3 months and thawed overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Perfect for spontaneous celebrations or unexpected guests.
• Always serve Coquito super cold, directly from the refrigerator. If the drink sits out too long, the ingredients might separate, so keep it chilled and give it a quick shake before pouring into glasses for the most delightful texture and taste.

FAQs

• What is coquito?

A traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink similar to eggnog, made with coconut milk, rum, and warming spices, typically enjoyed during Christmas season.

• Is coquito alcoholic?

Yes, traditional coquito contains rum, usually white rum, which gives the drink its signature boozy flavor and festive character.

• Can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Absolutely! Simply omit the rum and replace it with additional coconut milk or a non-alcoholic rum extract for similar flavor.

• How long can I keep coquito in the refrigerator?

Homemade coquito stays fresh for about 2-3 weeks when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, making it perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday season.

Authentic Coquito Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Coquito, a festive Puerto Rican coconut eggnog, blends rich cream, rum, and spices into a holiday classic. Creamy coconut notes and warming spices create a smooth, celebratory drink that connects culture and tradition.

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Ingredients

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• ½ to 1 cup white rum
• 12 oz (340 g) evaporated milk
• 14 oz (397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 13.5 oz (400 ml) coconut milk
• 13.5 oz (400 ml) cream of coconut (e.g., Coco Lopez)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• Cinnamon sticks (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Blend Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a blender, ensuring they are at a consistent, cool temperature for seamless integration.
2. Base Creation: Pour evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and cream of coconut into the blender, whisking them into a luxurious, velvety foundation.
3. Spice Infusion: Introduce vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg, allowing the warm, aromatic essences to permeate the liquid.
4. Mixing Technique: Blend on high speed until the mixture transforms into a smooth, uniform liquid with no discernible fragments.
5. Rum Integration: Carefully add rum, adjusting the quantity to suit personal preference while maintaining a harmonious flavor balance.
6. Chilling Process: Transfer the concoction to a pristine glass container, then refrigerate for at least two hours to allow flavors to meld and develop depth.
7. Final Preparation: Vigorously agitate the container before serving to redistribute settled spices and ensure a consistent taste experience.
8. Presentation: Decant the chilled elixir into delicate glasses, optional garnishing with a cinnamon stick or a dusting of ground cinnamon to elevate the visual and aromatic appeal.

Notes

• Chill Ingredients Beforehand: Ensure all dairy and coconut-based ingredients are cold to achieve a smoother, more homogeneous blend and prevent separation.
• Control Rum Intensity: Start with a smaller amount of rum and gradually add more, tasting as you go to maintain a balanced flavor without overpowering the creamy base.
• Shake Before Serving: Always give the container a vigorous shake before pouring to redistribute settled spices and restore the drink’s consistent texture and flavor.
• Store Carefully: Use a clean, airtight glass container and refrigerate promptly to preserve the coquito’s fresh taste and prevent bacterial growth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg