Puerto Rican Coquito is the perfect holiday drink, as there are no strict rules about what can and cannot be added, which makes it much more interesting and versatile. It is prepared based on coconut cream, coconut milk, condensed milk, and rum, but if you prefer, you can add another liquor or make it without alcohol. Coquito, much like Eggnog, is traditionally consumed during the holidays as an aperitif, after-dinner drink, or given as a gift and shared among friends and family —although we drink it all year.🤭
Jump to:
What is Coquito?
Coquito means "little coconut" in Spanish and is an alcoholic beverage with plenty of creamy coconut flavor and richness. This traditional Christmas drink originated in Puerto Rico and is made with rum, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and spices. It's best served cold, with a pinch of fresh nutmeg.
What's the Difference Between Coquito and Eggnog?
Although they may seem similar, coquito and eggnog are completely different drinks: the base of coquito is rum and coconut, and that of eggnog, egg, and cream (with the optional addition of rum or brandy). Eggs are not part of traditional coquito recipes, but over time some recipes have changed to include them. It is important to note that coquito recipes containing eggs or alcohol-free have a shorter shelf life.
Coquito Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients are provided in the recipe card below.
✏️(The measurements of some ingredients can be adjusted according to personal taste.)
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Provides the coconut flavor and creaminess to the drink.
- Evaporated Milk: Adds richness and creaminess to the Coquito.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (or Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk): Sweetens and thickens the drink while contributing a creamy texture.
- Sweetened Cream of Coconut: Enhances the coconut flavor and sweetness.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm and aromatic vanilla flavor.
- Freshly Grated Nutmeg (or Store-Bought Pre-Grated Nutmeg): Provides a warm, nutty, and slightly spicy flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a sweet and spicy flavor with a hint of warmth.
- Rum: Gives the Coquito its alcoholic kick and adds depth of flavor.
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: Offers texture and more coconut flavor. (Optional)
- Cinnamon Sticks: Infuse a subtle cinnamon aroma and flavor into the drink.
- Whole Star Anise: Adds a hint of licorice-like flavor and aroma to the Coquito.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Coquito
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Place unsweetened coconut milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, vanilla, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, Bacardi, and shredded coconut into the blender and blend until smooth and frothy, about 2 minutes.
In (2) 1 liter pre-sterilized bottle or an airtight container, add the cinnamon sticks and whole star anise, then pour in the coquito mixture and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 4 hours or overnight for best flavor. When you're ready to serve, shake or stir the eggless coquito to combine, as the mixture may separate slightly as it sits. Pour in a cordial glass, and dust it with nutmeg or cinnamon powder. Garnish with cinnamon stick and star anise in each glass, if desired.
Substitutions
- Canned Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Alternatively, use evaporated milk or vice-versa.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: One (11.6 oz) sweetened condensed coconut milk can be used in place of Sweetened Condensed Milk.
- Spices: We used a combination of freshly grated nutmeg, whole star anise, and Cinnamon, but you can use your favorite warm spice or omit them entirely.
- Rum: Use a rum of your choice.
Variations
- Egg-based Coquito: Add 3 fresh pasteurized egg yolks directly into the blender with the other ingredients and blend until smooth and frothy.
- Chocolate Coquito: Add some Creme de Cocoa, Nesquick chocolate powder, or chocolate syrup to taste (Omit the cinnamon and nutmeg if desired).
- Nutella: Add ¼ cup Nutella to taste ( Omit the cinnamon and nutmeg)
- For strawberries: Add Nesquick strawberry powder to taste; omit the cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Low alcoholic: Replace the desired amount of rum with equal parts ice-cold coconut milk, evaporated milk, whole milk, or water.
- Non-alcoholic: replace the rum with 1 cup of iced cold coconut whole milk, evaporated or whole milk, and ½ cup of ice-cold filtered water, or omit the rum.
- Coquito without evaporated milk: Use canned unsweetened coconut milk instead of evaporated milk.
How to Serve
To serve Coquito, shake or stir the chilled mixture to combine. Pour into small glasses and dust with nutmeg or cinnamon powder. Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store
Coquito will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you're ready to serve, shake or stir the coquito to combine.
Make Ahead
Coquito can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator in a pre-sterilized bottle or an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Tips for Making The Best Coquito
- Quality Ingredients: Since Coquito relies on a few key ingredients, choose high-quality options like full-fat coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and good rum. These will contribute to the rich and delicious flavor.
- Cream of Coconut: Use a good quality cream of coconut, like Coco Lopez or Goya brands. This will provide the essential coconut creaminess to the drink.
- Rum Selection: Select a rum that you enjoy, as it will significantly impact the flavor of your Coquito. Light or gold rum works well, but you can experiment with dark or spiced rum for different flavor profiles.
- Blending: Blend the ingredients well to achieve a smooth and frothy texture. This ensures that all the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Sweetness: Taste as you go. If you prefer your Coquito less sweet, you can adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk. Remember that the flavors will mellow and blend as the Coquito sits.
- Spices: Be careful with the spices. A little goes a long way, and you can always add more if needed. The spices should complement the coconut and rum flavors.
- Texture: If you enjoy a thicker Coquito, add more shredded coconut or adjust the ratio of coconut cream to coconut milk.
- Chilling: Allow the Coquito to chill in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the drink to reach its optimal temperature.
- Shaking Before Serving: Since some separation may occur as the Coquito sits, give it a good shake or stir before serving to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
- Presentation: To make your Coquito visually appealing, garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon on top before serving. You can add a cinnamon stick or star anise for an extra touch.
- Customization: While the classic Coquito recipe is fantastic, feel free to get creative. You can add a splash of different liquors or experiment with additional flavors like chocolate, coffee, or other spices.
FAQ
My Coquito turned out too thick. How can I make it thinner?
If your Coquito is thicker than desired, you can simply add a bit more unsweetened coconut milk or regular milk to the mixture and blend it until you reach your preferred consistency. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed to avoid making it too thin.
The Coquito tastes too sweet. How can I reduce the sweetness?
If your Coquito is too sweet, you can balance the sweetness by adding more unsweetened coconut milk or evaporated milk to dilute the sweetness. You can also add a splash of rum to enhance the flavor and reduce the sweetness.
My Coquito has a strong alcohol taste. How can I mellow it out?
To mellow out the strong alcohol taste in your Coquito, you can add more coconut milk or sweetened cream of coconut to the mixture. This will help balance the flavors and reduce the intensity of the rum. You can also let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and mellow.
Can I make Coquito without alcohol?
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of Coquito by omitting the rum. You can replace the rum with additional coconut milk or sweetened cream of coconut to maintain the creamy texture and coconut flavor. Keep in mind that the shelf life of non-alcoholic Coquito may be longer than the alcoholic version.
My Coquito separated in the refrigerator. How can I fix it?
If your Coquito separates in the refrigerator, it's normal due to the different densities of the ingredients. To fix it, simply shake or stir the Coquito before serving to recombine the ingredients. This will ensure a consistent texture and flavor.
Watch How to Make It
Related Recipes:
Recipe
Easy Coquito
Ingredients
- 1 (13.5 oz) can unsweetened coconut milk such as Coco Lopez or Goya Brand , full fat
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk , full fat
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk or 1 (11.6 oz) sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 1 (15 oz) can sweetened cream of coconut such as Coco Lopez or Goya Brand
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg or 1 teaspoon store-bought pre-grated one
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon , adjust to taste
- 1 cup Bacardi Black , Golden, or Spiced Rum such as Captain Morgan or other Rum of your choice
- ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut plus for garnish (optional)
- 3 Cinnamon sticks , plus for garnish
- 3 whole Star anise , plus for garnish
Instructions
- Place unsweetened coconut milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, vanilla, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, Bacardi, and shredded coconut into the blender and blend until smooth and frothy, about 2 minutes.
- In a pre-sterilized bottle or an airtight container, add the cinnamon sticks and whole star anise, then pour in the coquito mixture and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- When you're ready to serve, shake or stir the eggless coquito to combine, as the mixture may separate slightly as it sits. Pour in a cordial glass, and dust it with nutmeg or cinnamon powder. Garnish with cinnamon stick and star anise in each glass, if desired.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.