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Home » Drink » Coquito

Coquito

Created: November 19, 2020 Updated: September 12, 2022 by Lyuba Brooke 10 Comments

20.0K shares
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Coquito (pronounced coh-kee-toe) is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink that is smooth, thick, and creamy. It’s sweet and has a pronounced coconut flavor. Make this coquito recipe for a delicious Christmas drink that feels like a tropical dessert and cocktail all in one!

2 glasses of coquito garnished with cinnamon sticks and coconut flakes

This cocktail is made with cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, spices, and rum. It is a beautiful thick, rich, creamy, and oh, so smooth cocktail that’s is about to become your new holiday favorite. 

If you enjoy having an eggnog around holiday times, you will love this drink, whether you enjoy it boozy or alcohol-free. 

This cocktail is served chilled but when you want something hot and comforting, make my mulled wine or red wine hot chocolate. For a kid-friendly drink, make some fruity Christmas punch or my family favorite hot chocolate.

If you happen to drink all of your coquito (or give it away), a hot toddy or adult hot chocolate will keep you in the holiday spirit!

side view: 2 Christmas cocktails made with rum in lowball glasses

Coquito

Coquito, which translates into “little coconut” in English, is a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas drink, served during the winter holidays. It will definitely help friends and family get into the spirit of the season.

It is thought to have originated sometime around the 1900’s. And like many traditional recipes, every family has their own recipe. These days, the drink is so popular that it even has its own holiday, December 21st.

Because this recipe is simple and relatively inexpensive to make, it is a great gift to give to friends and family.

Coquito vs. eggnog

Though people sometimes describe coquito as “Puerto Rican eggnog,” the differences between the two are quite big.

Traditionally, coquito is made without eggs, and many would argue that it is the only way to make it.

Adding eggs to the cocktail is actually an Americanized version, to closer resemble eggnog. In fact, adding eggs to any drink in Puerto Rico turns it into a ponche.

The other difference is that there is no sugar added to coquito. All of its sweetness comes from the sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut.

ingredients in bowls and measuring spoons to make a coquito recipe

Ingredients

There are only a few basic ingredients for any coquito recipe.

  • Rum

Use the best rum you can find. In this case, a Puerto Rican rum like Don Q is perfect. If you can’t find that, Bacardi or Captain Morgan silver rum will work just fine. 

If you want a spicier kick, use spiced rum. You can also combine different types of rum to suit your taste.

  • Cream of coconut

Cream of coconut is sweetened, pureed coconut and comes in a can. It is different from coconut cream which is just solid coconut and doesn’t have any other ingredients listed on the label.

Coco Lopez is the best tasting cream of coconut.

Be sure to break up the solidified fat you will find at the top of the can with spatula or spoon when adding it to the blender.

  • Milk products

Sweetened condensed milk-This is the key to making an extra creamy drink.

Evaporated milk-You can use fat-free evaporated milk if you want to trim this down a little bit, but it really isn’t going to make a big difference in the end.

  • Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla make this drink the warming, seasonal favorite it is. Use freshly ground spices for the best flavor.

A cinnamon stick also makes an attractive garnish. If you don’t have the separate spices on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of pumpkin pie spice. The ginger in it adds even more zing. 

Want to make it virgin?

If you want to make a batch for the kids or make it non-alcoholic for yourself, don’t worry.  Simply skip the rum and add skim milk, your favorite plant-based milk, or coconut milk instead.

Need it lactose free?

There is good news if you want to make this lactose free! There are lactose free evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk options on the market!

Tools and Barware Needed

Even the list of necessary equipment is short and easy to find.

  • Blender – It doesn’t have to be a high-powered, top-line blender.
  • Container with a lid – A standard Mason jar, glass container or any bottle with a lid will work to chill and store the coquito after you mix it.
  • Glassware– Use rocks (old fashioned) glasses for a traditional toast or to sip it slowly.

How To Make Coquito Recipe

This is one of the simplest cocktails you will ever make, and it will only take you about 10 minutes to put together. (Just don’t forget to chill it before serving.)

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth and frothy.

overhead image: ingredients in a blender to make a coquito recipe
overhead photo: coconut milk, condensed milk, cinnamon and nutmeg in a blender

Pour into a glass container with a lid.

filling a glass pitcher with a Puerto Rican Christmas drink (coquito recipe)

Now comes the hard part. Let it chill for 4 hours in the refrigerator before serving.

Shake and serve in shot glasses or old fashioned glasses.

pouring coquito from glass pitcher into an Old Fashioned glass

Coquito Recipe Notes

This drink needs to chill! Because all of the ingredients will come at room temperature, the drink will be warm at first. You need to chill it for about 4 hours before serving.

Refrigerating coquito for at least 4 hours also allows all the flavors to cure or blend together. It gets better the longer it sits.

Puerto Rican Christmas drink in 2 glasses with cinnamon sticks and coconut garnish

Storage and Shelf life 

With only the rum in it, the drink should keep for up to a month or more in the refrigerator. That is, if you can keep from drinking it!

Because of the milk products in it, make sure to store this Christmas drink in the refrigerator.

Be sure to store it in a jar or a bottle with a lid as you will need to shake it up when you serve it because the fat in the cream of coconut coagulates and will separate from the rest of the cocktail while it chills.

You can make several batches and keep in the refrigerator too.

Note: If you do add eggs to it, be sure to drink it within a week.

PIN THIS RECIPE

2 glasses of coquito garnished with cinnamon sticks and coconut flakes

Coquito – Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog (No Egg)

Coquito (pronounced coh-kee-toe) is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink that is smooth, thick, and creamy. It’s sweet and has a pronounced coconut flavor.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill:: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 547kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 12 oz evaporated milk
  • 15 oz cream of coconut
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 12 oz Puerto Rican or another white rum
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients in the blender and pulse for few seconds until completely comes together and smooth.
  • Transfer the mixture into a glass jar with a lid, bottle, or a pitcher. It will need to have a lid to keep air-tight and also to be able to shake it up before serving.
  • Refrigerate for up to 4 hours, until completely chilled throughout.
  • Shake it up before servings.
  • Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, or even sweetened coconut flakes.

Storing:

  • Keep it in a glass jar or a bottle with a lid in the refrigerator. Properly refrigerated, it should keep for up to 5 days.

Want it virgin?

  • If you want to make a batch for kids or make it non-alcoholic for yourself, not to worry. Simply skip the rum and add either skim milk or coconut milk instead.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 254mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles
collage of two images of quite creamy cocktail in the glass with cinnamon stuck and pouring in the cocktail

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

20.0K shares

Filed Under: Cocktail, Drink, New Year's, Popular Posts, Rum, Seasonal

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Heather says

    December 12, 2021 at 7:03 am

    It says will store for a month or more in the intro but up to five days in the recipe card? Which is it? I’d like to make it ahead of the holidays… thank you!

    Reply
  2. Cindy Franco says

    November 27, 2021 at 9:06 am

    How many does this serve? I’m making it for a large Christmas party. This is the best recipe I have seen. Can’t wait to make it.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 8, 2021 at 10:28 am

      Hi Cindy,
      –
      This recipe serves around 8 depending on the size of the cups you use to serve it. I hope you love it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Roz says

    November 25, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    I tasted this last year and there was a slight taste of Anise in it. Can I add Anise to this recipe? Thanks

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 4, 2020 at 11:27 am

      If you love it then yes, but I would add just a little bit because it has a very strong licorice flavor. You may want to add it to your own glass first to make sure it’s the taste your going for with this drink.

      Reply
  4. Gwen says

    November 25, 2020 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for the background information, I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to making this recipe.

    Reply
  5. Katherine says

    November 21, 2020 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    Love this tropical holiday
    drink. However, what are the measurements?Found it thank you.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 25, 2020 at 11:14 pm

      Glad you found them and I hope you like it!

      Reply
  6. Katherine says

    November 21, 2020 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    Love this tropical holiday
    drink. However, what are the measurements?

    Reply
  7. Jewelz says

    November 21, 2020 at 6:52 am

    5 stars
    I’ve been making coquito for years,
    But this is a great recipe to follow if your
    making this for the first time.

    Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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