Best Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (2024)

ByDonna Elick

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Puerto Rican eggnogis delectable and makes the perfect holiday party drink! Mix up a pitcher of this coquito recipe in five minutes.

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Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a cold glass of wonderfully sweet and creamy coquito!

The mixture of sweet vanilla and coconut paired with the spiciness of cinnamon and a kick of coconut rum will put you in the Christmas spirit in no time.

Give yourself one hour before the party to make it and let it set, or make it during co*cktail hour and have it ready to go as an after dinner beverage.

For some more merry mixtures, check out mycandy cane shootersorsugar cookie martinisthat put a grown up twist on childhood favorites.

These co*cktails will knock the “Bah-humbug” right out of anyone!

Or, whip up some festive treats everyone – young and old – can enjoy!Hot cocoa fudgeandchocolate mint Oreo barkare always fan favorites.

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Ingredients needed to make this classic Puerto Rican Drink

  • Evaporated milk
  • Cream of coconut
  • Coconut milk
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Coconut rum
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Whole cloves
  • Ground nutmeg

How To Make Puerto Rican Eggnog

First, place all your liquid ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until well combined, about four minutes.

Pour the mixture into a glass pitcher. Then, add the cinnamon sticks and cloves.

Allow your pitcher to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Serve in a shot glass, or over ice in a larger glass and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Cheers!

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Substitutions

Change the type of rum – You can use light rum or dark rum for this drink, or plain white rum as well.

You can also change the amount of alcohol content while not hurting the flavor at all. Choose the best rum that you like.

Use fresh coconut milk – Talk about a game changer in terms of coconut flavor!

This paired with the rest of the ingredients makes a flavorful coquito drink recipe for everyone to love. Using fresh coconut adds a ton of coconut flavor.

Tips and Tricks

  • Stick to sticks.Always usecinnamon sticksfor this recipe! Powdered and ground cinnamon will affect the final, velvety texture of the drink.
  • Keep it cool.Puerto Rican eggnog is typically served in a small shot glass, but sometimes that’s not enough to satisfy your craving!

    If you serve this up in a larger glass, make sure to pour it over a couple of ice cubes so that it stays nice and cold. Puerto Rican coquito is supposed to be served cold!

  • Serving a crowd?If your holiday gatherings yield a ton of people, this recipe can always be doubled or tripled depending on how much you need.

    However, it may need to be prepared and stored in batches. For the first time, make a smaller batch to test it out.

  • Make-ahead tip:This recipe will last for four to six months as long as it is stored in an airtight container in the fridge!

    Just be sure to give it a good shake before serving.

  • Shake before serving.If your mixture has been sitting in the fridge for a couple of hours, natural separation may occur.

    But don’t fret! Just give the pitcher a quick shake to get everything combined and ready for serving.

What You’ll Need For This Coquito Recipe

  • High-Speed Blender– Makes combining ingredients so simple! A high power blender is a must in every kitchen.
  • Large Pitcher– This 80-ounce pitcher is simple enough for everyday use and makes your drinks the star of the show.
  • Can Opener– It seems like a no-brainer, but a good can opener can save your hands and a lot of frustration as well!
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FAQ – Common Recipe Questions

What is coquito?

It’s a traditional Puerto Rican beverage served during Christmastime. It’s like a coconut-flavored eggnog. It’s popular during the holiday season in Puerto Rico and a fun boozy drink to share with family and friends.

The added warm spices make it a great drink to share on Christmas Eve and a fun option to serve for the Christmas season. It’s a creamy drink that showcases treaditional recipes from Puerto Rico.

Can I make this recipe alcohol free?

Yes! You can certainly leave out the rum altogether or add some more coconut milk. Or, create a substitute by mixing some rum and coconut extracts with ice cold filtered water.

Some people do like to try and add extra flavor with a sprinkle of cinnamon, but as I mentioned above, I’m not a huge fan of the texture.

What’s the difference between coquito and eggnog?

Eggnog is made with milk and eggs, while this coquito recipe is made with coconut milk. They both have a smooth, creamy texture with a kick of spice flavor.

What is the best way to serve this drink?

To serve the best coquito recipe, you can serve in small serving glasses, mason jars, or anything else that will hold the liquid.

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Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Festive Recipes

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Coquito Puerto Rican Eggnog

Donna Elick

Puerto Rican eggnog is delectable and makes the perfect holiday party drink! Mix up a pitcher of this classic winter favorite in five minutes.

5 stars from 1 review

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Method Mixed

Servings 5

Ingredients

  • 24 evaporated milk, 2 -12 ounce cans
  • 15 ounce can cream of coconut
  • 13.6 ounce can coconut milk
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup coconut rum
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • Place the evaporated milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, rum, and vanilla into your blender. Blend on high until well combined, about 4 minutes.

  • Pour the mixture into a glass pitcher and add in the cinnamon sticks and cloves.

  • Place the pitcher in the fridge for at least an hour to chill and the flavors to blend.

  • Pour in your glass and garnish with a dusting of the nutmeg.

Donna’s Notes

This recipe will last for four to six months as long as it is stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 921cal | Carbohydrates: 100g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 37g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 250mg | Sugar: 95g | Fiber: 5g | Calcium: 495mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Best Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (12)

Originally published November 2021, updated and republished December 2023

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

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Best Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (2024)

FAQs

Best Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog)? ›

My favorite white rum to use here is Bacardí Superior—it's light and aromatic, with floral and fruity notes. This infusion comes together in seconds and can be done the day before folks come to gather. Spiced rum doesn't end with coquito either. After you make a batch for coquito, go ahead and make another.

What is the best rum for Puerto Rican coquito? ›

My favorite white rum to use here is Bacardí Superior—it's light and aromatic, with floral and fruity notes. This infusion comes together in seconds and can be done the day before folks come to gather. Spiced rum doesn't end with coquito either. After you make a batch for coquito, go ahead and make another.

Why does my coquito get chunky? ›

Coquito should be smooth, but it can become chunky if you use coconut milk instead of cream of coconut. The fat in coconut milk can separate and solidify towards the top of the container.

How do I stop my coquito from separating? ›

Egg Yolks.

Egg yolks are an emulsifier, which helps keep the coquito from separating while chilling in your fridge, and they are a thickener so if you like the thickness of eggnog, adding fresh egg yolks will give you that.

How long does homemade coquito with egg last? ›

Does Coquito Need To Be Refrigerated? Coquito should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator; kept that way, it can keep for anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. The ingredients may settle between servings, particularly if you used eggs, so be sure to stir before you pour.

What is the number one Puerto Rican rum? ›

Don Q is Puerto Rico's top-selling rum.

What liquor is best for coquitos? ›

Rich, creamy Coquito is a classic Puerto Rican co*cktail made with coconut cream, coconut milk, baking spices and, most important, rum.

Why did my coquito clump up? ›

It's because the fat from the coconut is solidifying. If this happens to you, I would pop it in the blender right before serving. That should dissolve any bits that might've solidified.

How do you know if a coquito is bad? ›

A few key signs can identify spoiled Coquito: - Change in Smell: A Coquito that has gone bad may develop an off smell. If it smells sour, yeasty, or just not quite right, it's best to discard it. - Change in Texture: If the Coquito has become lumpy or unusually thick, it may have spoiled.

What to do if coquito is too thick? ›

If the coquito is too thick for your liking, you can add a little water to reach your desired consistency. Blend again to incorporate. Taste and adjust: Give the coquito a taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness if necessary.

Why is my coquito watery? ›

As your coquito chills in the fridge, it will thicken. If you have already let it chill in the fridge and it is still too thin that usually means the coconut milk you used was one without the thick coconut cream on top.

Why is my coquito foamy? ›

The foam results from the additives in the canned milk, and the fat from the coconut milk gets excited. You can strain the coquito into the bottles if the foam or chunks bother you.

Why does my coquito look curdled? ›

Why Did My Coquito Curdle? If your coquito looks a bit chunky, don't worry. It's just the coconut fat solidifying. You can either scoop it out and discard it or try to whisk it back in.

What does coquito mean in English? ›

Coquito ( lit. 'little coconut') is a traditional Christmas drink that originated in Puerto Rico. The coconut-based alcoholic beverage is similar to eggnog, and is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican Eggnog (though incorrectly, as coquito does not call for eggs).

What's the difference between eggnog and coquito? ›

Eggnog, as its name implies, is made using eggs along with other staple ingredients. Meanwhile, coquito (which means “l*ttle coconut” in Spanish) requires coconut instead. While traditional Puerto Rican coquito does not include eggs, it is still a common ingredient in some versions, especially in Mexico.

Do you use Malibu or Bacardi for coquito? ›

Bacardi is one of the most popular spirits in America and is commonly used for coquito because it's easy to find and cheap to buy.

What kind of Bacardi is used in coquito? ›

A cream-based coconut liqueur, Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican Holiday co*cktail. BACARDÍ Coquito is made with BACARDÍ Superior Rum and a mix of vanilla, cinnamon and other festive spices.

What rum do they drink in Puerto Rico? ›

The top-selling rum on the island is Don Q, a favorite of the locals. It's produced in the Destilería Serrallés in Ponce, and it can be found in a variety of co*cktails all over the island. Here are some of the locals' favorite ways to enjoy Don Q.

What is Puerto Rican coquito made of? ›

Coquito is a creamy, tropical, Puerto Rican holiday drink with tons of coconut flavor. It's made with both evaporated and condensed milk, cream of coconut, spices, rum, and — in this version — egg yolks. It is always requested at my holiday gatherings.

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