Homemade Coquito Recipe: Puerto Rico’s Luscious Holiday Eggnog

Creamy and indulgent, this classic coquito recipe brings the vibrant spirit of Puerto Rico straight to your holiday table.

The rich, smooth blend of coconut milk and rum captures the essence of caribbean celebrations.

Every sip of this traditional coquito warms your soul with layers of decadent flavors.

Generations of Puerto Rican families have cherished this festive drink during Christmas gatherings.

Rum and coconut cream create a luxurious backdrop for warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sweet condensed milk adds a silky richness that makes this cocktail irresistible.

Invite friends and raise a glass to celebrate the magic of Puerto Rican holiday cheer.

Storing Your Coquito Properly

• Store in an airtight glass bottle or sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to preserve the delicate flavor.
• Pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Can be frozen for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Always mix thoroughly before serving, as ingredients may separate during storage. Use a blender or vigorously shake the container to restore original consistency.
• Never leave coquito out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Always keep chilled and discard if left unrefrigerated.

FAQs

• Is coquito safe to drink if it contains raw eggs?

Use pasteurized eggs or temper the eggs by gently heating them with the coconut milk to ensure food safety and prevent any potential bacterial risks.

• Can I make coquito without alcohol?

Yes, simply omit the rum or replace it with a non-alcoholic rum extract for the traditional flavor profile without the alcohol content.

• How long can coquito stay fresh?

When stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, coquito typically remains good for 2-3 weeks if properly prepared and kept cold.

• What type of rum works best for coquito?

Puerto Rican white rum like Bacardi or Don Q are traditional choices, but you can experiment with dark rum for a richer flavor complexity.

Coquito – The Puerto Rican Eggnog Everyone Loves

• Whip up this Puerto Rican holiday classic that brings instant festive cheer with minimal kitchen effort.
• Easily adjust rum strength or skip alcohol entirely, making it perfect for all guests and preferences.
• Super simple preparation method where you blend ingredients, chill, and let flavors meld without constant monitoring.
• Creamy, rich coconut profile creates a universally loved beverage that delights both family and friends during celebrations.

Coquito Ingredients – What You Need

• Rum: A traditional Puerto Rican spirit that provides the signature alcoholic base for this festive drink.

• Coconut Milk, Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk: These creamy ingredients create a rich, smooth texture and sweet flavor profile for the coquito.

• Cinnamon Sticks, Raisins: These ingredients infuse additional warmth and depth into the rum, adding complexity to the drink's overall taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic sweet and aromatic undertone to the coquito.
• Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Traditional spices that contribute a warm, festive flavor characteristic of holiday beverages.

• Coconut Flakes: Adds a decorative and textural element to the rim of the serving glass.

Coquito – Gather Your Tools

• Blender: Essential for creating a silky smooth mixture of ingredients.
• Large Glass Jar or Bottle: Perfect for infusing rum and storing the final coquito.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Helps mix ingredients thoroughly.
• Fine-Mesh Strainer: Optional for filtering infused rum.
• Cocktail Shaker: Great for combining and mixing the final drink.
• Serving Glasses: For presenting and enjoying the coquito.

Making Coquito the Classic Way

Step 1: Infuse Rum With Spices

Place cinnamon sticks and raisins in rum and let them steep together for 24 hours to a week.

This process will create a deeply flavored rum with warm, rich undertones that enhance the overall coquito experience.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Evaporated milk
• Coconut cream
• Coconut milk
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Blend everything until the mixture becomes completely smooth and silky.

Step 3: Merge Rum and Creamy Mixture

Pour the infused rum into the blended cream base.

Shake or stir thoroughly to ensure complete integration of flavors.

The rum will add a delightful warmth and complexity to the drink.

Step 4: Chill and Develop Flavors

Transfer the coquito to sealed bottles or containers.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the ingredients to meld and the texture to become wonderfully thick and luxurious.

Step 5: Serve With Festive Flair

Before serving, give the coquito a vigorous shake to remix settled ingredients.

For an extra touch, rim glasses with shredded coconut and sprinkle additional spices on top.

Enjoy chilled as a delectable Puerto Rican holiday treat.

Coquito Tips to Make It Shine

• Soak rum with cinnamon sticks and raisins for deeper, more complex taste profile before mixing.
• Use high-speed blender to create ultra-smooth, creamy texture without lumps or separation.
• Allow minimum 4 hours refrigeration to enhance flavor melding and achieve ideal thick consistency.
• Rim glasses with toasted coconut and sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg for festive, authentic presentation.
• Keep coquito refrigerated up to 2 weeks in sealed glass container for maximum freshness and flavor preservation.

Fresh Takes on Coquito Flavors

• Vegan Coconut Cream Delight: Replace condensed milk and evaporated milk with full-fat coconut milk and cashew cream, using plant-based rum or rum extract for alcohol-free version.
• Spiced Tropical Variation: Add cardamom, star anise, and ginger for extra warmth and complexity, enhancing traditional Puerto Rican flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Holiday Version: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with sugar-free alternative and use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce caloric content.
• Nutty Coconut Blend: Incorporate almond or macadamia milk for subtle nutty undertones, complementing the rich coconut base while creating lighter texture.

Serving Coquito to Impress

• Holiday Party Pairing: Serve alongside traditional Puerto Rican desserts like flan or tres leches cake for a festive Caribbean-inspired spread.
• Cozy Winter Cocktail: Pour into small shot glasses or elegant martini glasses, garnished with a light dusting of ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for elegant presentation.
• Festive Gift Idea: Package in decorative glass bottles with custom labels, perfect for holiday gift-giving to friends and family who love unique homemade beverages.
• Dessert Companion: Drizzle over vanilla ice cream or use as a rich, creamy topping for holiday puddings and sweet treats for an extra indulgent twist.

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Eggnog)

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy Puerto Rican coquito blends rum, coconut milk, and sweet spices into a festive holiday cocktail. Festive gatherings become memorable with this traditional Caribbean drink that delights you with its rich, smooth flavors.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Alcohol and Coconut Base):

• 1 1/2 cups rum
• 1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut
• 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Dairy and Milk Ingredients:

• 4 ounces evaporated milk

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces raisins (optional)
• 4 tablespoons shredded coconut (optional)

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Instructions

1. If desired, enhance rum’s flavor by steeping with cinnamon sticks and raisins for 24 hours to one week, allowing ingredients to infuse deeply.
2. Pour coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon into blender, processing until completely smooth and uniform in texture.
3. Integrate the prepared rum mixture with blended liquid, thoroughly mixing by shaking vigorously to ensure complete incorporation of all flavors.
4. Transfer mixture to sealed container and refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, allowing beverage to develop rich, complex taste profile and achieve ideal consistency.
5. Before serving, shake container energetically to redistribute settled ingredients, then pour into chilled glasses for optimal enjoyment.
6. Optionally, create elegant presentation by rimming glasses with shredded coconut and dusting surface with ground cinnamon or nutmeg for decorative finish.

Notes

• Enhance rum’s depth by infusing with cinnamon and raisins, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before blending.
• Create a dairy-free version by substituting coconut milk and condensed coconut milk for traditional dairy products.
• Customize spice levels by adjusting nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla to personal taste preferences.
• Store in sealed glass bottles for up to two weeks, shaking before each serving to maintain smooth consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (excluding rum steeping time)
• Category: Cocktails, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg