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Celebrate the holidays with a coquito drink from Puerto Rico that will kick off your festivities. The first time I had this, a coworker had brought it to our holiday party. I was smitten with that first sip and now, I’d love to share this Puerto Rican coquito recipe with you!

Best Coquito Recipe

While it’s not the same as eggnog, coquito is a drink that has the same feel of it but with a coconut flavor. It’s sweet, creamy, and delightful, the perfect holiday libation for adults.

Coquito Drink Ingredients

  • Dark rum – The signature spirit in a coquito. Bacardi is a traditional favorite in Puerto Rico. If you have access to Bacardi, we love to make a traditional Bacardi coquito!
  • Coconut milk and coconut cream – You’ll need a can of each to give this its traditional creamy coconut flavor.
  • Sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk – A can each of these brings out more creaminess.
  • Flavorings – To finalize the flavor of a coquito, you will need raisins, cinnamon sticks, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and ground cloves.

Easy Coquito Recipe

If you’re having friends and family over for the holidays or are tasked with bringing something to a party, this easy coquito recipe is the perfect solution. It takes no time at all to mix together. Mostly, you’ll have waiting time as the flavors come together in your container!

Keep calm, its Coquito season.
Anonymous

How do you Make Coquito Receta (Recipe) from Scratch?

To make this classic Coquito drink you’ll start by adding the dark rum, raisins, and cinnamon sticks in a large pitcher first, letting it sit for an hour to an hour and a half. While you let that happen, take all the other ingredients and blend them on puree until smooth. Then add them to the rum mixture and put in airtight containers like mason jars, letting them chill for a minimum of 5 hours. Shake well before you serve!

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Coquito Every Time

  • Plan ahead. While this is an easy Puerto Rican Coquito recipe, you’ll want to let the rum soak with the raisins and cinnamon sticks.
  • Serve in small glasses. Coquito is meant to be served in shot glasses, so line them up on your bar.
  • If you’d rather use larger glasses, add ice. This will keep it chilled to perfection so your guests can mingle away.
  • It makes a great gift. If you’re looking to make a homemade gift for friends and family, decorate the mason jars first and fill them with this coquito recipe!

What is Coquito?

This is a traditional drink for Christmas from Puerto Rico. It means ‘little coconut’ which is an apt name for such a sweet, creamy, and delightful coconut-flavored alcoholic beverage.

What is Coquito puertorriqueño?

Simply put, it means that it’s a Puerto Rican drink. And what a drink it is! With plenty of rum and a sweet, creamy, coconut flavor, it’s going to be your new favorite drink for the holidays.

What are the ingredients for Coquito?

Coquito is made with dark rum, coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, evaporated milk, raisins, cinnamon sticks, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and ground cloves.

What alcohol is used in Coquito?

Dark rum is the spirit of choice for making coquito.

Is Coquito an eggnog?

While some call it “Puerto Rican Eggnog” it is different from eggnog. Most recipes for coquito do not contain eggs.

What’s the difference between Coquito and eggnog?

Coquito is more tropical in flavor since it is made with coconut milk, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. Eggnog has a milk base and real eggs.

Is coquito vegan?

No, it is not vegan because of the condensed milk and evaporated milk. Those are dairy products.

Does Coquito have to be in glass?

You do not have to store it in glass, however, it should be in an airtight container. Generally, mason jars are the way to go because they keep it fresh.

Is Coquito served hot or cold?

Coquito is served cold, a refreshing tropical taste that is sure to lift your spirits this holiday season!

Why is my Coquito so thick?

The coconut may have thickened in the fridge. You can thin it out by adding a little purified water slowly until it gets to a consistency you prefer.

Does Coquito have to be refrigerated?

Yes, it absolutely must be refrigerated due to the inclusion of dairy ingredients. Plus, you want to drink it chilled anyway.

What goes well with Coquito?

Since it’s so sweet, coquito is perfect to serve with dessert, just like you would with eggnog. Ice cream and other sweet treats can be enjoyed by everyone, especially the kids, while the adults enjoy those things and coquito!

How to Store Leftover Coquito?

Coquito should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Don’t freeze it!

How Long Does Coquito Last?

With this recipe, there are no eggs in it so your coquito can stay in the fridge in an airtight vessel for 4 to 6 months. However, I must warn you, ours always disappears long before that!


Watch How To Make Coquito (Video)

Classic Coquito Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 668
Christmas time in Puerto Rico means Coquito's for all! This rich and creamy Coquito recipe is the perfect coconut and rum drink that is the traditional Puerto Rican drink served for the holidays. Think of it as Puerto Rico's take on eggnog. Yumm!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dark rum
  • 3 oz raisins
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 14 oz can coconut milk
  • 15 oz can coconut cream
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 oz can evaporated milk
  • 5 tbsp shredded coconut
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Instructions 

  • In a large pitcher, add the raisins, dark rum, and cinnamon sticks. Allow this to sit between 60 and 90 minutes. While the rum sits, add all remaining ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Once blended, combine with the rum and store in airtight containers, such as mason jars. Place the mason jars in the refrigerator and allow to chill for at least 5 hours. Shake vigorously before serving.
  • To really make this drink pop serve it in a coconut rim glass. To make the shredded coconut stick to the rim of the glass, lightly brush only the outside rim of the glass with a little bit of coquito mix to get it wet. Then roll the wet rim in a bowl of shredded coconut until it is covered completely. Then fill with the glass with your coquito mix and enjoy!
Calories: 668kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

Calories: 668kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 644mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 3mg

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Author Megan Miller

I’m a mom of two, food and wine lover, and recipe creation enthusiast. Good food brings families together. Which is why I’m devoted to sharing my best recipes that are simple enough for even the beginner cook that your family will love!

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