Coquito is Puerto Rico’s national Christmas holiday drink. It’s made throughout the island and recipes vary from family to family. Puerto Ricans feels strongly about their Coquito (diminutive for coconut) and what goes in it. Some say Coquito is Coquito, not eggnog. It’s in a category all by itself. And, then there’s the debate regarding the addition or omission of egg yolks – with strong opinions on both sides! Some believe the addition of the egg came about in an effort to Americanize the original recipe. I don’t know, so I have made it both ways – no offense to the great people of P.R. I give you both recipes below, and you decide.
Needless to say the drink is a source of pride and rightfully so. This lush and smooth drink consists of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut (not coconut milk), half and half, spices and white rum! No matter how you make it, this decadent drink is best served cold and meant to be sipped while in good company. No one should every drink alone – especially over the holidays!
ABOUT THE RUM
While there are many rums made throughout the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, I’m partial to Cuban rums. Bacardi is one of the most recognizable labels worldwide. Established in 1862 in Santiago de Cuba, Castro’s revolutionary forces illegally confiscated all Bacardi assets on October 14, 1960 and the Bacardi family fled the island. Prior to their departure, they had previously moved their trademarks and yeast strain so they were able to continue operations in the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain and the Bahamas. No matter where it’s produced, it will always be considered a Cuban product and family. I just wanted to clarify that. Esquire has a great guide to Cuban rum here.
INGREDIENTS
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 14-ounce can cream of coconut milk
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces of half & half, whole milk or coconut milk (I use the evaporated milk can to measure)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
a small pinch of ground cloves (optional)
about 1 cup of Bacardi white rum (I use the evaporated milk can and add slightly less than a full can)
If making the eggnog version – 2 large egg yolks
FIRST, LET’S MAKE MY COQUITO EGGNOG! (non-traditional)
Over a double boiler with an inch of low simmering water at the bottom of the pot, whisk together a can of evaporated milk and two egg yolks (no whites). Whisk continuously until the mixture thickens and you can coat the back of a wooden spoon.
Remove from heat and transfer to a blender. Add a can of cream of coconut, can of sweetened condensed milk, half & half or whole milk, rum, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and pinch of cloves and blend for 30 seconds or until all ingredients are well blended. Pour through a fine sieve into a large pot to remove any egg particles and spices that didn’t blend well. Place plastic wrap directly over the liquid to avoid forming a skin and chill at least 8 hours, best overnight.
Note: My blender was too small for all the ingredients so I only blended the cooked egg mixture, cream of coconut, condensed milk and spices. I poured liquid through a sieve into the large pot and added half & half and rum directly to the pot, and stirred to combine. This recipe yields two 750 ml bottles. I normally tripled the recipe when gift giving. Make sure your pot is large enough for all your batches.
Once chilled, stir to combine again (since the spices may settle at the bottom) and pour through a sieve one final time before bottling. This extra step will remove any skin that could have formed while chilling. Sterilize your bottles and use a ladle and funnel to fill the bottles. You can make your own labels or have some made on Etsy. Shown below in pretty festive mini martini glasses with a toasted coconut rim and sprinkled with cinnamon. You can also garnish with a cinnamon stick.
NOW LET’S MAKE TRADITIONAL COQUITO! (No egg)
Remember this is the no-egg version so it’s much quicker to make and no cooking. Blend all ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds or so. No need to pour through a sieve. Make sure all the ingredients are blended well before filling your sterilized bottles. Chill for a few hours and serve cold in a punch bowl or decorative bottles. Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Some folks in Puerto Rico enjoy their Coquito with rum soaked raisins. I always have a few soaking in a bottle for any guest that wants a rum-raisin floater! Any left over raisins go into my amazing Bread Pudding with Spiced Rum Sauce!
Garnish: Dry toast shredded coconut in a dry pan over medium to low heat, constantly moving the coconut. Once toasted, finely chop on a board or quickly blitz in food processor. Toss with a dash of ground cinnamon. Wet the rim of the glass and dip in the toasted coconut.
Cheers to family, friends and the hope and promise of a New Year! I love to gift Coquito to family and friends with a cookie tray. I like to use glass bottles with twist off caps. I sterilize the bottles and caps and make the Coquito the night before, then fill the bottles and decorate before gifting.
Let me know if you liked it and leave a comment below.
Coquito – Puerto Rican Eggnog
A traditional Puerto Rican Christmas holiday drink that's creamy and delicious. The tropical flavors of coconut and rum make this concoction a delight! This recipe yields two 750 ml wine bottles.
Ingredients
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature (eggnog version only)
- 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 14-ounce can cream of coconut
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 12 ounces half & half I use the evaporate milk can to measure
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste or extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ΒΌ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- pinch of cloves (optional)
- 1 cup or more Bacardi white rum I use the evaporated milk can to measure, and add slightly less than the full can
Instructions
Non-Traditional Eggnog Version
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In a double boiler over low simmering water, whisk together evaporated milk and two egg yolks until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Don't walk away from this step.
Note: You can make a double boiler by placing a glass mixing bowl over a cooking pot with an inch of water in the pot. Bring water to a low simmer to cook the egg mixture. Do not allow the water to touch the bottom of the glass bowl.
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Transfer the hot egg mixture into a blender and add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, half & half, vanilla paste/extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, pinch of cloves (optional) and rum. Blend for about 30 seconds or until all ingredients are well blended.
Note: If you have a small blender, blend all above except the half & half and rum. You want to make sure the thicker ingredients blend well with the spices. You can add the half and half and rum in the next step.
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Pour the mixture through a sieve into a pot to catch any egg particles and spices that didn't blend. This step ensures a smooth drink.
Note: Add the half & half and rum to the pot now if you were unable to blend it in the blender.
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Place plastic wrap directly over the liquid to avoid creating a skin as it cools and refrigerate at least 8 hours, best overnight.
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Remove plastic wrap and stir to combine. Sieve one more time before ladling into bottles. Recipe yields two 750 ml wine bottles.
Note: They make great holiday gifts! Sterilize alcohol or wine bottles, especially those with a twist cap and make the Coquito the night before gifting. Decorate the bottles and add a pretty label.
Traditional Version (eggless)
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Blend all ingredients except half and half and white rum in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds.
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Add to a large pot or bowl and combine with half and half and white rum.
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Pour into sterilized wine bottles and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.
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Serve in small punch bowl glasses or shot glasses.
Recipe Notes
Recipe keeps up to two months refrigerated, but always consumed by Christmas Day!
