Description
Coquito is a creamy, traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink made with a rich blend of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Often spiked with rum, this festive beverage is chilled and served cold, garnished with cinnamon sticks and a sprinkle of nutmeg, perfect for cozy celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 15 oz cream of coconut
- 13.5 oz coconut milk
- 0.5 to 1 cup white rum (optional)
Flavorings & Garnish
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg (optional, for garnish)
- Cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend the dairy and coconut base: Add evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, and coconut milk into a blender. Blend on medium speed until the mixture is fully smooth and creamy.
- Add spices and rum: Pour in vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and if desired, white rum. Blend again briefly just to combine all ingredients evenly without overmixing.
- Chill the coquito: Transfer the blended mixture into a pitcher or sealable bottles. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and the drink to chill thoroughly.
- Serve and garnish: Before serving, shake the bottles or stir the mixture well. Pour into small glasses and garnish each with a cinnamon stick and a light sprinkle of ground nutmeg or cinnamon for added aroma and appearance.
Notes
- Coquito is traditionally served cold, so chilling it well is essential to its refreshing taste.
- Adjust the rum quantity based on how strong you want the drink; it can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.
- Shaking the coquito before serving helps redistribute the ingredients as some settling may occur during refrigeration.
- Use cream of coconut (such as Coco López) for authentic sweetness and texture—do not confuse it with coconut cream or milk alone.
- The drink can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator to enhance flavor development.
