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Puerto Rican Coquito Recipe: Puerto Rico Coconut Christmas Drink

  • EspaƱol
Portions: 8 shots

Calories: 325kcal

Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas beverage. I show you how to make it with step-by-step photos and video. This eggnog-style drink is traditionally made with rum and coconut milk, and here I bring you the traditional, authentic coquito recipe.

Why I ā¤ļø it • Recipe • Ingredients • Video • Preparation

Coquito coconut eggnog.

Coconut eggnog coquito.

Why I ā¤ļø it

Alongside mofongo and piƱa colada, coquito is part of the trilogy of Puerto Rican dishes I can't live without. Ponche crema or rum eggnog is a traditional Christmas drink around Latin America, but coquito is a Puerto Rican eggnog that has tropical flavors we can't help but love. 

This coconut eggnog recipe, the official Puerto Rican Christmas drink, is based on and inspired by the Puerto Rican coquito from the book Puerto Rican Cookery by Carmen Ahoy Valldejuli. A must-have for anyone who wishes to learn about the cuisine of Puerto Rico. It has the best coquito recipe I have ever tried: simple and with just a handful of ingredients, a no-fuzz method, and a rich and smooth coconut flavor.

Coconut eggnog coquito recipe

This awesome free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, I receive a small commission from any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Learn how to make the authentic, quick and easy coquito recipe that Puerto Ricans love and anyone who taste it falls in love with. Make this Christmas a special time and treat friends and family to this wonderful tropical coconut eggnog.

Course: Drinks
Inspiration: Caribbean, Puerto Rico
Category: best coquito recipe, how to make coquito, quick and easy coquito recipes, what is a coquito
Author: Clara GonzƔlez

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time25 mins

Utensils and tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wire whisk
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Medium saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Candy thermometer
  • A bottle [1 liter] that has been washed with hot water
Coconut eggnog coquito.
Coconut eggnog coquito.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups [400 ml] of coconut milk, a 15-ounce can
  • 1 cup [200 ml] of sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 cup of white rum
  • A pinch of freshly-grated nutmeg

Video

Preparation

Before starting, please make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.

Step 1: Mix liquids

Mixing liquids.
Mixing liquids.

In a large bowl, combine coconut milk, condensed milk, egg yolks, and rum. With the wire whisk, break the yolks and stir until it's all combined.

Sieve the mixture into the saucepan to discard undissolved solids.

Step 2: Simmer

Cooking and measuring temperature.
Cooking and measuring temperature.

Take to the stove and heat to low temperature, stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a temperature of 165°F [73.89 °C] and maintain it for 10 minutes (15-20 minutes in total). It should not reach a boil because the egg yolks would overcook and ruin the texture.

Step 3: Cool

Stirring to cool.
Stirring to cool.

Add the ground nutmeg and stir until it's combined. 

Remove from the heat and stir for about 3 minutes to lower the temperature slightly. Using a funnel, pour into the clean bottle and screw the cap.

Let it cool to room temperature.

Step 4: Chill and store

Bottled before chilling.
Bottled before chilling.

Chill in the fridge before serving (about 4 hours).

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days if it's kept chilled at all times.

Top tips

  • If you do not partake in alcohol, you can make a virgin coquito by leaving out the rum. In that case, you should add an extra cup of coconut milk, because, without the extra liquid, it would be too thick.
  • Coquito has a safe shelf life of 3-4 days if stored at a maximum temperature of 40°F [4.44 °C]. Once it reaches room temperature, it's not safe to return the drink to the fridge.
  • If you won't consume a whole large bottle at once, it's best to store it in smaller bottles.
  • Coquito bottles make great Christmas edible gifts. You can make extra to give away.
  • If you love coquito, you'll certainly love this coconut flan too!
  • Don't miss this pistachio coquito recipe!
Quick and easy coquito.
Quick and easy coquito.

Serving suggestions

This is traditionally served for Christmas, but it has also become a Thanksgiving drink for Puerto Ricans. Serve it in small shot glasses.

Shake the bottle a bit before serving, so it's uniformly smooth.

Variations

There are many versions of this holiday drink, and the preferred spices vary from home to home. Some people add cinnamon sticks while it boils, some add cloves, some add small slivers of ginger, or a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and some garnish it with a sprinkle of cinnamon powder when served. I love the simplicity of the traditional recipe, but you can try playing with it.

Another way to make coquito is by using cream of coconut and evaporated milk. If you want to try that, use 1½ cups of evaporated milk and 1½ cup of coconut cream.

Vegan coquito

To make a vegan coquito, leave the egg yolks out, and mix 1½ cups of coconut milk and 1½ cups of coconut cream. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, add rum, and simmer, stirring until it has thickened (about 5 minutes). Garnish with cinnamon powder or ground nutmeg.

Nutritional information

Calories: 325kcal - Carbohydrates: 23g - Protein: 5g - Fat: 17g - Saturated Fat: 13g - Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g - Monounsaturated Fat: 2g - Cholesterol: 86mg - Sodium: 59mg - Potassium: 274mg - Sugar: 21g - Vitamin A: 199IU - Vitamin C: 2mg - Calcium: 128mg - Iron: 2mg

More drink recipes

  • How To Make Cucumber Juice: An Easy And Healthy Recipe
  • Easy, Creamy, Cold Chocolate Drink
  • Winter Coffee Recipe: Spiced Coffee
  • Pistachio Coquito: The Puerto Rican Pistachio Eggnog

See more: drink recipes

FAQs

What is the best rum for coquito?

Pick your favorite white Puerto Rican rum, but any Caribbean white rum would work well. You don't need the most expensive stuff. There's plenty of good quality inexpensive rum you can use for this cocktail.

Does coquito thicken in the fridge?

Yes, the coquito will thicken in the fridge, so expect the warm coquito to be thinner than once thoroughly chilled.

Should coquito be refrigerated?

As with any dairy or egg blend, homemade coquito should be refrigerated below 40°F [4.44 °C]. It has a shell life of 3-4 days. Store-bought coquito has storage instructions on the label.

How long does homemade coquito last?

Homemade coquito has a shell life of 3-4 days stored at a safe temperature below  40°F [4.44 °C].

Is coquito eggnog?

Coquito is a type of eggnog made with coconut milk. Ponche crema is the Latin American and Spanish eggnog. Coquito is Puerto Rican coconut eggnog.

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How to Make Coquito Puerto Rican Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups coconut milk [400 ml] 15-ounce can
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk [200 ml]
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 cup white rum
  • Pinch freshly-grated nutmeg

Instructions

Mix liquids

  • In a large bowl, combineĀ coconut milk,Ā condensed milk,Ā egg yolks, andĀ rum. With the wire whisk, break the yolks and stir until it's all well combined.
    Sieve the mixture into the saucepan to discard undissolved solids.

Simmer

  • Take to the stove and heat to low temperature, stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a temperature of 165°F [73.89 °C] and maintains it for 10 minutes (15-20 minutes in total). It should not reach a boil because the egg yolks would overcook and ruin the texture.

Cool

  • Add the groundĀ nutmegĀ and stir until it's combined.Ā Remove from the heat and stir for about 3 minutes to lower the temperature slightly. Using a funnel, pour into the clean bottle and screw the cap.
    Let it cool to room temperature.

Chill and store

  • Chill in the fridge before serving (about 4 hours).
    You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days if it's kept chilled at all times.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal

Originally published on Nov 18, 2019

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  1. Nairobi

    December 09, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe, my family is for Puerto Rico and we love coquito.

    Reply
  2. Carolina Mar

    December 08, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    Oh, woah, this is exaclty what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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