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    Home » Recipes » Holidays » Christmas/Navidad

    Nov 26, 2020 by Lola Calder-Rodas

    How to Make the Best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog

    25 shares
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    The holiday season is finally upon us. That also means is Coquito season. Coquito is a creamy boozy drink that Puerto Ricans make for Christmas. Here is my recipe on How to make the best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog.

    You can get my Puerto Rican Adobo recipe here .

    How to make the best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog

    What is Coquito?

    It means "Little Coconut" in Spanish.

    Coquito is a creamy coconut-y boozy creamy drink that it originated in Puerto Rico and we drink during the holidays.

    We start making Coquito as Early as November and drink all the way through Three King's Day in January 6.

    Before I continue, let me get this out of the way: Coquito is NOT egg nog. Nor it does contains eggs. That's a total different drink called ponche and once again you don't put eggs on Coquito.

    There's debate as to how Coquito originated. One is that it is literally unknown who and how the recipe started.

    The other theory is that during Colonization, the Spaniards brought the drink to the island. Taking a spin on the Spanish "Eggnog" adding a Spirit therefore ending up with Coquito.

    Maybe the real story is that a Taíno or an African created the OG recipe and the Spaniards wanted to take credit for it as colonizers have been known to do.

    It is said that Puerto Ricans added the coconut milk to the original recipe. So In resume no one really know for certain where the recipe came from.

    How to make the best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog

    How to make the best Coquito?

    We have been making Coquito in my family for decades. My Granpa used to make the Pitorro - Puerto Rican Moonshine - a strong, high-proof, raw spirit usually made from  molasses or sugarcane - in the summer so it'd be ready for the holidays. Being that Pitorro is *ahem* illegal to make, (I know there are some commercial Pitorro BUT it is not the same) we make variations of the drink with Rum since my Granpa passed away in the 90's.

    The main ingredients are: Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, Sweetened Condensed Milk and Rum. In the past making Coquito was an act of love. You'd had to make your own coconut milk. Nowadays, we benefit from the convenience of canned coconut milk.

    Some prepare it in the stove and some prepare it in a blender. I always make mine in the blender.

    Through out the years families have adapted and created their own recipes, but in essence we all make it with the same foundation ingredients.

    This recipe comes together easy but there are steps that you should not skip to make a successful batch of Coquito.

    The longer you let the drink sit on the refrigerator the better it becomes.

    Alright, lets get to some Coquito making. Cue *Dame la Mano Palomaaaa*

    How to make the best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog

    Here is what you need to make the best Coquito:

    Ingredients:

    Coconut Milk - I like to buy my coconut milk at Hmart or Trader Joe's

    Coconut Cream - I don't like overly sweet coquito, so I use unsweetened coconut cream, makes it creamy.

    Sweetened Condensed Milk - You are getting all the sweetness from the condensed milk. It contains all the sugar you'll need.

    Rum - You will need two types of rum: White and Dark. I use the Don Q rums, they are my favorite and the flavor is on point as to how coquito should taste. The dark rum will give it a warm taste and that's what makes it so good!

    Additional Liqueur - I have made different flavors of Coquito like Nutella, Pistachio, Pumpkin Spice, Amaretto, and with Hazelnut Liquor. Frangelico is an Italian Hazelnut Liqueur made with hazelnuts found on Piedmont and they are combined with coffee, vanilla and cocoa distillates and extracts for a sweet yet balanced golden essence.

    Spices - You can use Pure vanilla, imitation vanilla or vanilla paste. Also ground nutmeg. Cinnamon cloves & star anise.

    Blender - so you will need a good blender to make sure that everything get mix evenly.

    Funnel + Strainer - this is very important in the process so you will need a medium size funnel and small strainer.

    Two Empty wine bottles - or bottles big enough with caps.

    How to make Coquito – Puerto Rican Nog.

    Steps:

    In the blender add the coconut milk, coconut cream, rums, liqueur, vanilla and spices. Blend until everything comes together.

    **THIS STEP YOU DON'T WANT TO SKIP**

    Place the funnel and strainer in the opening of one of the bottles. Pour Coquito mixture. Repeat about 4 to 5 times, discarding the fat from the strainer every time. This will give you a smooth Coquito.

    Put it in the refrigerator for at least a day before drinking. Coquito settles and separates due to the fat content in the milk and cream, so before pouring, poke it with a straw close it and shake vigorously so everything is combined thoroughly.

    The longer is stays in the refrigerator the better it gets. Now go pour some. Sprinkle more cinnamon, nutmeg and garnish with star anise and cinnamon clove.

    There you have it, how to make the best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog! Want to save it to make later. Pin it on Pinterest. You can also Find me on Instagram where I share the How to do videos!

    Salud!!


    How to make the best coquito - puerto rican nog

    How to Make the Best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog.

    Lola - Café Sazón y Vida
    Coquito is a sweet, creamy and boozy drink Puerto Ricans make during the holidays.
    4.77 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Chill 1 d
    Total Time 1 d 15 mins
    Course brunch, Cocktails, cocktails with rum, coquito
    Cuisine Caribbean, Puertorican
    Servings 2 bottles

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • Measuring Cup + Spoons
    • Strainer
    • Funnel
    • Jigger
    • 2 empty wine bottles.

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cans of Coconut Milk I use Trader Joes
    • 1 Can of Unsweetened Coconut Cream I use Trader Joes
    • 1 Can of Sweetened Condensed milk
    • ⅓ Cup White Rum I use Don Q
    • ⅓ Cup Dark Rum Spiced Rum Works too
    • 1 oz Frangelico Hazelnut Liquor
    • .5 oz Vanilla
    • ½ TBSP Cinnamon You can add more if you like, also you can dust when served.
    • ½ TSP Nutmeg
    • Star Anise + Cinammon Cloves for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • In the blender add the Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, Condensed milk, Vanilla, Frangelico, Rums, Nutmeg, and Cinnamon.
    • Blend until everything is combined.
    • DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP : This part is very important that you follow:
      In an empty wine bottle, using a funnel and a strainer pour Coquito mix.
      Repeat about 4 to 5 times, discarding the fat from the strainer every time. This will give you a smooth Coquito.
    • Put it in the refrigerator for at least a day before drinking. Coquito settles and separates due to the fat content in the milk and cream, so before pouring, open the bottle, poke it with a straw close it and shake vigorously so everything is combined thoroughly.
      The longer is stays in the refrigerator the better it gets. Now go pour some over ice. Sprinkle more cinnamon, nutmeg and garnish with star anise and cinnamon clove.
      Coquito is meant to be sipped.
      Salud!!!
    Keyword cocktails with don q, Cocktails with Rum, coquito, the best coquito
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @cafesazonyvida on Instagram and use #cafesazonyvida!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie says

      November 30, 2020 at 2:08 am

      5 stars
      This is so delicious! Creamy and coconuty and just sweet enough. Nicely spiced. I didn’t have wine bottles so I stored it in mason jars and then just re-blended before serving. Thank you for sharing this recipe! .

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        November 30, 2020 at 5:02 am

        Hi Julie!
        Thank you so much for your feedback! I am glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Martha says

      December 04, 2020 at 4:19 am

      5 stars
      Omg! I love all your recipes 😍. All of them are so tasty and easy to prepare. Thanks for sharing your recipes and your culture

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        December 04, 2020 at 7:48 am

        Hi Martha!! Thank you so much for your feedback and your support!!
        I am glad you are here!!

        Reply
        • Kathy says

          October 03, 2021 at 1:18 am

          Hi just wondering what size are the coconut cans? I would love to make it but not sure of the sizes. Thanks

          Reply
          • Lola Calder-Rodas says

            October 03, 2021 at 11:16 pm

            Hello!! For the coconut cream and milk the size of the can is 13.5 ounces. Hope this helps!! 🙂

            Reply
    3. Martha says

      December 30, 2020 at 11:57 pm

      5 stars
      Love cocoquito drink 🍹!!! Finally I could prepare it and I have to say that is so delicious 😋! I love coconut and this drink is perfect for me even my husband love it. Thanks for sharing all your recipes. Feliz Año y que el próximo año venga lleno de mas recetas

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        January 05, 2021 at 7:47 pm

        Martha!
        I am so glad you and the hubby loved it!! Thank you for your feedback and for your support!
        Abrazos!

        Reply

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    Hola!! Welcome to my pedacito on the internet. La Vida is meant to be enjoyed with a good cup of Café and well seasoned food!

    I love to share my Puerto Rican culture though recipes, stories, libations. I am also a commercial photographer.

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