Skip the eggnog and sip on a coquito this holiday season
As the holiday décor appears, the eggnog fills the glass. While many people cannot get enough of that seasonal beverage, this year be inspired by the traditional Puerto Rican coquito and add a boost of flavor to that sweeter cocktail.
During the holiday season, many cultures have specific traditions. From the holiday meal to special beverages, the celebration is not complete without enjoying that flavor at least once.
In Puerto Rico, coquito is always poured during the holidays. While each family’s personal recipe can vary, the basic ingredients are “coconut milk, coconut cream, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and rum.” Some people might add chocolate, guava or various other flavors to the beverage.
As part of the holiday celebration, Discover Puerto Rico shared a classic coquito recipe for everyone to mix up their own beverage this holiday season.
Traditional Coquito Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 can of condensed milk
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 1 can of cream of coconut (most Puerto Ricans prefer Coco López)
- ½ cup of white rum (Preferably Don Q or Bacardí)
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (add more to taste)
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Then transfer traditional coquito into glass bottles and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and cinnamon stick
While this recipe is relatively simple, some people would prefer to have a ready to drink option. Bacardi has brought back its pourable version. This version has been so popular, it has sold out two years running.
Featuring Bacardi Superior white rum, the coconut cream, vanilla, cinnamon and toasted spices are inviting. Whether served with a cinnamon stick, fresh grated nutmeg or even a little coconut flakes, it is best to snag a bottle before it disappears.
Keeping with the simple theme, RumHaven has a cocktail suggestion that brings a hint of the classic, but only has two ingredients. Its recipe uses horchata to offer that creaminess without being too heavy.
Here’s how to make Havenly Coquito
Havenly Coquito
Ingredients
- 2 oz. RumHaven
- 2 oz. Horchata
- Garnish with cinnamon
Directions
- Add ingredients into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with cinnamon.
For people who want to be a little extra during the holiday season, Ron del Barrilito has shared a recipe that makes two bottles, one to drink and one to share. While a coquito is often created with a white rum, using the Ron del Barrilito sipping rum, the flavor is more robust. Even though the creams and milks are unctuous, the rum stands up to those flavors. This cocktail deserves a pretty glass for sipping.
Coquito Recipe with Ron del Barrilito
Ingredients:
- 6oz. Ron del Barrilito Two Stars
- 2oz. Ron Hacienda Santa Ana
- 1/2 can of Condensed Milk
- 1 can of Evaporated Milk
- 1 can of Coconut Milk
- 1 can of Coconut Cream
- 1/2 spoon of Cinnamon Powder
- 1/4 spoon of Vanilla
This recipe will make TWO bottles worth of Coquito, each bottle being a standard 750ML size
Lastly, for people who want to enhance the coconut flavor in the cocktail, Coconut Cartel has curated the perfect kit to bring a taste of the tropics home. The Coconut Cartel is “cut to proof with fresh coconut water.” The difference can be tasted with the first sip.
In partnership with Coquito NYV, this special coquito kit is perfect for anyone who is just discovering this holiday beverage. And, the special spices can be passed off as your own personal secret touch.
Included in the kit are the following:
- 1 Bottle of Coconut Cartel Anejo Rum
- Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk and Organic Coconut Milk by Coquito NYC
- Vanilla Extract
- Signature blend of spices by Coquito NYC
- 4 Straws
- 4 Custom Coquito Glass Bottles
Since National Coquito Day is celebrated on December 21, it is the perfect time to shake up this traditional holiday beverage. If eggnog isn’t on the shelf this year, don’t fret. There’s another tasty holiday beverage waiting to be drunk.