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A festive glass of creamy coquito garnished with cinnamon sticks and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, surrounded by holiday decorations.

Traditional Puerto Rican Coquito


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  • Total Time: 15 minutes active, plus 4+ hours chilling
  • Yield: Approximately 8-10 servings (2 liters) 1x

Description

This classic Puerto Rican Coquito recipe is a rich, creamy, and spiced coconut-based holiday drink, often dubbed 'Puerto Rican eggnog'. Perfect for festive celebrations, it's easy to make, requires no cooking, and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale

1 (15 ounce) can cream of coconut (such as Coco López)
1 (13.5 ounce) can unsweetened full-fat coconut milk
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups white or aged Puerto Rican rum (adjust to taste, or omit for non-alcoholic)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Instructions

Step 1: In a high-speed blender, combine the cream of coconut, unsweetened coconut milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, usually about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides to ensure everything is incorporated.
Step 2: Add the ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, ground cloves, vanilla extract, and rum (if using). Blend again for another 30 seconds until all ingredients are well combined and the spices are evenly distributed.
Step 3: For an extra-smooth finish, strain the coquito mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher or glass bottles. This step is optional but highly recommended to remove any small particles.
Step 4: Cover the pitcher or bottles and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight or for up to 24-48 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen, and the coquito to thicken to its perfect consistency.
Step 5: Before serving, give the coquito a good stir or shake as some separation may occur. Pour into small glasses or cordial cups. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick, and enjoy your festive coquito recipe chilled.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic coquito, simply omit the rum. For an even richer spice flavor, infuse whole cinnamon sticks and a few cloves in a small portion of the coconut milk by gently warming it, then letting it cool completely before blending.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 oz (approx. 120ml)
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg