It’s Coquito time! Ready to discover the Puerto Rican eggnog-like drink?
Unique drink recipes are as much a part of the holiday season in most families as having turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving!
People in the United States enjoy eggnog, as do the citizens of Puerto Rico.
However, Puerto Rico has its unique take on this Puerto Rican holiday favorite.
What is Coquito
Puerto Rican eggnog is called Coquito, which means “little coconut” in English. Coquito may or may not include egg, but it always has either coconut milk, coconut cream, or both. Although most households drink Puerto Rican eggnog during the holiday season, many people enjoy drinking it year-round.
The remainder of this article will discuss the history of Coquito or Puerto Rican eggnog and how to prepare it.
Additionally, it will cover some of the variations you might consider to this basic Coquito recipe to make it your own.
The History of Coquito
After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. introduced evaporated and condensed milk, completing the recipe.
Today, Coquito stands as a symbol of Puerto Rico’s blended heritage, reflecting Taíno, Spanish, African, and American influences in every sip.
Does Coquito Have Eggs?
Most traditional recipes are similar, with the main difference being whether to include eggs or not. Some participants claim that excluding eggs distinguishes Coquito from regular eggnog.
On the other hand, others insist that eggs impart an essential creamier texture to the final product leaving you with a very creamy coquito.
However, everyone seems to agree that white Puerto Rican rum is the only liquor to include in a proper Coquito recipe.
What Alcohol is Used to Make Coquito
To make a traditional Puerto Rican Coquito you will need rum, Puerto Rican rum to be exact.
There is no best rum to use but the more popular brands used are Don Q, Bacardi and Palo Viejo.
But other Puerto Rican brands such as Ron Llave and Ron del Barrilito are good options as well.
Typically, a traditional Coquito is made with white rum. But feel free if dark rum or spiced rum is more to your taste.
How to Make Coquito
There are as many recipes for Puerto Rican eggnog as there is for this holiday beverage in the United States.
We developed the following coquito recipe taking the best parts from Coquito recipes published by the University of Puget Sound University‘s publication The Trail, Penn State University, and the Latin Kitchen.
Coquito Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 sticks cinnamon
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces, 396 grams)
- 1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces, 340 grams)
- 1 can Coco Lopez cream of coconut (15 ounces, 425 grams)
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup Puerto Rican white rum
Coquito Recipe
- Using a medium-size saucepan, place two to three sticks of cinnamon into two cups of water. Using medium heat, bring the water to a boil. Then, lower the heat and simmer for about five or six minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and let the water cool to room temperature.
- While the water is cooling, whip the four egg yolks in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer or a wire whisk. Slowly drizzle about a cup of the hot water and cinnamon mixture into the egg yolks while whipping them.
- Add the whipped egg yolks to the remaining water and cinnamon mixture and simmer for two to three minutes. Then, remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Whisk the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream of coconut into the room temperature egg, water, and cinnamon mixture.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Add your favorite rum to the mixture when you are serving and enjoy!
How to Serve Coquito
- It is best to make Puerto Rican eggnog a day before you plan serving it to allow the flavors to blend overnight.
- Read your room! Your guest list will dictate the amount of rum to use in your Coquito recipe.
- You might want to add a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the top of each glass before serving.
- Some people like to add a couple of tablespoons of vanilla extract to their recipe. Likewise, some people want to add a little bit of star anise, ginger, nutmeg, or all-spice when boiling the water in step one.
- You can serve the traditional holiday drink in a punch bowl with shot glasses or in festive cocktail glasses.
- Coquitos pair well with the classic Christmas dish of pasteles or the popular Puerto Rican dessert of arroz con dulce.
How Long Does Coquito Last
People often ask, how long is coquito good for? What’s it’s shelf life?
Well that depends… did you use eggs? Did you use alcohol?
If you used eggs in your recipe and it’s a virgin coquito it will only last a few days.
However, if you omitted eggs and used rum it can last a few months. As long as your Coquito is stored in an airtight container or in sealed glass bottles and properly refrigerated.
Tip: You’re going to want to shake up your Coquito right before pouring as it will solidify somewhat while in the fridge.
Coquito and Puerto Rican Holiday Traditions
Coquito is as essential to a Puerto Rican Christmas.
From early December through New Year’s, Coquito graces family dinners, festive gatherings, and traditional celebrations, bringing a tropical flavor to every event.
With its sweet, spiced taste and smooth texture, Coquito embodies the warmth and joy of Puerto Rican holidays and the island’s love for traditional Puerto Rican food.
Here’s how Coquito is celebrated in Puerto Rican holiday traditions:
1. Coquito as a Christmas Essential
Coquito is as essential to Puerto Rican Christmas as Christmas trees or holiday lights are elsewhere.
From early December through New Year’s, Coquito is served at family dinners, holiday parties, and traditional celebrations, adding a taste of the tropics to every event.
With its sweet, spiced flavor and smooth texture, Coquito captures the essence of Puerto Rican holiday joy.
2. Parrandas – Puerto Rican Christmas Carols
One of the unique ways Puerto Ricans celebrate Christmas is with parrandas, lively group gatherings where friends and family go house to house singing traditional songs, playing instruments, and dancing.
Hosts welcome them with food and drinks – and Coquito is often a highlight.
A parranda isn’t complete without glasses of Coquito to fuel the singing and merriment, keeping spirits high as the night stretches on.
3. Homemade Coquito – A Gift from the Heart
It’s common for families to make large batches of Coquito at the start of the holiday season, and many people bottle their homemade recipes to give as gifts.
Friends, neighbors, and relatives share bottles of Coquito, each adding their own special touch – some might add extra cinnamon or a hint of anise, while others experiment with different kinds of rum.
Giving a bottle of homemade Coquito is like sharing a piece of your holiday spirit and family tradition.
Coquito Variations Throughout the Caribbean
Other Caribbean islands, Latin American countries, and Spain enjoy drinking Coquitos during the holidays.
However, many of them have their twist on this holiday beverage.
Likewise, some countries have other food items that are traditionally eaten alongside Coquito.
For example, Cubans drink a version of Coquito, which is served with a scoop of coconut ice cream.
Dominicans (and Venezuelans) have their own version of the boozy drink called Ponche Crema. Of course their version includes Dominican vanilla and rum.
Additionally, many of the Caribbean Islands add fresh coconut milk to the original recipe along with the soft meat of young coconuts.
Coquito is also a holiday favorite in Spain where they typically serve it with turrón, a Spanish nougat confection that is usually made using honey, toasted almonds, sugar, and egg whites.
Coquito Competitions: Celebrating Tradition and Taste
Across the United States, competitions are held each year to crown the Coquito Master, a title awarded to the creator of the best version of Puerto Rico’s beloved holiday drink.
These events are vibrant celebrations of Puerto Rican culture and tradition, attracting contestants and fans alike who are eager to sample, savor, and share in the holiday spirit.
Here are some notable Coquito competitions and what makes them special.
Newark’s Coquito Master Competition
One popular event, the Newark Public Library’s annual Coquito Master Competition, invites participants to showcase their versions of Puerto Rican eggnog.
The contest is open to the public free of charge, allowing attendees to sample various recipes and vote for their favorite.
The Coquito Master is crowned later that day, with the event held in association with the International Coquito Federation.
This festive gathering brings together both community and culture, highlighting the diversity of Coquito recipes.
The Northeastern Coquito Master Tournament
Since its founding in 2002, the Northeastern Coquito Master Tournament has become a major event celebrating Puerto Rican heritage.
Participants enter neighborhood semi-final competitions towards the end of each year, leading to a final held in early January on Three Kings Day—the traditional close of the Christmas season in Latin America.
The renowned El Museo del Barrio in Manhattan hosts this final showdown, often joined by another museum.
For instance, in 2019, the Bronx Museum of the Arts hosted the final, drawing Coquito aficionados from across the nation to compete for the top prize.
A Fierce Competition with Deep Family Ties
According to El Museo del Barrio’s director of public relations, Gonzalo Casals, the competition is intense, as each Puerto Rican family believes their recipe is the best.
“In every Puerto Rican family, there’s a recipe,” Casals notes, capturing the pride that families take in their unique Coquito recipes.
Strict Judging Criteria: Consistency, Flavor, Kick, and Color
In this competition, judges evaluate each entry based on specific criteria: consistency, flavor, kick, and color.
Competitors often claim to have a “secret ingredient” that gives their recipe an edge, adding to the excitement and mystery of the event.
For Coquito enthusiasts, these competitions are more than just contests—they are a celebration of Puerto Rican culture, tradition, and the shared joy of creating and tasting this holiday favorite.
Where to Buy Coquito
If you’re craving Coquito but can’t make it to Puerto Rico, don’t worry!
Many brands and businesses now bottle and sell authentic Coquito, making it accessible for anyone wanting a taste of this Puerto Rican holiday classic.
Here’s where to find it:
1. Specialty Latin Markets
Many Latin grocery stores and specialty markets across the United States, especially in areas with large Puerto Rican communities like New York City, Miami, and Orlando, stock bottled Coquito during the holiday season.
These stores often carry popular Puerto Rican brands, giving you a taste that’s close to the real thing.
Check the holiday offerings in your nearest Latin market or ask the staff for recommendations.
2. Online Retailers
Several Puerto Rican brands have made their Coquito available online.
Websites like CoquitoNYC and Caribbean Trading Co. sell authentic Coquito and offer shipping to most states.
Buying online allows you to try various brands and even explore unique flavors like chocolate, coffee, or pistachio Coquito.
Be sure to place your order early, as Coquito is in high demand during the holiday season.
3. Local Puerto Rican Restaurants and Bakeries
During the holidays, Puerto Rican restaurants and bakeries in the U.S. often make their own Coquito to sell by the bottle.
This homemade Coquito is sometimes even closer to what you’d enjoy on the island, as each place usually follows its own traditional recipe.
Restaurants and bakeries frequently promote their Coquito sales on social media, so check out local establishments’ Facebook or Instagram pages, or call ahead to inquire about availability.
What We Learned Today About the Puerto Rican Eggnog
We covered a lot of information today regarding the classic Puerto Rican drink, its varied uses throughout the Caribbean Islands and history.
And, we concluded with instructions on how to prepare Puerto Rican eggnog or Coquito.
You might consider sharing this article and recipe with family and friends who enjoy traditional eggnog from the states.
You also might consider bookmarking this article for future reference for the upcoming holiday season.
You can shop for Puerto Rican products and recipes.
Coquito Recipe
This Puerto Rican thick and creamy coquito recipe is a tradiotnal holiday drink that is loaded with rum, coconut and cinnamon. Make for your next Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve party. It's delicious served very cold!
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 sticks cinnamon
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 can evaporated milk 12 ounces
- 1 can cream of coconut 15 ounces
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup white rum
Instructions
- Using a medium-size saucepan, place two to three sticks of cinnamon into two cups of water. Using medium heat, bring the water to a boil. Then, lower the heat and simmer for about five or six minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and let the water cool to room temperature.
- While the water is cooling, whip the four egg yolks in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer or a wire whisk. Slowly drizzle about a cup of the hot water and cinnamon mixture into the egg yolks while whipping them.
- Add the whipped egg yolks to the remaining water and cinnamon mixture and simmer for two to three minutes. Then, remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Whisk the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream of coconut into the room temperature egg, water, and cinnamon mixture.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Add the rum to the mixture when you are serving the beverage and serve in shot glasses or cocktail glasses and enjoy!
Notes
It is best to make Puerto Rican eggnog a day before you plan serving it to allow the flavors to blend.
You might want to add ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the top of each glass before serving.
Some people like to add a couple of tablespoons of vanilla extract to their recipe. Likewise, some people want to add a little bit of anise, ginger, nutmeg, or all-spice when boiling the water in step one.
Sources
- Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street: Cookbook Writer Von Diaz on the Magic of Puerto Rico
- Punch: Coquito: Puerto Rico’s Tropical Take on Eggnog
- The Latin Kitchen: A Coquito Story
- The Newark Public Library: 2020 COQUITO MASTERS COMPETITION
- Newsweek: When Is Three King’s Day and How Is It Celebrated
- The Bronx Museum of the Arts: 2019 NYS Coquito Masters Competition
- WNYC, New York Public Radio: New Yorkers Compete for Title of ‘Coquito Master’
- Puget Sound University: Unique recipes for festive drinks instill the holiday spirit
- Penn State University: Coquito Recipe
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.