Destination Puerto Rico: Coquito for the Holidays!

In January 2022, Kent and I visited Fajardo, Puerto Rico. It was one of the most beautiful and relaxing getaways we’ve ever had. It was made extra special by the fact that we stayed at the El Conquistador Resort (pictured above ↑↑↑), a place where Kent’s grandfather used to stay back in the day (1950s?) when he was a working professional. I would love to go back to PR some day, and if that day comes, I want to have a Coquito!

Coquito is a delightful creamy libation from Puerto Rico and I want to share it with you here, in time for the holiday season!

Coquito means “small coconut” in Spanish. It is traditionally associated with the holiday season and is made in batches. It is often compared to eggnog but let me tell you what it is really like: Coquito is like smooth snickerdoodle silk with a kick! It is creamy, coconut-y, vanilla-y, cinnamon-y, rum-y, pure delight. I promise you will love it.

This drink is other-worldly. I highly recommend you give it a try.

~Becca

My beautiful friend, Fabiola, is from Aguadilla, PR and I chatted with her recently about how she likes to celebrate with Coquito!

Me: And how do you make it?

Fabi: I simply do my mom’s basic 1 can of cream of coconut, 1 can of evaporated milk, 1 can of condensed milk, and ground cinnamon (to taste). I place the cinnamon down first since it can get clumpy and I like to add whole cinnamon sticks (usually 2). Then my mom would say, “1 cup of white rum,” but it was always more than a cup. We prefer Bacardi white rum. 

Me: How do you serve it? 

Fabi: We usually serve it in small shot glasses since it can be so sweet. Not to be ingested like a shot though! [hahaha] It’s more of a sipping experience. It’s usually during any holiday party when everyone is chatting there’s a bottle nearby.

Me: Obviously, coconut is a big feature of the Coquito. Are there variations to this drink?

Fabi: They make many variations of it. I have had Nutella, flan, pistachio, and almond variations. 

Island Origins

The origins of Coquito are a mystery, but its roots likely stretch back to Puerto Rico’s colonial period. Some say it was the Spanish who brought their eggnog-like concoctions to the island and blended it with the local rum, and that is how this tropical delight was born! 

Since then, Coquito has transcended its island origins. Similar coconut-based libations exist in other Caribbean countries and even Spain. In Cuba, for instance, they serve it with coconut ice cream.

Fabi’s Mom’s Coquito Recipe:

Ingredients

• Ground cinnamon (to taste)
• 1 can of cream of coconut
• 1 can of evaporated milk
• 1 can of condensed milk
• 1 cup of Bacardi white rum

Steps

In a pitcher, add the ground cinnamon first. Add 2 cinnamon sticks for extra spice! Add all the other ingredients to the pitcher then add 1 cup (or more!) of Bacardi white rum.

Thx to Fabi for the recipe! Hoping I’ll get to have Coquito in PR some day!

Cheers!

I made Coquito for National Hispanic Heritage month in October. Watch my video here!