Description
Coquito, Puerto Rico’s festive coconut eggnog, blends creamy richness with holiday spirit in a glass. Smooth rum-infused flavors and silky coconut textures invite celebratory sips that connect you directly to Caribbean cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Alcoholic Ingredient:
- ½ to 1 cup white rum
Main Dairy and Coconut Ingredients:
- 1 (12 ounces or 340 grams) can evaporated milk
- 1 (14 ounces or 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (13.5 ounces or 400 milliliters) can coconut milk
- 1 (13.5 ounces or 400 milliliters) can cream of coconut (e.g., Coco Lopez)
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Garnish:
- Cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients in a blender, ensuring they are at a consistent, cool temperature for optimal mixing.
- Pour evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and cream of coconut into the blender, creating a rich, creamy base.
- Add vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to infuse the mixture with warm, aromatic spices.
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until the mixture transforms into a silky, homogeneous liquid with no visible lumps.
- Introduce rum gradually, starting with a conservative amount and adjusting to personal taste preference, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Pulse the blender briefly to incorporate the rum evenly throughout the liquid, maintaining the smooth texture.
- Transfer the coquito into a clean glass bottle or sealed container, selecting a vessel that allows room for gentle shaking before serving.
- Refrigerate the mixture for a minimum of two hours, allowing the flavors to harmonize and the drink to reach an optimal chilled temperature.
- Before serving, vigorously shake the container to redistribute any settled spices and ensure a consistent taste.
- Pour the chilled coquito into petite glasses, creating an inviting presentation that showcases the creamy, spiced beverage.
- Optional: Enhance the visual appeal by garnishing with a cinnamon stick or a delicate sprinkle of ground cinnamon atop each serving.
Notes
- Rum Selection Matters: Choose a high-quality Puerto Rican rum like Bacardi or Don Q for an authentic flavor profile that enhances the traditional coquito experience.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap dairy milks with coconut cream, almond milk, and coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the creamy richness.
- Spice Intensity Control: Adjust ground cinnamon and nutmeg quantities to personalize the warmth and depth of the drink’s aromatic character.
- Storage Wisdom: Homemade coquito stays fresh in a sealed container for up to two weeks when refrigerated, allowing you to prepare batches in advance for spontaneous celebrations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg