Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (2024)

This authentic Coquito recipe is loaded with coconut flavor and vanilla then topped off with rum and cinnamon.

Welcome the holiday season with a traditional Christmas drink- Coquito, also known as Puerto Rican Egg Nog. This decadent and authentic Coquito recipe is loaded with tons of coconut flavor and vanilla then topped off with white rum and a cinnamon stick.

This Coquito recipe has been a Foodie and Wine reader favorite since 2017!

What Is Coquito

Coquito is the Puerto Rican version of eggnog. This traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink is typically made with coconut milk, coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and rum. Its creamy texture and rich coconut flavor is complemented by the warmth of the rum and the aromatic spices.

The drink is often served chilled and is especially popular during the Christmas season. I typically serve it next to a batch of warm mulled wine.

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (1)

Egg Nog vs Coquito

Egg Nog and Coquito are both traditional holiday drinks, but they have distinct differences rooted in their cultural origins and ingredients:

Egg Nog is a popular drink in the United States and Canada during the holiday season. The festive drink recipe includes milk, cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and spices like ground nutmeg or cinnamon. It’s often spiked with brandy, rum, whiskey, or bourbon. Egg Nog has a creamy, rich texture, and the taste can vary from quite sweet to mildly spiced.

Coquito, meaning “Little Coconut” in Spanish, is a classic Puerto Rican drink, often served on Christmas Eve and Christmas. While referred to as “creamy coconut eggnog”, its flavor profile is quite different. The main ingredients are coconut milk, coconut cream, condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, eggs, and rum. Coquito has a distinct coconut flavor and is generally creamier and richer than traditional Egg Nog.

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (2)

Puerto Rican Coquito

Here are the ingredients required to make Puerto Rican Eggnog!

  • Full-fat Coconut Milk (fresh coconut milk or canned)
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Cream of Coconut (I like the Coco Lopez brand)
  • Evaporated Milk
  • Eggs
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Pure Vanilla Extract (or Vanilla Bean)
  • White Rum
  • Optional Garnish: Cinnamon Sticks and Coconut Flakes

Tip – use the leftover spices to make a Christmas Simmering Pot. Use the leftover condensed milk to make Thai Milk Tea.

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How To Make Puerto Rican Eggnog

It’s surprisingly simple to make this complex flavored drink. Make a batch or two before the holiday’s so it’s ready to go come party time.

Blend The Coconut Mix –Add the evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream of coconut and coconut milk to a large blender and blend until combined. Make sure to include the coconut fat from the cream of coconut.

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (4)

Add the Froth –Add the egg yolks and blend for 10 seconds.

Add the Flavor –Add the rum, vanilla, and ground cinnamon, and blend until combined.

Refrigerate –Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours (until cold).

Serve – When ready to serve, pour a small amount over ice and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Best Rum

The best rum to use to make creamy coquito is light rum, however you can always use coconut rum, spiced rum or even dark rum. It will alter the flavor, obviously, but the essence of the drink will be intact. I usually use Bacardi and make a Bacardi Coquito. If you make rum co*cktails often, you probably already have a favorite brand/type you can use.

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Alcohol Content

Before moving on to the recipe, I have (2) warnings for Coquito Virgins: Remember the first time you had a sip of wine and swore you were tipsy? Yeah, this recipe will do just that. It’s strong. It’s meant to be poured over ice and sipped. If you’re not a sipper (HELLO!) you can cut back on the rum. Or not. Just know it’s one boozy drink.

Variations

While the recipe is perfect as is, there are a few variations you can make to account for different dietary needs or preferences:

Virgin Coquito

To make it alcohol-free, just omit the rum altogether. No replacement is needed.

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Coquito Without Eggs

Don’t eat raw eggs? Just leave the raw egg yolks out of this Coquito drink. This Puerto Rico Coquito Recipe is just fine without them – it just won’t be frothy.

Other Warm Spices and Additions

The best thing about this rum co*cktail is it’s adaptability. Sprinkle in some cocoa, orange zest, nutmeg or the like to adjust to your preference.

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Tips

  • Store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Give it a good shake or stir before pouring.
  • Cans of cream of coconut have a layer of thick coconut fat on the top. This is normal – do not throw it out. It does go into the blender!
  • Use the leftover ingredients to make an Eggnog Martini!

Without Further Ado…the best Coquito recipe! For Christmas, make sure to check out our huge list ofChristmas Party Themes.

This recipe was originally posted in December 2017, but has been updated with new photos and additional text. Below is one of the original photos.

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (8)

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (9)

Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog)

Welcome the holiday season with a traditional Christmas drink- Coquito, also known as Puerto Rican Egg Nog. This decadent and authentic Coquito recipe is loaded with tons of coconut flavor and vanilla then topped off with white rum and a cinnamon stick.

4.10 from 22 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cooling: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 Drinks

Calories: 531kcal

Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 1 can Evaporated Milk ((12 oz))
  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk ((14 oz))
  • 1 can Sweetened Cream of Coconut ((15 oz))
  • 1 can Coconut Milk ((14 oz))
  • cup White Rum or Coconut Rum
  • 2 Medium Egg Yolks
  • 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

  • Add the evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream of coconut and coconut milk to a large blender and blend until combined.

    1 can Evaporated Milk, 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk, 1 can Sweetened Cream of Coconut, 1 can Coconut Milk

  • Add the egg yolks and blend for 10 seconds.

    2 Medium Egg Yolks

  • Add the rum, vanilla, and ground cinnamon, and blend until combined.

    1½ cup White Rum or Coconut Rum, 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon, 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

  • Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours (until cold).

  • When ready to serve, pour a small amount over ice and top with a dash of ground cinnamon.

Notes

Nutritional information is only estimated.

Nutrition

Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @foodieandwine or tag #foodieandwine!

Coquito Recipe (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Coquito and eggnog? ›

Eggnog, as its name implies, is made using eggs along with other staple ingredients. Meanwhile, coquito (which means “l*ttle coconut” in Spanish) requires coconut instead. While traditional Puerto Rican coquito does not include eggs, it is still a common ingredient in some versions, especially in Mexico.

What is Puerto Rican eggnog made of? ›

This recipe is simple: coconut milk, rum, vanilla, and cinnamon. Boom. Done. I like to sweeten mine with sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut.

What is the best rum for Puerto Rican Coquito? ›

For authentic coquito, aim for *Puerto Rican* rum like Don Q, Bacardí, Ron del Barrilito, Palo Viejo, etc. Vegan or dairy-free coquito: If you can find sweetened condensed coconut milk (11.25 ounce can) and evaporated coconut milk (12.2 ounce can), they'll be easy swaps here.

Which liquor is best for Coquito? ›

Rich, creamy Coquito is a classic Puerto Rican co*cktail made with coconut cream, coconut milk, baking spices and, most important, rum. It is a centerpiece of the year-end festivities for many families on the Caribbean island.

Is coquito healthier than eggnog? ›

Bottom line: If you're looking for a healthier festive beverage, neither coquito nor eggnog has the clear nutrition advantage. Either way, you're drinking a boozy, rich beverage. “Alcohol is alcohol, and sweet is sweet,” Mercado says.

Why did my coquito curdle? ›

It's because the fat from the coconut is solidifying. If this happens to you, I would pop it in the blender right before serving. That should dissolve any bits that might've solidified.

Why is my coquito chunky? ›

What are the chunks in coquito? Coquito should be smooth, but it can become chunky if you use coconut milk instead of cream of coconut. The fat in coconut milk can separate and solidify towards the top of the container. Returning it to the blender just before serving should resolve the issue.

Is rompope the same as coquito? ›

Mexican rompope is an eggnog-like drink made with milk, egg yolks, sugar, rum, and cinnamon. It's easy to make — just be patient with all the stirring! Puerto Rican coquito, made with dark rum, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and cinnamon, is a rich and luscious drink for the holiday season.

Is dark or clear rum better for coquito? ›

Inés calls for white rum here—ideally Puerto Rican rum, like Bacardí or Don Q—but you can swap in dark rum for more syrupy, spiced notes (just avoid coconut rum, which has a more artificial coconut flavor). If you have time, soak a few cinnamon sticks in the bottle of rum for a few days to infuse it with woodsy spice.

Why is my coquito foamy? ›

The foam results from the additives in the canned milk, and the fat from the coconut milk gets excited. You can strain the coquito into the bottles if the foam or chunks bother you.

What is the famous drink in San Juan Puerto Rico? ›

If you like piña colada, you should know the famous tropical drink was invented in Puerto Rico! The sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice was born in San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy on the island.

How much should a bottle of coquito cost? ›

It's even developed a bit of a seasonal business boom with several people selling their homemade versions during the holidays. What is this? Recently, I was getting that itch for some coquito and I started asking around what the price for a 750ml bottle of it cost. The going price ranged from $20-$35.

What kind of Bacardi is used in coquito? ›

A cream-based coconut liqueur, Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican Holiday co*cktail. BACARDÍ Coquito is made with BACARDÍ Superior Rum and a mix of vanilla, cinnamon and other festive spices.

Does coquito taste like eggnog? ›

It's spiked with Puerto Rican rum, and flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. Like eggnog, coquito is super rich and creamy, and is usually served only at the holidays. But unlike American 'nog, traditional coquito isn't made with eggs.

What is the old name for eggnog? ›

"While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval" British drink called posset, which was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. In the Middle Ages, posset was used as a cold and flu remedy.

Can coquito get you drunk? ›

Can You Get Drunk Off Coquito? This depends on how much alcohol you add to the coquito mixture. If you're adding just enough for flavor's sake, you might get a little buzzed, but definitely not drunk. However, if you go heavier on the alcohol, such as the entire bottle, then yes, you'll definitely get drunk.

What is coquito taste like? ›

This co*cktail is rich and creamy – tastes like a cinnamon bun. Coquito means “l*ttle coconut” in Spanish and is sometimes considered to be the Puerto Rican eggnog. There are countless variations of coquito as the recipe differs from region to region and family to family.

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