Coquito means “Little Coconut” in Spanish, and is a traditional Christmas drink that originated in Puerto Rico. If you like coconut and rum, you’ll love Puerto Rican Coquito! This egg-free creamy coconut-based alcoholic beverage is a staple during the holiday season. We’ve also included a vegan version.
I may be biased, but I truly think that Puerto Ricans are the best at celebrating Christmas, period! Nowhere else is Christmas celebrated like in Borinquen. Puerto Ricans are known for our unforgettable “parrandas or trullas navideñas”. Also called asalto navideño (literally, “Christmas time assault), a parranda is the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. A small group of friends and/or family gathers together to “asaltar” or surprise another friend. Of course, we don’t surprise unsuspecting victims. The parranderos are given plenty of “hints” before hand by the homeowner that he are willing and able to receive a parranda.
Most parranderos play some sort of instrument, either cuatros, tamboriles (tambourines), güiro, maracas, or claves. And of course, lots of singing is absolutely involved. The parranderos arrive at the destination and then very quietly gather by the front door. At a signal, everyone starts playing their instruments and singing. The parrandas usually begin after 10pm in order to surprise and wake the sleeping friend.
The parranderos are invited in and refreshments, music and dance ensue! The party goes on for an hour or two then everyone, including the owners of the house, join the group and head to the next home. The group grows as they offer their parranda at several houses during that night. At the last house, usually around 3 or 4 in the morning, the homeowner offers a traditional chicken and rice stew (asopao de pollo). The party is usually over at dawn.
One of the most important elements of the Puerto Rican holiday season is coquito. You absolutely must have coquito ready at all time during the Navidad! If you like coconut and eggnog, you’ll love Puerto Rican Coquito! Coquito is a thick and creamy coconut drink that mixes silky coconut milk with sweet cream of coconut with warm spices like cinnamon and vanilla, and of course, rum!
Some versions of coquito contain eggs or egg yolks, but I didn’t grow up making it that way, so I don’t include eggs in mine. If your abuelita makes her coquito with eggs, then by all means, go for it! If you’d like to make this non-alcoholic, that’s perfectly fine too. Everyone should experience the magic of Puerto Rican coquito.
Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog) Egg Free & Vegan Version
This rich, authentic coquito recipe is commonly made during Christmas where it is served cold and meant to be shared with family and friends.
Ingredients
Traditional Coquito (Egg Free)
- 1 can full fat coconut milk (13 oz)
- 1 can cream of coconut (15 oz) Coco Lopez or other brand
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz
- 1 can evaporated milk 12 fl oz
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup light or dark rum or more or less, to your taste
Vegan Coquito (Egg & Dairy Free)
- 1 cans full fat coconut milk (13 oz)
- 1 can cream of coconut (15 oz) Coco Lopez or other brand
- 1 ½ cups sweetened condensed coconut milk 11.2 oz. can
- 1 ½ cups evaporated coconut milk 12.2 oz can
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup light or dark rum or more or less, to your taste
Instructions
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In a blender, add evaporated milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, rum (if using), vanilla extract and spices. Blend on high until mixture is well combined, 1-2 minutes.
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Pour coquito mixture into glass bottles; cover. Transfer to refrigerator. Chill for 1-2 hours, or until cold.
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To serve, stir or shake bottle well to combine. Pour coquito into small serving glasses. Garnish with ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks, if desired.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
For even more coconut flavor, use coconut flavored rum!
For a nonalcoholic version, just omit the rum.
19 Responses
This was amazing. Thank you. But after about a day in fridge it got very clumpy. Even after shaking really well before serving. I read it could be the coconut fat settling. Is there any way to prevent this? I’ve never had this happen when others made me coquito. Only when I make it.
It’s the coconut milk solidifying. Adding more rum helps loosen it up.
In order to prevent the clumping, during the mixing process heat up the coconut cream to melt it.
After the heat up you can mix it in to the mixture…
BEST coquito I’ve ever made, let alone drank. So tasty, thank you for this recipe!!
Thank you!
I love eggnog and I just tried a recipe while the best that I could with what I had on hand, that I absolutely loved. Now I’m very excited to try this recipe as well. I’m just curious there was no nutrition guide at the end of this recipe LOL I’m wondering if you have that info? It would be greatly appreciated! ❤️
Hi! We don’t provide nutrition info because it’s not possible to predict what products users will make our recipes with or what tweaks they’ll make. Also, many recipe counters don’t provide enough ingredient options to make accurate calculations. You can plug the recipe into free nutrition calculators that are available on the web. Thanks!
There’s no wrong way to make coquito if you follow the basic recipe.. a fun event is a coquito party..where you prepare several different recipes and decide which is your favorite.. Feliz Navidad!!
Delicious, how long does it last in the fridge?
Up to one week!
I made this with DonQ coconut rum and it’s incredible. I will definitely save the recipe and make it year after year! Thank you for the amazing recipe!
Thank you!
Made it today! Was a hit with the family, used sailor Jerry’s spiced rum! Great recipie! Will definitely make again !
They come in a standard size. Click the ingredient links for more info. Thanks.
I made it with a full cup of Captain Morgan’s spiced rum. Absolutely delicious. *Note – if you have a standard 5 or 6 cup blender, you may have to mix it in a large bowl first and then blend half of smaller portions of the mix in the blender at a time.
thanks Lisa!
You have a picture of the té de especias but you do not include in your recipe.
I don’t make a tea for my coquito.
Great flavor!