At the heart of every family tradition is a meaningful experience. -Anonymous
The holidays bring out memories of different traditions and moments spent together with loved ones. Usually, those traditions were made around special meals and family recipes. Growing up in Puerto Rico, my late grandmother used to make a drink called “Coquito”.
Coquito means “Little Coconut” in Spanish. This drink is a traditional Christmas drink originated in Puerto Rico. It is a coconut-based alcoholic beverage similar to eggnog. Some call it Puerto Rican Eggnog. Many do make it with eggs… but even before deciding to have a plant-based diet I preferred this drink without the eggs. And it tastes NOTHING like eggnog to me and to many I have shared the drink with.
If you like coconut and would like to taste a sweet refreshing drink for the holidays, here I am sharing my version of Coquito. I hope you like it. Remember, if you drink DO NOR DRIVE. Safety first.
From our home to yours. Salud!
Coquito
Enjoy this coconut-based drink chilled. Shake bottle before serving. Enjoy!
Main Ingredients
- 1 can Evaporated Milk (- I use Nature's Charm brand (vegan))
- 2 cans Coconut Milk (- Goya or Conchita brand)
- 1 can Cream of Coconut (- I use Coco Lopez brand)
- 1 can Condensed Milk (- I use Nature's Charm brand (vegan))
- 1 tsp Organic Ceylon Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1- 1 1/2 cup Rum (- I use Don Q Rum -Original from Ponce, Puerto Rico)
- 1 serving Aromatic Rum
Aromatic Rum
- 1/2 cup Golden Rum (- I use Bacardi )
- 5 Cloves
- 1 stick Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 Orange for its peel
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Peel orange in wide strips and add to a small pot.
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Set a small pot on the stove.
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Add the rest of the Aromatic Rum ingredients to pot and heat at low temperature for 1-2 minutes. Do not let it boil.
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While you wait for the Aromatic Rum to cool off, add other main ingredients to a blender.
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Add the Aromatic Rum to the blender.
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Mix in the blender for 2-3 minutes at high speed until frothy.
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Pour into empty glass bottles or glass containers.
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Store in refrigerator to chill. Shake and serve.
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Garnish with dusted cinnamon and/or nutmeg if desired.
If preparing a virgin mix of Coquito, be sure not to fill the bottle all the way up and let sit for a few minutes after taking from the refrigerator. Shake well. I remove a small batch before adding alcohol for the kids to have.
In Puerto Rico, you could find glass bottles specifically to serve and share Coquito. You could also buy glass bottles or reuse the rum or empty wine bottles you might have.
Serve on a wine glass or a martini glass for a touch of elegance.
*I only add 1 cup of rum but you could add 1.5 to 2 cups. If you add any alcohol to it and drink, don’t drive.
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