Growing as a Puerto Rican, it officially feels like the Holiday Season when you make your first batch of coquito. And YES! The season is here.
This fabulous Coquito is actually a family recipe made by me! Yeah, that’s right. I started doing it when I was very little, but of course, for me and my sister we had the kid version of it. For the rest of the family it was the same creamy coconut beverage with that kick we all love and want.
As I have found out through the years, many Puerto Ricans have different opinions on Coquito and what its authentic recipe is. Some families add eggs, some don’t. Some like it thinner, some like it thicker. And some even like it with rum raisins. There are infinity ways to make Coquito. Mine is the simplest of all, no eggs, fresh coconut milk and the best Puerto Rican rum. Simple never looked better than this.
My love for making Coquito got me interested on its history, so I did a little search on it and found a couple of interesting things. As you all know, Coquito is a coconut-based alcoholic beverage originally found in Puerto Rico, very similar to the eggnog beverage that can be found in several other countries. There are a few theories about the origin of this drink. First, some people believe is all unknown, that no one knows the person who created it or how the recipe even began. But come on, this is a 5 ingredient recipe, not how Stonehenge was put together. Definitely not the theory I will go for in my life. That’s why there's another theory that caught my attention and is that the Spanish brought their version of eggnog to the Caribbean and as they traveled and settled in other areas, the drink evolved creating different variations around the Caribbean, and in Puerto Rico it was altered by adding coconut elements and local rum creating the so beloved Coquito.
Coquito usually makes its appearance during Christmas season, but that being said, it can be seen as early as Thanksgiving or as late as Día de los Reyes and in some families, like mine, way far more than that. Coquito has become much more popular as more people hear about it, many families have their own style and its recipe is passed down through generations. It's a big deal here in Puerto Rico, where most of us see it as very representative of our culture and we love it. By standard, is a mixed drink made mainly of coconut milk, cream of coconut, sweet condensed milk and some spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. We have many variations from how it is prepared to even many flavor options like Nutella, Pistachio, Pumpkin Spice, Coffee, you name it. They are unique in their own way based on family traditions, but they all have one thing in common, RUM. Personally, my go to choice of rum is Bacardi Gold, it adds an authentic flavor and its notes of vanilla, rich and toasted almonds. It also has a slightly sweet finish when you drink it, goes perfect with my Coquito.
Now, let's talk about how it's made. Depending on your choice of ingredients it can be done either over the stove or in a blender (no heat required). After Coquito is prepared, however you wanna make it, must be chilled, and just like that ready to serve and be enjoyed.
That's our Coquito, I can't go on with the Holidays without my batch of Coquito, it brings me and my family so much joy and very good memories which I cherish everyday. Plus, it tastes amazing, hope you love it as much as I do.
Nicole xoxo
