Coquito is the typical Christmas drink of Puerto Rico. It is similar to the american eggnog but can be made with or without eggs and with rum instead of cognac.
Recipe for Eggless Coquito
- 1 can 12oz. evaporated milk
- 1 can 14oz. sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can 15oz. cream of coconut (Coco Lopez is best)
- 1 cup white rum
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Recipe for Coquito - With eggs
The recipe is the same as above but add:
- 2 egg yolks
Mix the egg yolks with the evaporated milk and gently heat in a double boiler until it thickens. Add then to the other ingredients and continue as with eggless recipe. Adding eggs makes the drink heavier, similar to eggnog.
Directions
- Add all ingredients in a blender and mix well. The cream of coconut should dissolve. Sprinkle with some cinnamon powder or nutmeg.
- Coquito must be kept refrigerated until served. Serve as a cocktail in a small liquor glass.
Coquito and Parrandas
A typical Christmas tradition in Puerto Rico is the "parranda". A parranda consists of a group of friends that gather together late at night with musical instruments and awaken other friends at their houses while singing typical latin Christmas songs. If you receive a parranda you are supposed to open the door to your guests and greet them with drinks and some food. Having a bottle of coquito in your fridge is therefore a must during this season.
Coquito and Turron
Coquito can be served with turron-spanish nougat with almonds. Spanish turron might be hard to find in most US supermarkets but latin or spanish food stores will definetly have it. In Spain turron is mostly eaten only during the Christmas season. There are many different types of turron but the almond nougat and the chocolate with almonds are the most common. Turron is sold in small boxes, wrapped as a candy bar.
Coquito as a Gift
Coquito can be poured into glass bottles (wine bottles) and given as a gift to the host/hostess of a party. The bottle can be decorated with a Cristmas tree or poinsetta painted using glass paints or wrapped in pretty Christmas paper and tied with a ribbon. Just remember to keep it cold.
This Christmas season surprise your friends with something different by making some coquito. The recipe is fairly simple and a bottle of coquito will keep well refrigerated for up to three weeks, at least.
Now the only thing left is a roasted pig, pasteles, and spanish rice with pigeon peas to make this a complete caribbean Christmas feast. Feliz Navidad!
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