Puerto Rican Coquito is an authentic Puerto Rican rum and coconut drink that’s blended for a rich, creamy, and delicious treat. Made with ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, and evaporated milk, it has the perfect coconut flavor that feels like a sweet celebration of Puerto Rico. Coquito means little coconut in Spanish, and it’s often called Puerto Rican eggnog because of its festive, creamy richness. Traditionally served chilled, coquito is a must during the holiday season, especially when prepared ahead and bottled for easy sharing. If you’re excited to get started, you can jump to recipe below to experience this incredible holiday drink for yourself.

My grandmother and mother used to prepare Rican Coquito during Christmas when I was growing up, filling the kitchen with the scent of cinnamon stick and coconut. The tradition has stayed with me ever since. Whether you use Puerto Rican rum, white rum, or swap in a little rum extract if you prefer not to drink alcohol, every batch is a celebration of family and flavor. Carefully choosing the right type of rum and using real Puerto Rican coconut ingredients makes all the difference—and now, I love keeping the tradition alive with a few chilled bottles ready for family gatherings.

Coquito Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Additional Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 10
• Yield: 5 cups

Ingredients for Authentic Puerto Rican Coquito

This authentic Puerto Rican coquito recipe is smooth, creamy, and packed with delicious coconut flavor. Perfect for celebrating the holiday season or preparing beautiful coquito bottles to share!

• ½ cup water
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup dark rum (or use Puerto Rican rum or white rum; substitute rum extract if you don’t drink alcohol)
• 2 (15-ounce) cans coconut milk (for a richer flavor, you can replace one can with Coco Lopez cream of coconut)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or add a full cinnamon stick while chilling for deeper spice)
• 1 pinch salt
• Optional: Add a splash of evaporated milk for an even creamier texture

This traditional Puerto Rican coconut drink, also called Puerto Rican eggnog, is blended and served chilled, bringing the taste of Puerto Rico straight to your holiday table. Whether you’re ready to jump to recipe or planning ahead for a festive gathering, coquito means little coconut in Spanish—and every sip feels like a sweet holiday celebration!

How to Make Authentic Puerto Rican Coquito

• Gather all ingredients: Have your sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez or coconut milk, dark rum (or Puerto Rican rum), water, ground cinnamon, and salt ready to go. For a creamier rican coquito, you can also add a little evaporated milk.

• Blend the liquids: Pour the water, sweetened condensed milk, rum (or rum extract if you don’t drink alcohol), and coconut milk into a blender. Using authentic ingredients gives the best coconut flavor, just like traditional Puerto Rican coconut recipes from Puerto Rico.
• Add spices: Sprinkle in ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt. If you want deeper spice, you can add a cinnamon stick to the mixture before chilling.

• Blend and chill: Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour the coquito into bottles and refrigerate for at least one hour, or until served chilled. This rich, creamy holiday drink captures the heart of the holiday season.
• Enjoy: Shake the bottle gently before serving. This festive Puerto Rican eggnog is full of sweet coconut flavor and perfect for any holiday gathering. For quick access, you can always jump to recipe to start blending your perfect batch of coquito, because after all, coquito means little coconut in Spanish!

How to Serve Coquito

Coquito is best served chilled to highlight its creamy, tropical coconut flavor. After blending your authentic Puerto Rican coquito made with sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, evaporated milk, and coconut milk, refrigerate it for at least a few hours before serving. Chilling the drink not only enhances the texture but also lets the flavors of the Puerto Rican coconut and rum blend beautifully.

When ready to enjoy, gently shake the bottle to mix any layers that have separated. Pour the rican coquito into small glasses or festive cups. Garnish each glass with a sprinkle of cinnamon or add a fresh cinnamon stick for extra aroma. Whether you’ve prepared it with Puerto Rican rum, white rum, or a splash of rum extract for those who don’t drink alcohol, each sip feels like a celebration of Puerto Rico.

Coquito is often called Puerto Rican eggnog because of its creamy richness, making it a classic holiday drink for any gathering during the holiday season. Whether you like to sip slowly or dive right in after you jump to recipe, remember—coquito means little coconut in Spanish, but it brings a big, festive flavor to your table!

How to Store Coquito

After blending your authentic Puerto Rican coquito, pour it into clean bottles or jars. Since coquito is made with ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, evaporated milk, and coconut milk, it must be kept served chilled at all times. Store your rican coquito in the refrigerator for the best flavor and safety.

Well-stored Puerto Rican coconut coquito can last up to 4–5 days in the fridge. Always shake the bottle gently before serving to re-mix the creamy layers and enjoy that rich coconut flavor in every sip. Some people like to add a fresh cinnamon stick inside the bottle for extra aroma as it chills.

If you’re using rum extract instead of Puerto Rican rum or white rum because you prefer not to drink alcohol, remember that non-alcoholic versions may have a shorter shelf life. Whether you plan to enjoy it as a holiday drink or a quick treat after you jump to recipe, storing it properly ensures your Puerto Rican eggnog stays fresh throughout the holiday season. As the tradition says, coquito means little coconut in Spanish, but one sip will give you a big taste of Puerto Rico!

Tips for the Best Puerto Rican Coquito

• Use Authentic Ingredients: For true authentic Puerto Rican flavor, choose quality brands of sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, and evaporated milk. Real Puerto Rican coconut flavor makes a big difference.
• Balance Your Rum: Whether you prefer Puerto Rican rum, white rum, or even rum extract if you don’t drink alcohol, the type of rum you choose will shape the final flavor. Adjust depending on how strong you want your holiday drink.
• Blend Until Ultra Creamy: Fully blending the rican coquito ingredients gives it that rich, smooth texture that’s perfect for chilling and serving later.
• Chill Thoroughly: Coquito should always be served chilled. After blending, refrigerate it for several hours (or overnight) to let the flavors deepen before pouring into glasses or bottles.
• Add a Cinnamon Stick for Flavor: Placing a cinnamon stick directly in the bottle infuses a warm, spiced aroma as it sits. This simple touch enhances the cozy flavor without overpowering the sweet coconut flavor.
• Shake Before Serving: Always shake your bottle gently before pouring. This ensures the creamy layers are well-mixed and you get the best taste in every sip of this Puerto Rican eggnog.
• Enjoy Throughout the Holiday Season: Coquito is more than just a drink—it’s a tradition from Puerto Rico that’s perfect for sharing at parties, family dinners, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. Don’t hesitate to jump to recipe and create your own batch of this beloved holiday classic!

What Type of Rum Is Best for Coquito?

For the most authentic Puerto Rican flavor, traditional coquito is made with Puerto Rican rum, giving the drink its signature richness. A good-quality white rum is often preferred because it blends smoothly with the creamy base made from sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, and evaporated milk. Some families enjoy a slightly stronger flavor and use a mix of white rum and dark rum, depending on personal taste.

If you don’t drink alcohol, you can easily substitute the rum with rum extract to capture the flavor without adding alcohol. No matter the choice, selecting the right type of rum ensures that your rican coquito has the perfect balance of sweetness and warmth. After blending and chilling, your Puerto Rican coconut coquito will be served chilled and ready for any holiday season gathering.

Whether you stick to classic Puerto Rican rum or try a lighter variation, remember that coquito means little coconut in Spanish—but its festive spirit is anything but small. Sip it like a true Puerto Rican eggnog and enjoy every bit of that irresistible coconut flavor!

Can You Make Coquito Without Alcohol?

Yes, you can easily make an authentic Puerto Rican coquito without alcohol! Instead of using Puerto Rican rum or white rum, simply substitute with rum extract to keep the classic flavor. This version is perfect for those who prefer not to drink alcohol, or for sharing with kids and family members during the holiday season.

The rest of the recipe stays the same—blend sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, evaporated milk, and coconut milk to create that rich, sweet coconut flavor. Whether you’re making a non-alcoholic batch of rican coquito for a party or bottling it up as a holiday drink, the final result is still smooth, festive, and full of Puerto Rican coconut goodness.

Just like the traditional version, the alcohol-free coquito should always be served chilled. It’s a beautiful way to enjoy a taste of Puerto Rico without losing the spirit of this classic Puerto Rican eggnog—because coquito means little coconut in Spanish, and the flavor is always big!

How Long Does Coquito Last in the Fridge?

Authentic Puerto Rican coquito made with sweetened condensed milk, Coco Lopez, and evaporated milk should always be served chilled and stored in airtight bottles. With Puerto Rican rum or white rum, rican coquito can last about 4 to 5 days in the fridge. If you make it with rum extract (no alcohol), it’s better to drink it within 3 days to enjoy the freshest coconut flavor.

Always shake the bottle before serving to mix the creamy layers. Whether you sip this sweet Puerto Rican coconut holiday drink during the holiday season or prepare a few bottles after you jump to recipe, remember—coquito means little coconut in Spanish, and every glass is a taste of Puerto Rico.

FAQs

Can I make Coquito without alcohol?

Yes! You can substitute Puerto Rican rum with rum extract to enjoy the full coconut flavor without adding alcohol. This makes it perfect for all guests during the holiday season.

How long does Coquito last in the fridge?

Homemade rican coquito can last 4 to 5 days when stored in sealed bottles and kept chilled. If made without alcohol, it’s best enjoyed within 3 days for the freshest Puerto Rican coconut taste.

What’s the best way to serve Coquito?

Coquito should be served chilled in small glasses. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for extra festive flavor. It’s a classic holiday drink that brings a sweet taste of Puerto Rico to your table.

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