Coquito () is a traditional Christmas drink that originated in Puerto Rico. The coconut-based alcoholic beverage is similar to eggnog, and is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog. The mixed drink is made with Puerto Rican rum, coconut milk, cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon.
History
Coquito was originally made in Puerto Rico, and drinks similar to coquito are found throughout the Caribbean. The drink was inspired by British and American eggnogs, but the Spanish made their own version of eggnog and combined it with coconut milk and local rum, creating coquito. Although milk and sugar were its basic ingredients, Puerto Ricans altered it by adding coconut.
The recipe has five main ingredients but is not limited to these:
- Evaporated milk
- Coconut milk
- Coconut cream
- Puerto Rican rum
- Sweetened condensed milk.
Many families have their own variations of the recipe, and these are passed down through generations.
Variations
thumb|right|200px|Coquito in a bottle at a restaurant in Ponce, Puerto Rico, during the Christmas season
There are many variations of coquito, all based on their location and family traditions.