What You Need to Make This Recipe
Coconut milk — this helps thin out the coquito without diluting the flavor. Milk — using sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk provides sweetness and makes the drink creamy and rich. Cream of coconut — this is sweetened, pureed coconut in a can that adds a ton of coconut flavor. Cream of coconut is not the same as coconut milk and coconut cream. Warming spices — you will love the cinnamon and nutmeg’s warm flavor. It gives it the classic seasonal flavor that is perfection in the winter holidays. Use fresh spices whenever possible for the best flavor. Rum — use your favorite rum. I like using Plantation XO as the notes of vanilla, cocoa, and milk chocolate pair well with the warming spices.
How to Make Coquito
To a blender, add all ingredients except for the cinnamon sticks.
Blend on low speed until everything is well combined.
Transfer to a pitcher or jar and chill for at least 6 hours. Shake or stir well before serving.
Serve chilled and garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
Vanilla extract enhances the other flavors of this coquito recipe. Use real vanilla extract instead of artificial, if possible. The longer the drink gets to chill, the more the flavors blend together and taste better. Coquito makes for great gifts. Simply transfer the drink to a mason jar, tie a ribbon around it, and gift it to your friends and family. If the coconut fat solidifies after being chilled, just allow the drink to sit on the counter for a couple of minutes before shaking it to combine. If you want to add additional warming spices to your drink, then ginger, cloves, and star anise are great options.
Can this be made without alcohol?
To make this a kid-friendly holiday drink, skip the rum. The drink will not last as long in the fridge without the rum, but you can still store it for up to 4 days. You can also use rum extract if you want to have the flavor of rum.
How long does this last?
When in an airtight container in the fridge, this coquito drink can last over 3 months thanks to the alcohol. However, this creamy and delicious drink disappears so fast that it may not even last a week in the fridge. The coconut might solidify, but a quick shake will bring it back together. If it smells sour, then it has gone bad.
Can I freeze this?
You can freeze this coquito recipe if you want it to last longer. As there’s rum in this, the drink will not freeze solid. Be sure to use a freezer-safe container. Just add it back to the blender when ready to serve without thawing it first.
What is the difference between this and eggnog?
Both drinks are creamy, rich, alcoholic, and served during the holidays. You can make both drinks with or without eggs. However, you make a coquito with coconut milk, and eggnog is made with milk.
What are some variations I can make?
There are so many ways you can change up coquito. Try adding chocolate, Nutella, strawberries, bananas, or pistachios to the blender. Make it your own with your favorite flavors. If you’ve tried this Coquito recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
