Puerto Rican coquito is the holiday drink of choice in the Latin community. Coquito is a creamy, coconut, and spice adult beverage made with Puerto Rican rum.
For many Puerto Rican families, making Coquito is a cherished tradition passed down through generations. Today, I’m sharing my classic Coquito recipe, just like my mom used to make so that you can bring a taste of Puerto Rico to your holiday celebrations.
The Secret Ingredient
I have a confession to share.
The secret behind a fantastic coquito is the spiced tea for coquito. This tea, which can be made in advance, is ready in about 10 minutes!
Do not skip this process if you want an authentic Puerto Rican coquito that's full of flavor.
Adding this special spiced tea for coquito, which is infused with star anise, anise seeds, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and more will add a warm and earthy aromatic flavor that balances the rich coconut flavors in coquito.
Coquito Ingredients
This coquito is how my mom makes it, not my abuela. My 99-year-old abuela has access to coconuts from a tree in Puerto Rico; I don't. Use what you have access to!
Here are the ingredients you will need:
- Coconut Milk: Fresh or canned, use what's available to you.
- Cream of Coconut: We Puerto Rican's love to use Coco Lopez. It's delicious.
- Condensed Milk: If you're sensitive to sweetness, you can start with a quarter or half a can and add more, if desired.
- Evaporated Milk: Here's a way to make homemade evaporated milk, you can even use dairy-free milk, too!
- Spices: I like to add extra flavor, so I add ground spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the special tea.
- Vanilla Extract: I love vanilla extract, but you can use almond extract, anise extract, etc.
- Salt: A small pinch adds a smoothness to this coquito by balancing the flavors.
- Special Tea: Please add this spiced tea. It helps thin out the thickness of the coconut cream and truly adds a special flavor to your coquito.
- White Rum: I used to only use Bacardi (especially the coconut-flavored rum), but Don Q wins the choice of the Boricua's.
- Spiced Rum: Again, choose Don Q for their spiced rum. It adds SO MUCH FLAVOR. Be warned, it's strong!
Variations
This classic coquito recipe is what we grew up with, but remember, you can always change things to create new coquito flavors!
At the base of a coquito drink is coconut and rum. Outside of this, you have creative freedom. Here are some ideas for creating new coquito flavors:
- Pumpkin Coquito: Add pumpkin spice or pumpkin pie puree. Even pumpkin caramel coquito can be a hit!
- Gingerbread Coquito: Add finely crushed gingerbread cookies to your mixture.
- Liquors: Add a splash of unique holiday liquors or flavored liquors. (A splash of fireball may go well with its cinnamon profile.)
- Extracts: Sometimes, a simple extract can make a difference! Instead of vanilla, use almond extract, or your favorite one. (For a virgin coquito recipe, you can use rum extract to stay close to a true coquito flavor.)
Here are some variations I've created:
More Holiday Recipes To Enjoy
Recipe
Puerto Rican Coquito with Spiced Tea
Equipment
- 1 blender You can use a large bowl and a whisk if preferred.
- 1 stove For the tea.
- 1 pot For the tea.
- 1 bowl and whisk for the excess for making in batches
- 1 pitcher Or bottles to store in refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 13 oz coconut cream
- 13 oz coconut milk
- 24 oz evaporated milk
- 1 14 oz condensed milk
- 1 cup coquito tea optional
- Pinch salt
- ¾ teaspoon cloves ground
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ground
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 cup rum
- ¼-1/2 cup spiced rum optional, but it adds a nice flavor
Instructions
- Prepare the Tea: First, make the tea -the recipe link in the notes and the main blog post.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large blender, combine all the ingredients except for the rum. If your blender is small, work in batches. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste the mixture and adjust the spices, if needed, to suit your preference.
- Incorporate the Rum: Gradually add the rum while whisking, then taste and adjust the amount to achieve your desired strength.
Mari says
Can't wait to try it! Sounds delish!!
Sharon says
Thanks for sharing. I also think my grandmother added eggs, have you ever heard anyone doing that?
Neyssa says
Yes! My mother adds about 3-4 eggs to hers. It tastes amazing, but at that point, it's more of an eggnog. A really tasty coconut eggnog. Just be sure to consume it fairly quickly.
Kaya says
How much does this,recipe makes?
Latina Mom Meals says
I'd say enough to fill up a 2 liter bottle, with about an extra cup after (chefs treat).
Jeb says
Yrs, we add a few and then best up the mixture a little and we also add a little organic shredded toasted coconut. Gives it a nice crunch.
Martha says
I made this last night and it came out perfect! Thank you! It is delicious! Never thought I could make this!
Neyssa says
I'm so glad it came out great for you. You'd be surprised at how easy some things are to make that seem complicated. Remember, this is one of those things you can make your own. 🙂 Thank you and be sure to come again!
Courtney says
Hello, I am completely unfamiliar with anise star and was curious as to whether I add the actual stars to the blender and combine with all other ingredients, or do I throw them out and just use the water they boiled in. Thanks so much!!
Latina Mom Meals says
Hi Courtney! Sorry about that. Yes, throw them out and just use the water they're boiled with. 🙂
Vee says
I would like to add eggs... can you recommend how many? Also I see some people only add the yolks, which option is better? Thanks!!
Latina Mom Meals says
My mom suggests 3 eggs, either whole or yolk. Using only yolk gives a richer taste. 🙂
Coolrumbera says
Omg. I’m excited to try and make this for thanksgiving!! Soy mexicana but a co-worker used to make it every year around Christmas time and I loved it since the first time I tasted it. Thanks for the recipe.
Shirley says
Hey I tried to make coquito on my own but it came out a bit to thin for my liking how do I thicken it up?
Latina Mom Meals says
Hmm... Add 1-2 egg yolks? I also find that letting it sit in the fridge for a few hours helps it thicken as well. 🙂
Sheri says
My latino friends always bring the coquito but now i can make it for myself!! The way you rimmed the glasses was beautiful...what did you do to create that?
Latina Mom Meals says
Yay! Now you can make it, woot woot! I rimmed this one with lemon juice on the edge, and then take sugar that's been poured onto a plate, flip your cup upside down and dip the edges into the sugar. Then you fill up your cup with coquito. 🙂
Donna Moreno says
Can you please tell me if there is a difference with sweetened condensed milk and condensed . I am finding it difficult to find the unsweetened kind. Thanking you in advance.
Latina Mom Meals says
Hi Donna, nope they are the same. I don't think there's an unsweetened one. 🙂 If you're worried about the sugar, perhaps use less, or not use it all all and add in stevia?
Christy says
Do I use whole gloves or ground cloves?
Latina Mom Meals says
Hi Christy, ground cloves. 🙂
Caroline Sukhu says
Hi if I dont wany to add liquor, how much more water should I add if increase is needed... thanks
Neyssa says
Hi Caroline, if you don't want to add liquor, just leave recipe alone. No extra water needed. Thanks for the question!
Isa says
How long is this good for, if refrigerated? Thanks!
Neyssa says
Alcohol makes the shelf life of refrigerated coquito last up to two months!
Keiba says
Hi , can i make this without coconut cream?
Neyssa says
You can use coconut milk, but cream is best for it's thickness.
Gina says
Hi! I tried making this, but I have lumps in mine. Any suggestions?
Neyssa says
Run it through the blender, until it is smooth.
Alysia says
Soooo good. I free handed the nutmeg and cinnamon because I like a lot personally but everything was amazing
Eli says
I searched online and I liked this recipe very! I made it and it’s too good! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe with us people of the world😃 cheers!
Drea says
My husband is Puerto Rican and we've been together almost 13 years and I have never made this for him. His family has always made it, but I can't wait to make it for him this Christmas!!