Coquito facts for kids
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
| Type | Mixed drink |
| Served | Strained and Chilled |
| Standard garnish | Cinnamon, Nutmeg |
| Standard drinkware | Irish Coffee mug or shot glass |
| Commonly used ingredients |
May be made with or without egg yolk.
|
| Preparation | Place ingredients into blender and blend until fully mixed. Chill blended drink until cold and serve in shot glasses. Garnish with lightly sprinkled cinnamon or nutmeg. |
Coquito means "Little Coconut" in Spanish. It is a special Christmas drink from Puerto Rico. This creamy drink is made with coconut and a bit of rum. Many people think it is like eggnog, so it is sometimes called "Puerto Rican Eggnog."
Coquito is made with Puerto Rican rum, coconut milk, cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. It is a popular part of holiday celebrations.
Contents
How Coquito Started
Coquito first appeared in Puerto Rico. However, similar drinks are found all over the Caribbean islands. There are two main ideas about how Coquito began.
Some people believe that no one knows who created Coquito or how the recipe started. It might have just developed over time.
Others say that the Spanish brought a type of eggnog to the Caribbean during the time Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. The Spanish mixed their eggnog with local rum. This created the first Coquito. As they traveled, the drink spread. Different places made their own versions. These early versions were often just milk and sugar. But Puerto Rico made it special by adding coconut.
The basic Coquito recipe usually has four main ingredients:
- Coconut milk
- Coconut cream
- Puerto Rican rum
- Sweetened condensed milk
This sweet and strong drink is often served in small glasses after dinner. Some recipes include eggs, and some do not.
Many families have their own secret Coquito recipes. These recipes are passed down from parents to children. You can find Coquito as early as Thanksgiving. It is enjoyed until Three Kings Day in January. But it is most popular during the Christmas season.
Coquito has become much more well-known recently. You can now find pre-made bottles of Coquito in many supermarkets. There are even contests, like "Coquito Masters." This is an annual competition held at the Museo del Barrio in New York City.
Some famous people enjoy Coquito too. Jimmy Fallon has talked about it on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. David Begnaud, a reporter known for covering news in Puerto Rico, even served Coquito to the hosts of CBS This Morning for New Year's Eve.
Different Kinds of Coquito
There are many ways to make Coquito. Recipes can change based on where you are or what a family prefers. Most Coquito recipes include rum. However, some people use other types of alcohol, like the Spanish liquor 43. Some recipes add egg yolks, making it even more like eggnog. This version is sometimes called ponche de coco (coconut punch).
You can also add many other flavors to Coquito. Popular additions include star anise, pistachio milk, oat milk, coffee, nutella, masala chai, cream cheese, banana, and strawberries.
- Coquito de calabaza is a pumpkin-flavored Coquito. It is often made for Thanksgiving. It uses pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin purée.
- Coquito de piña colada mixes Coquito with Puerto Rico's national drink. This version adds pineapple juice, maraschino cherries, lime zest, heavy cream, and bitters to the basic recipe.
In Arecibo, a Coquito made with lemon zest, honey, vanilla, and ginger was once popular. This recipe did not use spices. The honey took the place of sweetened condensed milk.
Some people make Coquito with a very strong type of rum called Pitorro. When made with Pitorro, Coquito is usually served in small shot glasses. It is often topped with cinnamon and nutmeg.
How to Make Coquito
You can make Coquito in two main ways: by cooking it on a stovetop or by blending it.
Cooking the ingredients gently on the stovetop makes the drink thicker. It also helps it stay mixed and last longer. This method often uses eggs. Rum, vanilla, and other flavors are added after the mixture cools down.
Using a blender is a faster way to make Coquito. You just add all the ingredients and ground spices to the blender. This method usually does not use eggs. However, the drink might separate after a few minutes. The coconut fat can also get lumpy.
After making Coquito, it is poured into glass bottles. You can add one or two cinnamon sticks to each bottle.
Coquito needs to chill for a few hours before serving. But it tastes best if you make it two weeks or more in advance. This allows the flavors to mix fully.
Coquito Events
El Museo del Barrio in New York City holds an annual Coquito tasting contest. It is called "Coquito Masters." This event takes place on Three Kings Day in January. The competition first started in 2002 and happens every year.
Other Coquito Drinks
Coquito de guayaba is another holiday drink from Puerto Rico. It is made from guava paste cooked with cream cheese, evaporated milk, condensed milk, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla. Rum is added once it cools. Sometimes, coconut milk, coconut cream, and egg yolks are also added.
See also
In Spanish: Coquito para niños
