Three glasses filled with coquito and topped with cinnamon with a cinnamon stick inside each next to a few extra cinnamon sticks with a white and red towel behind all on a wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog

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Coquito (Puerto Rican Eggnog) is a traditional holiday boozy drink from Puerto Rico that is tropical, creamy, and easy to make!

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A few years ago, when I was working at a doctor’s office in Orlando during the holiday season, one of our providers brought in homemade coquito for everyone to try. Since she was serving it at work, she used only a small amount of alcohol, but it still had that rich coconut flavor and creamy texture that makes this Puerto Rican eggnog so special.

Even though there aren’t any raw egg yolks in this authentic coquito recipe, it’s every bit as rich and satisfying as traditional egg nog. The combination of cream of coconut, full-fat coconut milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk creates a delicious milk mixture that tastes like a tropical holiday dessert in a glass jar.

Our Puerto Rican coquito recipe uses ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks for warm spices, but next time I may add a splash of pure vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg for even more holiday flavor. The drink pairs perfectly with homemade cookies during the Christmas season and is one of our favorite recipes for festive gatherings.

Growing up in South Florida, Christmas often meant warm weather, sunshine, and even swimming after opening presents. This creamy coquito has the perfect tropical feel for celebrating the holidays in the South while still bringing the comforting taste of Puerto Rico to the table.

What Is Coquito?

Coquito, often called Puerto Rican eggnog, is a creamy coconut-based holiday drink traditionally served during the Christmas season in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans have been making bottles of coquito for generations as part of family celebrations and holiday parties.

Unlike classic egg nog recipes that rely on the addition of eggs or raw egg yolks, real coquito gets its silky texture from cream of coconut, coconut cream, and milk products. The result is a smooth, rich drink with bold coconut flavor and warm spices.

Traditional recipes often use Puerto Rican rum such as Don Q Gold, though many people also enjoy using Bacardi, Captain Morgan, or other types of rum including spiced rums and dark rum. Every Puerto Rican family seems to have their own best recipe passed down through generations.

Why You’ll Love This Puerto Rican Coquito Recipe

This delicious recipe is incredibly simple to prepare, making it perfect for first time coquito makers. Everything blends together quickly in a high-speed blender, and the hardest part is waiting long enough for it to chill.

You’ll love this boozy coquito because:

  • It uses simple pantry ingredients found at almost any grocery store
  • The creamy texture comes together in minutes
  • It makes large batches for parties and holiday entertaining
  • You can adjust the amount of rum to your personal taste
  • The warm cinnamon flavor pairs beautifully with the coconut fat and sweetness
  • It stores well in glass bottles or mason jars for gifting

Whether you make it with enough rum for a true holiday cocktail or keep it lighter for casual gatherings, this creamy coquito is always a crowd favorite.

Traditional vs. Modern Coquito

Traditional coquito recipes usually focus on simple ingredients like cream of coconut, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, cinnamon, and Puerto Rican rum. Some older recipes may include the addition of eggs, but most modern versions skip them entirely.

Today, there are many creative twists on this Puerto Rican eggnog recipe. Some people add coffee, pumpkin spice, or chocolate, while others experiment with different types of rum like spiced rums or coconut rum. No matter the variation, the goal is always the same: creating a smooth and festive drink with the unmistakable taste of Puerto Rico.

Tips for the Best Coquito

For the best results, use full-fat coconut milk and quality cream of coconut like Coco Lopez. The higher fat content creates a richer, smoother drink with better texture.

A few helpful tips:

  • If your cream of coconut has been sitting at room temperature for a long time, stir it well before measuring
  • Coconut fat naturally separates when chilled, so shake bottles of coquito before serving
  • Chill the mixture overnight so the flavors fully develop
  • Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest consistency
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container, glass bottles, or a sealed glass jar
  • Serve in shot glasses for parties or larger glasses for sipping

You can also customize the amount of rum depending on how strong you like your boozy drinks. White rum gives a clean flavor, while darker or spiced varieties create a deeper taste.

Variations of Puerto Rican Eggnog

There are plenty of delicious ways to customize coquito while still keeping the traditional coconut flavor everyone loves.

Chocolate Coquito

Add cocoa powder or melted chocolate for a rich dessert-style drink.

Pumpkin Coquito

Blend in pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice for a fall-inspired version.

Coffee Coquito

Add brewed espresso or strong coffee for a bold and flavorful twist.

Non-Alcoholic Coquito

Skip the rum entirely for a family-friendly version during the holiday season.

Vanilla Coquito

A splash of pure vanilla extract adds warmth and sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.

What to Serve with Coquito

This Puerto Rican coquito recipe pairs beautifully with holiday desserts like sugar cookies, brownies, fudge, and bread pudding. It also works well alongside savory holiday meals and appetizers.

Serve chilled in small glasses with extra ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks for garnish. For parties, pouring coquito into decorative glass bottles makes a festive presentation and thoughtful homemade gift.

Puerto Rican Coquito Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 15 oz cream of coconut
  • 13.5 oz full-fat coconut milk
  • 12 oz evaporated milk
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup white rum
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 3 cinnamon sticks

Gather all your ingredients before starting. Most can be found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. Traditional coquito is often made with Puerto Rican rum, but Bacardi, Don Q Gold, Captain Morgan, or other favorite types of rum also work well.

Ingredients ready for coquito: cans of cream of coconut, coconut milk, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk with a bottle of ground cinnamon in front of a glass bottle of rum and a blender all on a wooden surface

Preparation

Pour all ingredients except the cinnamon sticks into a blender. The cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk are very thick, so you may need a spoon to scoop everything out completely.

If your kitchen is cool, the coconut fat in the cream of coconut may start to solidify slightly. That’s completely normal and will blend smoothly once mixed.

Coquito ingredients poured into a blender on a wooden surface

Note: If you have a smaller blender, work in batches using half of each ingredient at a time. A high-speed blender makes this process especially easy and creates the smoothest creamy coquito texture.

Blend everything together until fully smooth and combined.

Coquito being blended in a blender sitting on a wooden surface

Add cinnamon sticks to the mixture and refrigerate for at least 4-5 hours or overnight. The longer it chills, the better the flavor becomes.

Before serving, shake or stir well since natural separation can occur. Serve chilled with extra ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick if desired.

Three glasses filled with coquito and topped with cinnamon with a cinnamon stick inside each next to a few extra cinnamon sticks with a white and red towel behind all on a wooden surface (vertical)

Coquito Leftovers

Store leftover coquito in an airtight container, sealed glass jar, or glass bottles in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Stir or shake well before serving since the coconut cream may naturally separate over time.

Many people like portioning coquito into smaller bottles of coquito for easy gifting during the Christmas season.

Recipe

Originally Published On: November 14, 2017

Last Updated On: May 24, 2026

Three glasses filled with coquito and topped with cinnamon with a cinnamon stick inside each next to a few extra cinnamon sticks with a white and red towel behind all on a wooden surface

Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog

Coquito (Puerto Rican Eggnog) is a traditional holiday drink from Puerto Rico that is tropical, creamy, and easy to make!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
Puerto Rican
Keyword:
alcoholic
|
coconut
Servings: 7 cups
5 from 5 votes

Ingredients

  • 15 oz cream of coconut
  • 13.5 oz coconut milk
  • 12 oz evaporated milk
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup white rum
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 3 cinnamon sticks

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients except cinnamon sticks to a blender
  • Blend until everything is combined and the mixture is creamy
  • Add cinnamon sticks to the eggnog
  • Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight
  • Serve your eggnog cool and garnish with cinnamon, nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick
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Nutrition Facts
Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 664 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 24g120%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 161mg7%
Potassium 484mg14%
Carbohydrates 81g27%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 76g84%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 270IU5%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 324mg32%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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33 thoughts on “Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog”

  2. Joshua

    Ok pure creaminess and looks absolutely delicious. I love eggnog during the holiday season. Reminds me of festive gatherings at grandmas house.

    Reply
  5. Nicole Gilbert

    5 stars
    Coquito is one of the absolute best parts of Christmas!! My family starts making it for Thanksgiving and all the way through the new year. You can find some stored in a milk jug in every puerto rican’s fridge around this time of year!

    Reply
  9. Christa

    I’ve never had this and now I really can’t wait to try it! I live in a warm climate, too. This is a great way to be festive!

    Reply
  11. Jack branson

    This is great, we might consider it for Christmas dinner. Plus, I havent tried before which makes it interesting for me. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  16. Charline

    I am food lover and this blog is absolutely amazing! the Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog is on cards this weekend. Nice meeting you STEPHANIE LYNCH. The chocolate chip cookies is next in the list. Keep them coming every week. Thanks so much for sharing this with me!!

    Reply
  17. Marysa

    This sounds really good! I love sweetened condensed milk, and this certainly would be a great holiday drink. I’ll have to grab some rum so I can make this.

    Reply

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