Best Coquito Recipe - Puerto Rican Rum Punch (2024)

FAQs

What is the best rum for Puerto Rican coquito? ›

Best Rum For Coquito

Coquito is made with two different types of rum. Barcardi white rum provides a light and balanced flavor and, Captain Morgan provides a delicious nutty, caramel-like flavor.

If you like piña colada, you should know the famous tropical drink was invented in Puerto Rico! The sweet mix of coconut cream, pineapple juice, white rum, and ice was born in San Juan, but the identity of its creator is still an unresolved controversy on the island.

But there's one key Coquito element that remains entirely non-negotiable, according to Holguin. “There is always one important ingredient that must be in Coquito, and that is Puerto Rican rum.”

Coquito is a Puerto Rican beverage made with vanilla, coconut milk, coconut cream, rum and spices that is traditionally served during the December holidays. Coquito means "little coconut" in Spanish, and coconut provides the majority of the drink's flavor and texture.

Inés calls for white rum here—ideally Puerto Rican rum, like Bacardí or Don Q—but you can swap in dark rum for more syrupy, spiced notes (just avoid coconut rum, which has a more artificial coconut flavor). If you have time, soak a few cinnamon sticks in the bottle of rum for a few days to infuse it with woodsy spice.

For authentic coquito, aim for *Puerto Rican* rum like Don Q, Bacardí, Ron del Barrilito, Palo Viejo, etc. *Fun fact, Bacardí is not at all Puerto Rican, but very much commonly used for this recipe. Types of bottles: This recipe makes about 60 ounces (or 1.75 liters) of coquito.

We have to start, of course, with the national drink of Puerto Rico, the piña colada. The origins of this signature drink are hotly debated to this day. Most accounts agree on the fact that the drink was invented in San Juan.

Consider a guanabana juice; also known as soursop, guanabana is both sweet and tangy — much like pineapple. Some palates liken the taste to a strawberry or red apple.

Don Q. Don Q, manufactured by the Serrallés family in the town of Ponce, is the most popular rum in Puerto Rico, but it doesn't have a distillery open to the public. You can, however, visit the Serrallés Castle Museum.

It's because the fat from the coconut is solidifying.

Why did my Coquito harden? ›

Note: the Coquito can be stored in cold conditions (refrigerated at a medium temp) and are best served chilled, but not too cold. The milk will solidify and will need to warm up before serving if the mix gets too cold, so just be aware! Always give a good shake before serving, and garnish with fresh nutmeg.

Rum, vanilla, and other extracts are added after it cools. Adding all ingredients with ground spices to the blender makes a fast alternative with no eggs. This usually results in the drink separating after a few minutes and the fat from the coconut solidifying, causing a chunky coquito with lumps.

A few key signs can identify spoiled Coquito: - Change in Smell: A Coquito that has gone bad may develop an off smell. If it smells sour, yeasty, or just not quite right, it's best to discard it. - Change in Texture: If the Coquito has become lumpy or unusually thick, it may have spoiled.

Every recipe for these holiday drinks, including Puerto Rican coquito, uses some kind of milk in the recipe, from evaporated to condensed. And as soon as any of those cans are opened, the clock starts ticking before bacteria start to grow to unsafe levels, she said.

Coquito (without egg) will last in an airtight container refrigerated for 4-6 months. If some of the coconut fat solidifies let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes and give it a good shake before serving. It is traditionally made with Puerto Rican Rum like Don Q but you can use whatever white rum you prefer.

The top-selling rum on the island is Don Q, a favorite of the locals. It's produced in the Destilería Serrallés in Ponce, and it can be found in a variety of co*cktails all over the island. Here are some of the locals' favorite ways to enjoy Don Q.

Don Q is Puerto Rico's top-selling rum.

A cream-based coconut liqueur, Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican Holiday co*cktail. BACARDÍ Coquito is made with BACARDÍ Superior Rum and a mix of vanilla, cinnamon and other festive spices.