Holidays are a time for family, friends, food, but also drinks. One of the most famous drinks invading households this holiday season is Coquito! Although this popular holiday beverage is labeled as “Spanish Eggnog” by some, the drink in question actually has no egg in it at all!
But what is Coquito anyway and how did making it as part of the holiday traditions get started?
The literal translation of coquito means “little coconut” resulting from coconut being the main ingredient of it. Coquito is not to be confused with your usual glass full drink of choice. Rather this is a toasting beverage. Traditionally this is a drink used during a toast for good will during a family gathering. In this setting the drink is served in smaller portions accompanied with laughter and cheer.
Origins of the drink are traced back to the early 1900s where it was recorded in two cookbooks named Cocine a Gusto and The Puerto Rican Cookbook, published between 1950 and 1970. It is thought that the recipe of the sweet drink is the result of Spanish colonization influences to the Caribbean colonies with it possibly having a start in Europe but this drink’s history is lost to the sea.
Lucky traditional recipes of coquito have stayed alive from being passed down from generation to generation. Familial recipes as a result have become a well-guarded secret. Each family recipe can vary from the amount of ingredients to the addition of extra flavors like vanilla, nutmeg, & cinnamon to name a few. However, traditional Coquito is made with a base of cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk.
Don’t have a secret recipe to follow Todo Wafi Team has got you covered:
My Dominican Kitchen: My Dominican Kitchen Coquito Recipe
