Coquito Recipe With No Eggs (Puerto Rican Christmas Drink) [Video]

Coquito, often referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog, is a creamy, coconut-based holiday drink enjoyed throughout Puerto Rico. This traditional Coquito recipe with no eggs brings all the cozy, tropical flavors of the holidays without the need for raw eggs, making it easy and approachable.

With coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and a hint of white rum, this festive drink is perfect for any Christmas gathering or holiday celebration. Enjoy it chilled, and let the warm spices and coconut blend into a smooth, delicious treat that’s bound to impress.

This recipe skips the cream of coconut, as many other recipes do. But I encourage you to try this recipe, as it is one of the best around.

Delicious Pernil RecipeThis Coquito recipe pairs wonderfully with other Puerto Rican holiday dishes, like Arroz con Leche (Puerto Rican rice pudding) or Tembleque (coconut pudding). It also goes well with savory dishes such as Pernil (roast pork) or Puerto Rican Pasteles for a truly traditional Puerto Rican holiday meal. Serve Coquito as an after-dinner drink, or add it to your dessert spread for a festive, coconut-infused treat.

Watch The Puerto Rican Coquito Tutorial Video:

What is Coquito?

Coquito is a classic Puerto Rican holiday drink that’s creamy, rich, and made with a coconut milk base. The name “Coquito” means “little coconut” in Spanish, which hints at the drink’s main ingredient. Similar to eggnog, Coquito is traditionally made with milk and spices, but it has a distinct tropical twist from the coconut and rum.

While some versions include eggs for a thicker consistency, eggless Coquito recipes are also popular and are often preferred for their simplicity and smooth texture.

This drink is more than a holiday treat; it’s a cherished Puerto Rican tradition. Families gather to make Coquito together, and each family’s recipe may have its own unique touch, whether it’s the amount of rum or a specific spice. Coquito is typically served chilled in small glasses, making it an ideal way to bring the warmth of Puerto Rican flavors into your home for the holiday season.

You might enjoy this post: Instant Pot Eggnog

Ingredients To Make This Coquito Recipe

Making Puerto Rican Coquito with No Eggs requires only a few key ingredients. Each one contributes to the rich, festive flavor that defines Coquito:

• Evaporated Milk – Adds a creamy texture without extra sweetness, balancing the coconut milk for a smooth consistency.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – Provides sweetness and thickens the drink, giving Coquito its signature, velvety texture.
• Coconut Milk – The core of Coquito’s tropical flavor. It’s smooth and rich, bringing the essence of Puerto Rican flavor to this holiday drink.
• White Rum – Traditionally used in Coquito; Puerto Rican brands like Don Q are ideal, but you can adjust the amount or omit it for a non-alcoholic Coquito.
• Vanilla Extract – Adds depth and a bit of warmth to the flavor profile.
• Ground Cinnamon – A key holiday spice, adding warmth and balancing the sweetness.
• Ground Cloves – Contributes a warm, slightly sweet spice that enhances the traditional flavors.
• Ground Nutmeg – Adds a subtle, cozy spice, blending well with the cinnamon and cloves.
• Ground Ginger (Optional) – Some like a hint of ginger for a little extra warmth; add to taste.
• Cinnamon Sticks – Infuses additional flavor when chilled in the drink overnight.

How to Make Puerto Rican Coquito Recipe with No Eggs

Making Coquito without eggs is simple and quick, but it requires time in the refrigerator to let the flavors blend. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Combine evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and coconut milk in a large blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
2. Add the white rum, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger if desired. Blend again to fully incorporate the spices.
3. Pour the Coquito mixture into a glass bottle or jar with a secure lid, and add the cinnamon sticks.
4. Chill the Coquito in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. This lets the flavors meld and the drink thicken to the right consistency.
5. Before serving, shake the bottle well. Pour the Coquito into small glasses and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for extra holiday flair.

Tips For Making the Perfect Coquito Recipe with Coconut Milk

Shake Before Serving: Coquito may separate in the fridge; shake the bottle well before pouring each time.

Choose Quality Rum: Using a high-quality white rum, like Puerto Rican Don Q, enhances the authenticity and flavor.

Adjust the Spices: Customize the cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to your taste. If you prefer a more spiced Coquito, you can add a little more of each spice.

Non-Alcoholic Option: Simply omit the rum to make a kid-friendly version that everyone can enjoy.

Serve Cold: Coquito tastes best when it’s well-chilled, so don’t skip the refrigeration time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Coquito without rum?

Yes, it’s easy to make non-alcoholic Coquito by simply leaving out the rum. You’ll still have the creamy, spiced coconut flavor that makes Coquito so delicious, and it’s a great option for kids or anyone who prefers a non-alcoholic drink.

What rum to use to make Coquito?

Creating a perfect Coquito requires choosing the right rum; several options would work well. Here's a table listing some popular choices, their quantities, and prices:

Rum	Quantity	Average Price
Don Q Gold Rum	1.5 cups	$16 for 750ml
Bacardi Superior White Rum	1.5 cups	$15 for 750ml
Captain Morgan Spiced Rum	1.5 cups	$16 for 750ml
Cruzan Aged Dark Rum	1.5 cups	$14 for 750ml

Please note that prices can vary based on location and vendor. Also, the choice of rum can significantly impact the flavor of the Coquito, so it's worth experimenting with different types to find the one that suits your taste best.

How long does Coquito last in the refrigerator?

Coquito typically lasts up to one week in the fridge. Be sure to store it in a sealed container and shake it well before serving, as it can naturally separate over time.

Is Coquito the same as eggnog?

While Coquito is similar to eggnog, it has a unique coconut base and often skips eggs, as in this eggless Coquito recipe. Traditional eggnog uses milk and cream, but Coquito’s use of coconut milk and warm spices gives it a distinctive tropical flavor that sets it apart.

Can I use cream of coconut instead of coconut milk?

Yes, substituting cream of coconut for coconut milk will make the Coquito richer and sweeter. Cream of coconut has a thicker texture and higher sugar content, so keep in mind that this substitution will make your Coquito a bit more decadent.

Is horchata the same as Coquito?

Although they are both popular Latin American drinks, Horchata and Coquito are not the same, Horchata originated in Valencia, Spain, and is traditionally made from tigernuts, water, and sugar. In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, horchata recipes often use rice instead of tigernuts, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Coquito, on the other hand, hails from Puerto Rico and is a coconut-based drink typically made with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It's often referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog and is most commonly served during Christmas.

While both drinks are creamy and often contain similar spices like cinnamon, their main ingredients and flavor profiles are quite different.

It is a plant-based drink sweetened with sugar and flavored with cinnamon.

What's the difference between eggnog and Coquito?

Eggnog and Coquito are both traditional holiday beverages, but they hail from different cultures and have distinct flavor profiles. Eggnog, a staple of Christmas celebrations in the United States and the United Kingdom, is typically made from milk or cream, sugar, raw eggs, and a spirit like rum, brandy, or bourbon. It has a rich, creamy texture and often includes spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The use of raw eggs gives it a custard-like flavor.

Coquito, on the other hand, is a Puerto Rican drink often referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog. It's usually made with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

Unlike traditional eggnog, Coquito does not always include eggs in its recipe, although some variations do. The key characteristic of Coquito is its prominent coconut flavor, which sets it apart from the dairy-dominant taste of eggnog.

Can you store Coquito in a plastic bottle?

You can. However, it is really best to store it in glass. A whole world of problems can arise from storing food in plastic. You can read more about it here: Pots, Pans, and Plastics: A Shopper’s Guide to Food Safety.

How many calories are in a glass of Coquito?

The calorie count in a glass of Coquito can vary depending on the specific recipe used, but on average, a 4-ounce serving of Coquito can contain around 200 to 250 calories. The drink's high-calorie content is largely due to its use of rich ingredients such as coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and rum. Please note that this is an estimation, and the actual calorie count can be higher or lower depending on the quantities of the ingredients used.

Have you tried making Puerto Rican Coquito? Be sure to rate and review this recipe if you do! This creamy, eggless Coquito recipe is sure to become a holiday favorite. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, it’s an easy, festive drink that brings a taste of Puerto Rican holiday spirit to every gathering!