Vegan Coquito

Coquito, sometimes known as “Puerto Rican Eggnog,” is a tasty, thick coconut beverage ideal for the holidays. This dairy-free vegan Coquito has all of the typical flavors and texture. Just how similar is this to the standard version? You’ll be amazed!

The holiday season has arrived! Did you know Puerto Rico offers the world’s longest Christmas? It begins on November 1st and concludes in mid-January. In the holidays, families and friends get together to spend time with each other, eat a lot of good food, and drink some holiday drinks. Most people think of egg nog when they think of holiday drinks.

You will also love these holiday drinks,  Jamaican Sorrel Drink, Vegan Irish Moss (Sea Moss Drink, and Soursop Juice. 

So, of course, I opted to kick off the season with Vegan Coquito [pronounced “Koh-kee-toh”]. Coquito is a must-have for our vacation! However, if you’re not Puerto Rican, you’re probably asking what coquito is. This eggnog-like alcoholic beverage made from coconut, milk, and sugar is popular in Puerto Rico during the Christmas season. Every Puerto Rican has been drinking this since they were born, lol.

I decided to do an alcohol-free coquito which was a huge hit. The combination of coconut creaminess, and cinnamon warmth. It is, without a doubt, the ideal combination. I’d been wondering where this wonderful beverage had been throughout my life! But when I went vegan, I feared I wouldn’t be able to participate in this holiday tradition because the components didn’t appear to be vegan. I was completely mistaken. Easy Vegan Coquito is the culmination of a three-year journey to find a vegan version of Coquito.

This Vegan Coquito drink is incredibly simple to prepare. Simply combine all ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth, and then chill for at least one hour before serving. The most difficult component of cooking the meal will most likely be getting the ingredients from the supermarket. The Coquito is creamy, coco-nutty, and comforting because of the coconut components, spices, and condensed milk. If you like Coquito, I assure you,  you won’t know the difference between mine and non-vegan coquito.

Because Coquito is so rich and concentrated, it’s normally offered in small glasses to be sipped, but I couldn’t do it. Sipping slowly is impossible!

What Is A Coquito?

Coquito, which translates to “small coconut,” is a Puerto Rican beverage. Coquito has a thick and creamy texture comparable to eggnog, while some people prefer it thinner and may add more milk or rum to thin it out. It’s usually served cold with cinnamon sticks on top.

Traditionally, the drink is made with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and other coconut ingredients such as cream of coconut and white rum to make it sweet.

Of course, there are variations on this. People say Coquito doesn’t have eggs, but some add egg yolks to make it taste more like custard. Occasionally, rum raisins are added to the mix. Dark rum is preferred over white rum.

We’ll obviously need to exclude the dairy-based ingredients for a vegan coquito (and we won’t be using egg anyway, because most traditional versions don’t). The nice thing is that there are so many dairy-free replacements on the marketplace that making a homemade dairy-free coquito is really simple!

How to make Vegan Coquito?

Here are the ingredients you need to make vegan Coquito. My assistant who is of Puerto Rican descent said my version tasted better than traditional with coconut milk. For me it was a little too sweet, so I added the optional almond milk and actually added more almond milk than is in the recipe. My reasoning for this is that the traditional version would be diluted with rum.

Ingredients

• 1 (11 oz.) can sweeten condensed milk
• 1 (14 oz.) can coconut cream
• 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions

1. Add ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.
2. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Serving Ideas

• In small glasses, serve. Line up shot glasses on your bar if you’re serving Coquito.
• Add ice if you want to use larger glasses. This will ensure that it remains perfectly cold while your guests mingle.
• It’s also a fantastic present. Decorate the jars first, then fill them with a delicious coquito recipe as a gift for loved ones!
• Serving it in smaller bottles makes it a great gift for your loved ones.

What Goes Well With Coquito?

Basically, anything you want! Coquito, like eggnog, goes well with dessert because it’s so sweet. Everyone, especially children, may enjoy ice cream and other delicious sweets, while adults can also take pleasure in those things along Coquito!

Here are some other suggestions. Homemade Coconut Ice Cream, grilled pineapple slices, or even dairy-free Pastelon.

What Should I Do With Leftover Coquito?

Coquito should be kept refrigerated in an airtight container. Don’t put it in the freezer!

Storage: Because this recipe does not contain eggs, your Coquito can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. But, be warned, ours always vanishes much sooner!

Note: Coquito should have a sweet cinnamon aroma and taste great! It’s time to say goodbye to your Coquito if it tastes or smells like it has gone bad. When it starts to smell sour, toss it.

Recipe Note

• If your blender can’t handle more than approximately six cups of liquid, combine everything in a big pitcher or basin and blend in batches.
• After chilling, the Coquito will thicken. If it’s too thick, re-blend with extra milk before serving, or add a small amount of milk to each individual serving.
• Prepare this drink at least a day in advance. The longer you leave it in the fridge, the better the consistency will be, and it will also assist in blending the tastes.
• Start experimenting with different tastes when you’ve mastered the traditional Coquito. Pistachios (my personal favorite), hazelnuts, red velvet, chocolate, strawberries… Think outside the box.
• Because coconut cream is fairly sweet, you can increase or decrease the amount of condensed milk according to your sweet taste buds; or, you can skip it entirely.

 Take time to sit, dine, and enjoy life with one another. And try this Coquito recipe. It is dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free. Also, don’t forget to share your feedback in the comment section below!

Other Puerto Rican Recipes

1. Adobo Seasoning Recipe
2. Air Fryer Tostones

Other Drinks To Prepare

1. Ginger Turmeric Shot
2. Orange Lemonade
3. Raspberry Lemonade
4. Cherry Lemonade
5. Blueberry Lemonade 

If you enjoyed this post about Vegan Coquito and would love to see more, join me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!