Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Recipe
If you’re craving a festive, indulgent sip that brings a Puerto Rican holiday classic to a whole new level, this Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito is calling your name! Imagine everything you love about creamy coconut coquito, now with a chocolatey twist that’s pure dessert-in-a-glass magic. Rich, smooth, and wildly comforting — it’s the drink that transforms any gathering into a celebration, and it’ll make you the toast of the holiday season. Whether you’re a lifelong coquito lover or tasting this tradition for the first time, get ready for a treat no one can resist!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beautiful thing about Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito is how it relies on just a handful of pantry staples that each add layers of flavor or luscious texture. Here’s what makes this tropical chocolate drink totally irresistible:
- Evaporated Milk: Adds body and a creamy base that balances out the sweetness.
- Coconut Milk: Infuses the drink with subtle coconutty notes and a velvety consistency.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Lends sweetness and satiny texture; no simple syrup needed!
- Cream of Coconut: Delivers that bold, signature coconut flavor – use Coco López for classic results.
- Chocolate Syrup or Melted Chocolate Chips: For chocolate lovers, this is your moment – melted chocolate gives a decadent twist while syrup keeps things super smooth.
- White or Dark Rum: The key for that classic coquito warmth; adjust the amount to your liking or skip for a mocktail.
- Vanilla Extract: Pulls all the sweet flavors together and gives each sip cozy depth.
- Ground Cinnamon: A must-have for holiday spice; just a touch brings the whole drink together.
- Ground Nutmeg: It’s a small ingredient, but it delivers big on holiday aromas!
- Pinch of Salt: Don’t skip this! It intensifies all those sweet, chocolatey, coconutty flavors.
How to Make Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito
Step 1: Blend the Creamy Base
Start by adding evaporated milk, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, chocolate syrup (or melted chocolate), vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to your blender. Hit blend and let it whirl for a full minute. You’re looking for a smooth, completely combined mixture where no single ingredient stands out – it should already smell like holiday heaven!
Step 2: Mix in the Rum
With your creamy mixture ready, pour in the rum and blend again until perfectly mixed. This is where Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito transforms from something delicious into a true party starter. Taste it! Now’s your chance to adjust for sweetness or add a little more rum if you’re feeling festive.
Step 3: Chill Thoroughly
Pour the coquito into clean glass bottles or jars with tightly-fitting lids. Pop them into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, though overnight works best if you can wait. This chilling time helps the flavors marry and thicken the coquito into that silky holiday liqueur consistency everyone dreams about.
Step 4: Shake and Serve
Right before serving, give your coquito a good shake – the thicker bits can settle, and shaking wakes up all those dreamy flavors. Serve cold in small glasses, and don’t be shy with the garnishes for that wow-factor finish.
How to Serve Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito
Garnishes
This is where you can have a little fun! A cinnamon stick perched in each glass or a light dusting of cocoa powder across the top adds elegance and infuses each sip with extra aroma. Thin chocolate shavings, a pinch of grated nutmeg, or even a toasted coconut rim are gorgeous finishing touches that amplify the decadence.
Side Dishes
Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito pairs beautifully with holiday treats like buttery shortbread cookies, coconut macaroons, or slices of pound cake. Go for desserts that aren’t overly sweet on their own, letting the coquito be the star of your dessert table. For a true Puerto Rican vibe, serve alongside traditional treats like tembleque or coconut flan.
Creative Ways to Present
Set up a coquito tasting flight with mini glasses, letting guests compare classic and chocolate versions. Pour into tiny milk bottles with festive ribbons for edible gifts. Or for parties, line small mason jars on a decorated tray for an Instagram-worthy presentation that always gets the crowd talking about your Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito is a wonderful fridge surprise! Keep any extra in tightly sealed glass bottles or jars. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Always give it a good shake before pouring, as natural separation may occur.
Freezing
While you technically can freeze coquito, it’s not always recommended since the creamy base can change texture and separate once thawed. However, if you plan to use it in frozen cocktails or milkshake-style desserts, freezing in ice cube trays can be a fun option. Otherwise, stick to refrigeration for the best texture!
Reheating
Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito is meant to be enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge. No reheating needed – in fact, a frosty glass is part of the magic. Just shake, pour, and sip; the flavors sing best when chilled.
FAQs
Can I make Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito without alcohol?
Absolutely! For a non-alcoholic party version, simply skip the rum. The drink still shines with chocolate-coconut flavor, making it family-friendly and equally festive.
What type Drinks
You can use chocolate syrup for silky-smooth results, or go bold with melted semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra richness. The choice is yours! Just be sure your melted chocolate is cooled before blending.
How long does homemade Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito last?
Kept in the fridge in an airtight bottle or jar, your coquito will stay fresh and safe to drink for up to 5 days. After that, enjoy it as a dessert topping or use up any leftovers in coffee or milkshakes!
Can I double the recipe for a party?
Definitely! This recipe easily scales. If your blender isn’t large enough, blend in batches and mix everything together in a big pitcher before bottling and chilling.
What’s the difference between classic coquito and chocolate coquito?
Classic coquito is a creamy coconut and rum drink, while Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito adds chocolate for a deeper, dessert-like treat. Both are delicious, but the chocolate version feels extra decadent for chocolate lovers!
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you serve Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito, your holiday drink game will never be the same. It’s effortless, luxurious, and guaranteed to make every guest feel like they’re part of your family celebration. Invite everyone to raise a glass—the first sip will say it all!
Print
Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito, a delightful variation of the traditional coquito drink infused with chocolate and warm spices. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Eggnog Base:
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) coconut milk
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup cream of coconut
- 1/2 cup chocolate syrup or melted semi-sweet chocolate chips (cooled)
- 1 cup white or dark rum (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the evaporated milk, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, chocolate syrup or melted chocolate, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Add the Rum: Incorporate the rum into the mixture and blend again.
- Adjust and Chill: Taste and adjust sweetness or rum level if needed. Pour into bottles, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve: Shake well before serving cold in small glasses. Garnish with cinnamon stick or cocoa powder.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the rum.
- Use melted chocolate for a richer texture or chocolate syrup for a smoother finish.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
