Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Recipe

Tropical Bliss: Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Recipe

Sweet dreams come alive with puerto rican chocolate coquito that dances between creamy indulgence and festive nostalgia.

Coconut milk and rich cocoa blend into a magical Caribbean elixir perfect for holiday celebrations.

Rum adds a spirited kick to this traditional island beverage.

Velvety smooth textures mingle with deep chocolate notes that transport you straight to san juan’s vibrant streets.

Family recipes passed through generations inspire this decadent drink that warms hearts and sparks memories.

Tropical ingredients combine in a symphony of flavor that promises pure comfort.

You will want to savor every luxurious sip of this irresistible chocolate-infused classic.

Why Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Is a Treat

  • Savor Festive Flavors: Indulge in a rich, creamy Puerto Rican chocolate coquito that brings the warmth of holiday traditions to your glass.
  • Blend with Ease: Create this decadent drink using a simple blender method that requires minimal cooking skills and just a few quick steps.
  • Customize Your Celebration: Personalize the coquito with optional garnishes like whipped cream, grated chocolate, or a cinnamon stick to match your mood and style.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this delightful beverage in advance and store in the refrigerator, making party prep and entertaining a breeze.

Ingredients for Chocolate Coquito at Home

For the Base:
  • Chocolate Chips: A rich and smooth chocolate that provides a deep, indulgent flavor to the coquito.
For the Milks:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk, Cream of Coconut, Coconut Milk: These creamy ingredients create a luscious, velvety texture and provide a sweet, tropical foundation for the drink.
For the Spices and Flavors:
  • Ground Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, Nutmeg, Salt: These warm spices and aromatic extracts add depth, complexity, and a festive touch to the traditional Puerto Rican beverage.
For Optional Garnishes:
  • Whipped Cream, Grated Chocolate, Chocolate Syrup, Cinnamon Stick: These decorative elements enhance the visual appeal and add extra layers of flavor and texture to the coquito.

How to Make Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito

Step 1: Prepare Chocolate Base

Unwrap chocolate chips and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to prevent burning.

Allow the melted chocolate to cool down slightly while you prepare other ingredients.

Step 2: Create Creamy Liquid Mixture

Grab a blender and add the following ingredients:
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Evaporated milk
  • Cream of coconut
  • Coconut milk
  • Cooled melted chocolate

Blend these ingredients on high speed until the mixture becomes completely smooth and silky, with no visible chocolate chunks.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Profile

Add the following spices and flavor enhancers to the blender:
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Vanilla extract
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Pulse the blender several times to incorporate these ingredients thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution of spices throughout the liquid.

Step 4: Chill and Develop Flavors

Pour the chocolate coquito into a clean glass bottle or airtight container.

Place the container in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 2 hours. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex taste experience.

Step 5: Serve With Festive Flair

Before serving, give the coquito a good shake or stir to recombine any settled ingredients. Pour into small glasses and garnish with:
  • Whipped cream
  • Grated chocolate
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Cinnamon stick

Enjoy your decadent Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito chilled as a delightful holiday or special occasion beverage.

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Chocolate Coquito

  • Experiment with dark or milk chocolate for varying flavor intensities and richness in your coquito.
  • Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for an ultra-smooth, silky texture that glides perfectly.
  • Store the chocolate coquito in sealed glass bottles to maintain freshness and enhance flavor development over time.
  • Freeze extra batches in ice cube trays for convenient single-serving cocktail additions or dessert ingredients.
  • Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing ground cinnamon and nutmeg according to personal taste preferences.

Flavored Variations of Chocolate Coquito

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk with coconut condensed milk and coconut cream for a fully dairy-free version.
  • Vegan Chocolate Coquito: Use dairy-free chocolate chips, coconut milk alternatives, and plant-based condensed milk to create a completely vegan rendition.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with a sugar-free version or use monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content.
  • Spicy Chocolate Kick: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a warming, spicy chocolate variation that enhances the traditional recipe's flavor profile.

What to Serve with Chocolate Coquito

  • Elevate Chocolate Coquito Pairing
  • Complement the rich, creamy chocolate coquito with roasted almonds or dark chocolate truffles for a luxurious dessert experience.
  • Enhance Beverage Match
  • Pair with a robust espresso or aged rum to highlight the drink's deep chocolate and spice notes, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
  • Surprising Flavor Contrast
  • Serve alongside spicy Mexican wedding cookies or cinnamon-dusted churros to add a delightful textural and taste dimension to the coquito experience.
  • Festive Garnish Adventure
  • Top with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes or crushed candied pecans to introduce a crunchy element that elevates the drink's creamy texture.

How to Store Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito

Store in an airtight glass container for up to 2 weeks. Keep chilled at 40°F or below to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

Pour into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before consuming.

Always stir or shake vigorously after storing, as natural separation might occur during refrigeration. This helps restore the original creamy texture.

Warm slightly in a microwave at 50% power in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Avoid overheating to prevent ingredient separation.

FAQs

  • What is coquito?

A traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink similar to eggnog, made with creamy coconut and rum, typically enjoyed during Christmas season.

  • Is this recipe alcoholic or non-alcoholic?

The recipe provided is non-alcoholic, but you can easily add rum when serving if desired for an adult version.

  • Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Substitute the sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk with dairy-free alternatives like coconut condensed milk to create a dairy-free version.

  • How long can I store homemade chocolate coquito?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this drink will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

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Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Recipe

Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
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Description

Indulgent Puerto Rican Chocolate Coquito weaves rich cocoa magic through creamy coconut traditions, creating a festive holiday cocktail that whispers island comfort. Chocolate lovers will savor this silky spirited drink that connects cultural sweetness with spirited celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Alcoholic Ingredient:

  • 1 cup white rum

Dairy and Milk Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 ounces / 396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces / 340 grams) evaporated milk

Coconut and Chocolate Ingredients:

  • 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) cream of coconut
  • 1 can (13.5 ounces / 383 grams) coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Spice and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 pinch of salt

Optional Garnish:

  • Whipped cream
  • Grated chocolate or chocolate syrup
  • Cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. Gently melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler until completely smooth, allowing slight cooling afterward.
  2. Pour sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, and slightly cooled melted chocolate into a blender.
  3. Pulse the mixture until achieving a silky, uniform consistency with no visible chocolate chunks.
  4. Incorporate ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and a delicate pinch of salt into the blender.
  5. Blend thoroughly to ensure all spices are evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
  6. Transfer the creamy mixture into a sealed glass container, ensuring no spillage.
  7. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the drink to reach a refreshingly chilled temperature.
  8. Before serving, vigorously stir or shake the container to reincorporate any settled ingredients.
  9. Optional: Enhance presentation by topping with a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkled grated chocolate, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, or a decorative cinnamon stick.
  10. Serve immediately in chilled glasses for optimal enjoyment of this Puerto Rican festive beverage.

Notes

  • Choose high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a richer, more intense flavor profile that complements the creamy coconut base.
  • Swap dairy milks with coconut cream, almond milk, and dairy-free condensed milk alternatives to create a vegan-friendly version.
  • Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or star anise to elevate the depth and complexity of the coquito’s flavor.
  • Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks in a sealed glass bottle, allowing flavors to meld and intensify over time. Shake well before serving to restore smooth consistency.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 267 kcal
  • Sugar: 33 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

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Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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