Coquito season is finally here!!!
Let’s be honest, this is what we’ve been waiting for all year long, and now the moment is finally here! Coquito season!!! However, what if I told you that coquito season could be enjoyed even more by having vegan coquito instead!? I know… skeptical, I understand. I was skeptical too until I tried it, and now I can’t get enough of it.
Ever notice that after a couple of glasses of coquito you kinda start to feel it in your tummy, and not in the “YAY I’m tipsy” kind of way. That’s because the dairy and lactose in a traditional coquito can be very unpleasant on your stomach after a couple of glasses.
So how can we make coquito without having that icky feeling, yet enjoy the same taste of a traditional coquito? Lucky for you I’ve been experimenting, and finally, I have a recipe that is just as delicious and 100% vegan!! Meaning no dairy…meaning you can have a couple more glasses of vegan coquito and still feel good after. BUT I must warn you, this recipe may not taste like it, but it will creep up on you very quickly. So like with any alcoholic beverages, be mindful of your intake. These babies are strong.
Don’t drink alcohol? That’s ok! I have included tips on how to make this vegan coquito alcohol-free!
What is coquito?
Originally from Puerto Rico, coquito is a festive adult drink, that is popular in Latin households during the holiday season. And boy am I grateful to my ancestors for this genius, and iconic drink.
Different versions of coquito can be found all across Latin America and in the Caribbean. It is said that coquito may have been introduced to Puerto Ricans during the colonial period by Spain. However, this has never been proven to be a fact and continues to be just speculation. Puerto Rican coquito will always take the award in my book. Yes, I might be slightly biased, but trust it’s the truth HAHA!
The one thing that all coquitos have in common is that they’re only shared during the navidades. That’s plural for Christmas, because yes Latinos celebrate Christmas for two entire months! In the states, the navidades start on Thanksgiving and end on New Years Day. However, outside of the states, the navidades tend to start at the beginning of November and end after Dia De Reyes in January. Talk about stretching the season huh… Def not complaining! Because coquito is only shared during this period, it truly makes it quite special.
What is different about this coquito!?
Well, for starters It’s vegan!! Meaning zero dairy products are used in this recipe. This vegan coquito is made with mostly coconut products. Because coconut products naturally have high levels of fat (good fat), they will try to solidify in the fridge. Don’t panic, the oat milk and water in this vegan coquito recipe will stop it from completely solidifying. Just give it a good mix/shake before serving, and let it warm up in the glass for about a minute.
Usually, a traditional coquito will not solidify in the fridge. You’ll still have to give the coquito a good shake to combine the ingredients, however, it won’t solidify. That is because the evaporated milk and condensed milk in a traditional coquito do not allow for the coquito to solidify. Making coquito vegan, gave me a challenge, but challenge accepted and solved!
Love coquito!? Check out my recipe for Coquito French Toast
LOve coquito? try these!
I just can’t get enough of coquito, so I experimented and came up with this wonderful recipe: Coquito french toast! Sounds amazing huh? Why stop with just a drink when you can eat it too! Try this coquito recipe with your loved ones and let me know what you think.
For those that simply don’t enjoy alcohol or refrain for religious or health reasons, I have you covered! Leave out the rum, add an extra cup of oat milk, and have the coquito without it. I promise it’ll be just as good. Serve over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick for an equally delicious drink minus the rum. Plus you can share with the little ones, tho you may want to save it all for yourself! It’ll be slightly sweeter, since the rum isn’t present, so I would recommend removing two tablespoons of the caster sugar. I leave this bit optional as some prefer their coquito super sweet.
Quick tips:
You may have noticed that this recipe is for 8 people. That is because coquito is usually made in batches and then shared. Because cans of coconut milk, and condensed milk usually come in large quantities, it’s hard making small batches. However, it can be done. Just cut the recipe in half and save the leftover milk for another recipe. Just keep in mind that leaving anything in a can will go bad. Pour the leftover milk into another container and use by the next day.
OR if you make the full batch of coquito and it’s too much, bottle up the leftovers, add some ribbon and gift to your loved ones for the holidays. Coquito makes a perfect gift for adults with or without alcohol! Handmade gifts are always thoughtful and greatly appreciated. So why not win at Christmas gifting, while saving some money…You’re welcome 🙂
Want to know what goes perfectly with coquito? Latin food!!!
Make a Latin feast with Arroz y habichuelas con coco, some ensalada de papa, and vegan chicharron de Pollo! Then serve with my vegan coquito! And guess what this entire feast is 100% VEGAN!!!
Want to check out some more delicious guilt-free and healthier alternatives check us out on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!
Easy traditional vegan Coquito
Equipment
- Blender
- Jug or storage container
Ingredients
- 400 G Coconut cream
- 420 G Vegan coconut condensed milk
- 400 G Coconut milk
- 3 CUPS Oat milk (most plant-based milk options work, with the exception of soy milk)
- ½ CUP Water
- 2 CUPS Bacardi white rum (16OZ)
- 1 TSP Ground Cinnamon
- 1 TSP Ground cloves
- ½ TSP Nutmeg
- 5 TBS Caster sugar (granulated sugar works well too)
- 1.5 TBS Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon sticks (Garnish)
Instructions
- To the blender add: coconut cream, vegan condensed milk, oat milk, water,rum, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, & caster sugar.
- Blend until fully combined.
- Use the sifter/sieve and pour it into a jug or storage container.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving...And DONE!
- Shake or mix well. Serve over ice garnished with a cinnamon stick and sprinkled cinnamon. Best served cold.
Notes
- Consume within 4 days
- Depending on the size of your blender, you may want to blend in two parts then combine.
- Refrigerate overnight if possible. The longer the flavors have to combine, the better.
- ALWAYS SERVE COLD.
- SHAKE OR MIX WELL BEFORE SERVING.
- This particular coquito will be thick when refrigerated. Thicker than a traditional non-vegan coquito. Because this recipe is mostly made with coconut, it will solidify a bit. Make sure to stir well before serving, then let it sit for a minute.
- Bottle up and give away as gifts!! Everyone loves a gift handmade with love!