Often described as the Puerto Rican version of eggnog, it shows up mid-November and finds its way to the table at holiday parties throughout December and January.
While most Puerto Ricans have been indulging in their homemade variations of coquito since around Thanksgiving, the season for this tropical boozy nog is still in full swing, shared among friends and family all the way through Día de los Reyes (Three Kings' Day) and the island's January 20 San Sebastián street festival.
The drink, whose name translates to "little coconut," is a decadently rich concoction made especially for the holiday season. Traditionally, the recipe starts with a blend of coconut cream, evaporated milk, and condensed milk seasoned with vanilla, holiday spices, and — of course — plenty of rum.
Most Puertorriqueños will tell you it's the toquecito — that unique variation found in every family recipe — that makes each family's batch of coquito special. In some households, it's the addition of eggs or shaved coconut. In others, it's an added touch of star anise, or maybe rum-soaked raisins.
For Miami native Jess Orta, founder of Coquito Miami 305, it's local flavors like pastelito de guayaba and cafecito that bestows her bottles of coquito that extra something. It's also what's helped turn a savvy side hustle into a bustling small business in just three years. What started as selling a few hundred bottles has grown into sales of more than 7,000 so far this season, she tells New Times.
While coquito is traditionally meant to be shared as a gift, these days there are plenty of ways to get your coquito fix without a family hookup. Many Miamians have established businesses peddling bottles of their unique family recipe — many with innovative riffs and nontraditional flavors — marketing their goods via Instagram, online, or through local grocers and markets.
In the Magic City, where Latin culture abounds, the coquito game has expanded to become more than just an entrepreneurial endeavor. Even Miami-based spirit brand Candela Mamajuana has taken the holiday tradition to the next level, offering a unique way for rum lovers to create coquito at home.
What began as a fun way to sample their Dominican-made spiced rum as coquito during holiday tasting events in 2021 has since turned into a limited-edition branded kit, Candela Mamajuana founder Alejandro Russo tells New Times.
"Although we are a Dominican spirit, and coquito is a Puerto Rican tradition, the two are perfect for each other," says Russo. "The spices in the rum are so flavorful, you don't need to add more cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg. Candela, like Miami, is all about embracing Latin and Caribbean traditions, and we think coquito is a great way to celebrate both — no matter who you are."
If it's a locally made coquito you're after, here are seven local brands offering their take on this festive holiday treat in Miami:
