Winter 2024, Recipes, Sweet BitesTorrey Douglass

Delicious Little Coconut

Winter 2024, Recipes, Sweet BitesTorrey Douglass
Delicious Little Coconut

Spice Up Your Festivities with Vegan Coquito

by Erica Schneider


Creamy, tropical, and cozy all at the same time, Coquito (“little coconut”) is a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas cocktail. Made with coconut milk, rum, and warming spices, our version is reminiscent of eggnog, but without the eggs or dairy.

At Fog Eater, we use four types of coconut milk to really get that island taste. Some traditional recipes use evaporated and/or sweetened condensed dairy milk, which might be easier to find at your local market (though we easily found the coconut versions in Fort Bragg). If you do switch up milks, make sure to taste and adjust sugar accordingly!

Use your favorite Puerto Rican rum—we used a spiced variety for this recipe to give it even more Christmas warmth, but golden, white, or even a blend would be lovely.

Fog Bottle Shop & Wine Bar
45104 Main Street, Mendocino
(707) 397-1806 | fogeatercafe.com
Open Wed - Sun 12pm - 7pm

Coquito

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cans (13.5oz each) full-fat coconut milk

  • 2 cans (5.4oz each) coconut cream

  • 1 can (7.4oz) sweetened condensed coconut milk

  • 1 can (12.2oz) evaporated coconut milk

  • 2 cinnamon sticks

  • 1 star anise

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground clove

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

  • 2 cups spiced rum

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the milks, spices, and sugar in a pot and bring to a light simmer, then cut the heat. Allow to cool a bit, then add the vanilla and rum. Chill overnight, then remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise. If you have the time and self-restraint, Coquito tastes best if allowed to sit for a couple of days before drinking. Heat (if you want), pour it into your most festive glass, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or, if you’re fancy, a cinnamon stick.

Erica Schneider is co-owner of Fog Eater Cafe and Fog Bottle Shop. She creates incredible vegan dishes for her patrons. She and her cat live in a little cottage by the sea when they are not out foraging in the wilds of the Mendocino coast.

Photo by istock.com