Vegan Coquito Recipe (2024)

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By Carine Claudepierre
Published on 11/22/2020 - Last updated on 02/29/2024

4.87 from 110 votes

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💬 19 Comments

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You’ll love this easy Vegan Coquito Recipe with a creamy, sweet rum coconut flavor that is perfect for celebrating Christmas with a tropical touch!

Vegan Coquito Recipe (2)

Table of contents

What’s A Coquito?

A coquito is a rum-based Puerto Rican co*cktail with a creamy, sweet texture and tropical coconut flavor.

It’s also known as the Puerto Rican version of eggnog as it’s a traditional Christmas drink in Puerto Rico, just as eggnog is in the USA.

Is The Classic Coquito Vegan?

Unfortunately, no. The classic coquito recipe is not vegan as it’s made with evaporated milk.

To make your own coquito recipe, you need to tweak the original recipe.

Ingredients and Substitutions

A vegan coquito is a dairy-free version of the classic coquito recipe. Since it’s dairy-free, it’s also perfect for anyone with lactose intolerance as it doesn’t include milk.

All the ingredients you need to make a vegan version of a coquito co*cktail recipe at home are:

  • Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk – you will find this ingredient in a can next to condensed milk in most grocery stores. We recommend using Nature’s Charm’s condensed coconut milk.
  • Cream Of Coconut – this is not the same as canned coconut cream. Cream of coconut is also found in a can, but it also contains sugar and thickeners that add flavor and texture to the drink. The best vegan brand for this recipe is Coco Lopez, a Puerto Rican brand that makes the co*cktails perfect.
  • Unsweetened Canned Coconut Milk– I prefer unsweetened, because it makes it easier to adjust the sweetness.
  • Almond Milk – prefer unsweetened almond milk to avoid adding unnecessary sugar.
  • Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg – for classic winter flavors.
  • Vanilla Extract – for taste.
  • Shredded Coconut – this is optional, but I love the texture it adds to the co*cktail.
  • Rum– spiced rum or a combination of rums tastes better. See the note below on how to choose the best rum for coquito.

How To Make A Vegan Coquito

Before you start, make sure you shake all the cans of condensed milk and cream of coconut and coconut milk.

In fact, canned ingredients often separate in the can, fat going on top and liquid at the bottom.

Shaking the cans makes sure that you don’t miss an important part of the product.

Blending Everything

Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend on the high-speed setting until smooth.

Chilling

Vegan Coquito Recipe (3)

Place the co*cktail in a glass bottle or jug and chill for 3-4 hours in the fridge before serving.

To make this co*cktail faster, you can also chill the alcohol bottles and cans the day before.

Prepare the co*cktail 30 minutes before serving, chill for 30 minutes, then enjoy.

Swaps And Substitutions

If you can’t find the cream of coconut in the store, you can use the same amount of canned coconut cream.

However, you will have to add some maple syrup to the recipe to reach the sweetness and texture.

Usually, adding 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup is enough.

Storage Instructions

This vegan version of eggnog, also called coquito, doesn’t use egg yolks as classic eggnog.

It means it stores much longer and can be made ahead 2-3 days before.

Store your co*cktail in a glass bottle in the fridge and open it just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Alcohol Should I Use In Coquito?

The main alcohol used in a coquito recipe is rum.
But to make this flavorsome Puerto Rican eggnog recipe, we recommended using a combination of 3 rums.
– White rum
– Golden rum
– Coconut rum
– Homemade flavored rum
This said, it can be expensive to buy 3 bottles of rum, so another option is simply to use white rum that you infuse with cinnamon sticks and dried raisins.
To flavor your own rum, simply place the ingredients below into a sealed jar in the fridge. Let infuse overnight, filter, and use in co*cktails the next day.
– 1 1/2 cup of white rum
– 1/2 cup of dried raisins
– 2 cinnamon sticks

Is Rum Vegan?

Yes, most rum brands and spirits are vegan-friendly and don’t involve animals in their process.
The only liquors that are not vegan are the ones using honey or cream.

How Should I Serve Your Vegan Coquito?

This co*cktail must be served chilled with a pinch of ground cinnamon on top.
You can also decorate the glass with shredded coconut and add a stick of cinnamon to the glass for extra flavor.

More Vegan co*cktails

For more vegan co*cktails recipes, try some of the below:

Skinny Spicy Margarita recipe

Vegan Horchata

Coconut Margarita Recipe

Raspberry Margarita

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Vegan Coquito Recipe (8)

Vegan Coquito Recipe

A creamy vegan coquito co*cktail with sweet coconut flavor perfect to celebrate during the holiday season.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Chill: 4 hours hrs

Total Time: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, puerto rican

Servings: 8 servings (7 oz/serving)

Calories: 448.6 kcal

Author: Carine Claudepierre

4.87 from 110 votes

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a blender, add all the ingredients sweetened condensed coconut milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, almond milk rum, vanilla extract, and spices and blend on high speed until smooth – about 1 – 2 minutes.

  • Chill the co*cktail in the fridge in a sealed glass bottle or jug, for at least 4 hours or overnight.

  • Before serving, shake/stir. If too thick to your liking, thin with 2-4 tablespoons of extra almond milk, stir to combine, and serve.

  • Serve in a glass with a stick of cinnamon and a pinch of ground cinnamon.

Notes

Dark rum swap: you can use a combination of the 3 rums below to replace 1 1/2 cup of dark rum and create a much more flavorsome co*cktail:

  • 1 cup white rum
  • 1/2 cup coconut rum
  • 1/2 cup golden/dark rum

Cream of coconut is a sweetened coconut cream made for co*cktails. If you can’t find this in your store, replace it with unsweetened canned coconut cream and add 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup into the blender to reach the correct sweetness.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1glass (7oz/200ml)) | Calories: 448.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.4g | Protein: 6.8g | Fat: 28.2g | Saturated Fat: 24.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.3g | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 284.2mg | Fiber: 2.3g | Sugar: 25.9g | Vitamin A: 97.7IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 179.7mg | Iron: 1.9mg | Magnesium: 31.5mg | Phosphorus: 107.9mg | Zinc: 0.8mg

Vegan Coquito Recipe (9)

About The Author

Carine

Hi, I'm Carine, the food blogger, author, recipe developer, photographer, and published author of a cookbook and founder of The Conscious Plant Kitchen with my husband Damien.Learn more about us.

Vegan Coquito Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for evaporated milk in coquito? ›

A combination of full-fat coconut milk and coconut cream offered the ideal foundation, both creamy and easily sippable. And swapping the evaporated milk was easier than I thought thanks to evaporated coconut milk.

How long does non dairy coquito last? ›

How long does non dairy coquito last? Vegan coquito can last up to 6 months when stored in the refrigerator. To do this, you'll need to keep it tightly sealed in an airtight container. You can also add a little bit of rum or vodka to help extend its shelf life.

How do you make coquito not clumpy? ›

It's because the fat from the coconut is solidifying. If this happens to you, I would pop it in the blender right before serving. That should dissolve any bits that might've solidified.

Is Condensed milk Vegan? ›

The only difference between regular sweetened condensed milk and a vegan substitute is milk! Canned coconut milk is a popular non-dairy substitute, and I have found that soy milk works really well too. Regular versions of this condiment use cow's milk, which is not dairy-free or vegan.

What is a vegan substitute for evaporated milk? ›

Almond, oat, soy, cashew, and any other alternative milk base you can think of, can all be reduced on the stovetop to make a plant-based equivalent of evaporated milk.

What milk is closest to evaporated milk? ›

Five substitutes for evaporated milk
  1. Regular Milk. Unsurprisingly, the milk you already have in the fridge will be a fine substitute for evaporated milk—with a bit of tinkering. ...
  2. Non-Dairy Milk. ...
  3. Half and Half. ...
  4. Heavy Cream. ...
  5. Powdered Milk. ...
  6. 18 Comments.

Why does my coquito get chunky? ›

Coquito should be smooth, but it can become chunky if you use coconut milk instead of cream of coconut. The fat in coconut milk can separate and solidify towards the top of the container. Returning it to the blender just before serving should resolve the issue.

Does homemade coquito go bad? ›

Does Coquito Need To Be Refrigerated? Coquito should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator; kept that way, it can keep for anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. The ingredients may settle between servings, particularly if you used eggs, so be sure to stir before you pour.

What alcohol is in coquito? ›

Rich, creamy Coquito is a classic Puerto Rican co*cktail made with coconut cream, coconut milk, baking spices and, most important, rum.

What rum is best for coquito? ›

My favorite white rum to use here is Bacardí Superior—it's light and aromatic, with floral and fruity notes. This infusion comes together in seconds and can be done the day before folks come to gather. Spiced rum doesn't end with coquito either. After you make a batch for coquito, go ahead and make another.

Is dark or clear rum better for coquito? ›

Inés calls for white rum here—ideally Puerto Rican rum, like Bacardí or Don Q—but you can swap in dark rum for more syrupy, spiced notes (just avoid coconut rum, which has a more artificial coconut flavor). If you have time, soak a few cinnamon sticks in the bottle of rum for a few days to infuse it with woodsy spice.

Why is my coquito curdling? ›

When coconut milk is heated up, the protein changes its shape and ability to react with water and oil, which is what scientists call 'denaturing of the protein'. The protein releases oil and water and contracts into a tight chain. These contracted protein chains are visible as the white specks or curds.

What is a vegan substitute for coconut milk? ›

Almond milk works well as a substitute for coconut milk in smoothies, baked goods, cereals, and desserts. Soy Milk: Soy milk is derived from soybeans and water. It has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Soy milk is suitable for replacing coco.

Can vegans have coconut milk? ›

Yes, coconut milk is vegan, making it a great alternative to dairy for those on a plant-based diet. So the next time you're in the mood for a co*cktail, you don't have to shun the Pina Coladas. Looking for some vegan milk recommendations?

What is the vegan version of milk? ›

The most popular varieties are soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk. Other popular brands are made from coconuts, peas, cashews, hazelnuts, or rice. Not so long ago, demand for vegan milks was tiny and only a few such products existed. But sales of non-dairy milks have exploded in recent years.

What is evaporated milk and is there a substitute? ›

Evaporated milk is different than condensed milk, and the condensed version doesn't make a great substitute. However, you can make you're own evaporated milk at home. Make evaporated milk by heating 2 ¼ cups of regular milk and gently boiling it down until it reduces to 1 cup.

Can I use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk? ›

Another alternative for evaporated milk is to substitute coconut milk 1:1 in the recipe. This will impart a coconut flavor to the recipe, so it works in some recipes but not all.

Can coconut cream substitute evaporated milk? ›

Lite coconut cream is a little higher in kilojoules and fat than the coconut-flavoured lite evaporated milk, but contains hardly any sugar. It is a much better option than the standard coconut cream and can also be used as a substitute in a variety of recipes.

What happens if I use condensed milk instead of evaporated milk? ›

These items are essentially the same with one big difference: no sugar is added to evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk also has 60% of the water removed, but contains 40% sugar. Due to the big flavor difference, they cannot be substituted for each other.

References

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