What is Coquito?

Coquito, a beverage traditionally served during the holiday season between Christmas and Three Kings Day, is a special egg-based blend of global ingredients like coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and cloves, and of course, rum from the Caribbean. It is has been called a distant cousin to posset (England), rompope (Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico), rompopo (Guatemala and Honduras), punch de crème (Trinidad and Tobago), and cola de mono (Chile). It is a metaphor for Puerto Rican heritage, a blend of indigenous Taino Indian, African and European ancestry.

International Coquito Federation Founder Debbie Quinones, known as the “Contessa of Coquito,”  is also behind the popular annual Coquito Masters Contest (the last installment of which took place on December 14). Conceived 11 years ago in El Barrio, the series has gone on to inspire similar events not just across the nation, but around the globe.

Check out the below media mentions for more on the history of the annual Coquito events:

“Contest Searches for Best Cup of Coquito,” DNA Info 

“Coquito: A Tropical Twist on the Holiday Classic, National Public Radio 

 “International Coquito Masters  Event Qualifier – Who Makes the Best Coquito?” HarlemCondoLife 

“Brewing a Christmas Drink With Roots in Puerto Rico,” New York Times

 Ready to take your Coquito curiosity to the next level? Then you must try…