RECIPE

Coquito

  • Contributed by Cocktails 2005
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: Makes about 2 dozen drinks

Carmen the Restaurant, Coral Gables, FL

Demand for the Coquito, a Latin take on eggnog, was so great that Carmen now serves the drink year-round, not just during the holidays.

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: Makes about 2 dozen drinks
  • MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 2 1/4 cups water
    2. Thick strips of zest from 2 limes
    3. 25 cinnamon sticks
    4. 2 1/3 cups sugar (1 pound)
    5. One 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
    6. One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
    7. 16 ounces light rum
    8. 1/4 cup pure vanilla extract
    9. 3 large egg yolks (optional)

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water with the lime zest and 1 cinnamon stick and simmer over moderate heat for 15 minutes. Strain into a large heatproof bowl and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
  2. Whisk in the sugar, coconut milk, evaporated milk, light rum, vanilla and egg yolks, if using; whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate the drink until chilled, about 2 hours. Stir well and ladle into small chilled martini or cordial glasses; garnish with the remaining cinnamon sticks.