Coquito just claimed its crown on the global stage, and mi gente, this one hits directo al corazón.

In late October 2025, the global culinary guide TasteAtlas voted coquito, the traditional Puerto Rican drink, the best alcoholic mixed drink in the world. Out of a list of 100 cocktails, our creamy, coconutty Puerto Rican classic beat out icons like Spanish sangría and Cuban mojito.

This isn’t just about a drink winning an award. This is about Puerto Rican culture, tradition, and sabor finally getting the recognition it deserves.

As a Boricua, Founder of Healthy Rican, I’m celebrating this win with you, because coquito isn’t just a holiday drink. It’s a symbol of family, nostalgia, and cultural pride.

Get your Coquito glass ready! To shop, click on the image below:

What Is Coquito and Why Is It So Special?

If you grew up Boricua, you already know: Coquito is Christmas in a cup.

Coquito is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink made with:

  • Creamy coconut
  • Warm spices like cinnamon
  • Sweetness that hugs your soul
  • And yes, a good splash of rum

It’s often called the "Puerto Rican eggnog," but honestly, that doesn’t do it justice. Coquito is richer, silkier, and packed with Caribbean flavor. Every family has their own version — some add more cinnamon, some use different milks, some make it stronger (you know who you are).

What makes coquito truly special is that it’s more than a recipe. It’s:

  • The tío who shows up with recycled bottles filled with coquito
  • The abuela who says, "Solo un vasito" and then refills it anyway
  • The kitchen full of laughter, música, and stories while you stir the pot

Coquito is a cultural ritual that brings generations together.

Coquito Takes the Global Crown

TasteAtlas is known worldwide for ranking traditional foods and drinks based on global reviews, expert opinions, and cultural impact. When they released their list of the Top 100 Alcoholic Mixed Drinks in the World, coquito didn’t just make the list — it landed at number one.

That means our humble holiday drink:

  • Outranked Spanish sangría, a global favorite
  • Surpassed the legendary Cuban mojito
  • Stood above classics from Europe, Asia, and beyond

For a small island like Puerto Rico, this recognition is powerful. It says to the world: our flavors, our traditions, and our people matter.

Why This Recognition Matters for Puerto Ricans Everywhere

For Puerto Ricans on the island and across the diaspora, coquito is a taste of home.

When TasteAtlas named coquito the best alcoholic mixed drink in the world, it validated what we’ve always known: our food and drinks are world-class.

This recognition matters because:

  • It shines a light on Puerto Rican culinary heritage
  • It honors the generations who preserved these recipes through colonization, migration, and hardship
  • It gives our kids something to point to and say, "That’s ours. That’s from where we come from."

As someone who built Healthy Rican to help you eat healthier without losing your sazón, this moment feels extra special. It proves that our culture doesn’t have to be watered down or hidden to be celebrated. We can show up as our full, flavorful selves.

Coquito, Culture, and Health: Can You Enjoy It and Still Be Healthy?

You know I’m The Nutrition Dork, so of course I’m going to talk about balance.

Coquito is a holiday treat. It’s creamy, sweet, and yes — it’s indulgent. And that’s okay.

A healthy lifestyle isn’t about never enjoying traditional foods or drinks. It’s about:

  • Being intentional with portions
  • Choosing quality ingredients when you can
  • Enjoying your culture without guilt

Here are a few ways to make your coquito experience a little more aligned with your wellness goals:

  • Use better quality milks and avoid unnecessary additives when possible
  • Sweeten mindfully and taste as you go
  • Serve in small glasses and sip slowly
  • Balance your day with nourishing meals and hydration

Remember: Everyone deserves a healthy life con sazón. That includes space for coquito at the holiday table.

Coquito as a Symbol of Puerto Rican Resilience

When I think about coquito winning this global title, I don’t just think about the drink. I think about:

  • The families who rebuilt after hurricanes and still found a way to celebrate Navidad
  • The Boricuas who left the island and carried recipes in their hearts and notebooks
  • The new generations learning to make coquito from TikTok, YouTube, and abuela’s voice notes

Coquito represents resilience, creativity, and joy. It’s proof that even in hard times, we find ways to gather, to laugh, to toast, and to say, "Pa’lante, siempre."

How Healthy Rican Celebrates This Coquito Win

At Healthy Rican, our mission is to help you bring Puerto Rican flavor into your kitchen in a healthier way — without sacrificing taste or tradition.

This global recognition of coquito aligns beautifully with what we stand for:

  • Flavor-forward: Our seasonings are crafted so you never have to choose between health and sabor
  • Culture-rich: Every product and recipe is rooted in Puerto Rican tradition
  • Health-conscious: We focus on non-GMO ingredients and no artificial colors or additives

When you’re cooking your holiday meals — from pernil to arroz con gandules — and pairing them with a cold glass of coquito, you can season your dishes with Healthy Rican Adobo, Sazón, or Dry Sofrito and know you’re keeping the flavor and being mindful of ingredients.

Because wellness should never mean erasing your culture. It should mean honoring it, intentionally.

A Toast to Coquito, Puerto Rico, and Our Culture

As we raise our glasses this holiday season, we’re not just drinking a creamy coconut cocktail. We’re celebrating:

  • Puerto Rico’s place on the global culinary map
  • The ancestors and abuelas who kept these recipes alive
  • The joy of sharing our culture with the world, one sip at a time

So here’s to coquito — now officially the best alcoholic mixed drink in the world — and to you, mi gente, for keeping our traditions strong.

From my cocina to yours, con mucho amor y sazón,
Mayra Luz Colón
Nutrition Dork & Founder of Healthy Rican

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Recipe

Puerto Rican Coquito Recipe

Now, let’s get to the part you’ve been waiting for, a classic Puerto Rican coquito recipe so you can celebrate this global win right from your own kitchen.

This recipe is rich, creamy, and perfect for sharing. As always, feel free to adjust sweetness and spices to your taste.

Ingredients

  • 1 can (12–14 oz) evaporated milk
  • 1 can (13.5–15 oz) coconut milk
  • 1 can (13.5–15 oz) cream of coconut (like Coco López)
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1–2 cups white or gold rum (adjust to taste)
  • 2-3 anise stars
  • 6-8 cloves
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for garnish
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the tea: In a pot, add all the spices along with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes until the spices are infused. Strain into a large bowl or remove the large spice pieces. 
  2. Blend the base: In a blender or large bowl or pot, add the evaporated milk, coconut milk, cream of coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. Blend until smooth and fully combined.
  3. Add flavor and rum: Add the spices and rum. Start with 1 cup of rum, blend, taste, and add more if you prefer a stronger coquito.
  4. Adjust sweetness and spices: Taste and adjust to your liking. You can add a bit more cinnamon, vanilla, or cream of coconut if you want it sweeter or more spiced.
  5. Chill and infuse: Pour the coquito into glass bottles or jars. Add a cinnamon stick or two to each bottle for extra flavor. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight, so the flavors can meld and the coquito can thicken.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Shake well before serving. Pour into small glasses, sprinkle a little cinnamon on top, and garnish with a cinnamon stick if you’d like.

Equipment & Notes

Optional: Blender

Storage Tips

  • Keep coquito refrigerated at all times.
  • It usually keeps well for up to 4–5 days when made with dairy.
  • Always shake before serving, as natural separation is normal.

Bring the flavor home

Explore our full collection of Healthy Rican seasonings, including staples like Adobo, Sazón, and Sofrito Seco. Whether you saw them in the recipe or want to try something new, these blends are made with all-natural ingredients and puro sabor.

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Mayra Luz Colón, Healthy Rican Cookbook

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The Healthy Rican Cookbook

The Healthy Rican Cookbook is a guide to making traditional Puerto Rican dishes in a healthier way. But it’s more than just recipes—it’s also a resource for choosing wholesome ingredients and cooking with intention.

Using a holistic nutrition approach, Mayra shares tips on how to select nourishing foods and combine them in ways that support better digestion and overall wellness.

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