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National Coquito Day

Celebrate National Coquito Day with a tropical twist - enjoy the creamy Puerto Rican rum-coconut beverage for a sweet and delicious treat!

Monday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDecember 21

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYAlcohol

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

It's time to get festive and celebrate National Coquito Day on December 21! This day celebrates a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink, coquito, which is made with coconut milk, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, sweetened condensed milk, rum or brandy and other ingredients. Originally created in the 1940s by a New York City resident of Puerto Rican descent as an alternative to eggnog during the holidays. The creamy beverage has become popular throughout Latin America over the years.

TIMELINE

National Coquito Day Timeline

Coquito Inception

Coquito was first introduced in the 1940s by a New York City resident of Puerto Rican descent to be enjoyed during the holiday season.

Boost in Latin America

By the 1970s, coquito had gained widespread popularity throughout Latin America, becoming a staple holiday drink.

Coquito Competitions

The first coquito competitions were held in the 1990s, sparking a renewed interest in the traditional holiday beverage.

National Coquito Day Established

National Coquito Day was officially recognized and established to be celebrated on December 21 each year.

Global Recognition of Coquito

Coquito garnered global recognition as more restaurants and bars outside Latin America began serving the drink during the holiday season.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Coquito Day

Make your own coquito

Making coquito is not only fun, but easy too. All you need is coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and a little rum. Mix it all together and you have the perfect creamy drink.

Go out for coquito

Head to your favorite Puerto Rican restaurant and indulge in a glass of this creamy holiday favorite. From restaurants to bars, many establishments serve coquito during the holiday season.

THROW

Throw a coquito party

Invite some friends over for a Coquito tasting party! Ask everyone to bring their favorite recipe and see who makes the best Coquito! You can even make it a competition.

BAKE

Bake with coquito

Try out some new recipes using coquito as an ingredient. Coquito is great in cakes, breads, cookies and more. Don't forget to share your treats with friends and family.

PLAY

Play traditional Puerto Rican games

Play traditional Puerto Rican games like dominoes or “placita” while sipping on some delicious homemade coquito. Get the whole family involved in the celebration.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Coquito Day

It celebrates culture & heritage

In addition to being delicious, sipping on this traditional holiday beverage also helps celebrate and honor Puerto Rico’s cultural traditions and heritage every year. So if you want to show your support for this wonderful Caribbean island, grab yourself a glass of coquito this National Coquito Day!

It's delicious

Spicy, creamy and luxurious, coquito is the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink that is sure to bring any gathering to life. Made with coconut milk, rum, condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices, it has a unique flavor that is both sweet and savory at the same time!

It's easy to make

Making coquito from scratch doesn't require a lot of effort or expertise. With just a few basic ingredients and a blender, you can whip up this traditional holiday beverage in no time. Plus, it keeps well in the fridge for up to two weeks - so you can make it ahead of time and always have some on hand for celebrations!