Although there is no doubt that Coquito originated in Puerto Rico, there is some dispute regarding the origins of the recipe. A web search yields a series of theories, some more plausible than others.
The most plausible theory attributes the origins of Puerto Rican eggnog to the period of Spanish colonization of the island. However, the full development of Puerto Rican eggnog is not as simple as that. To fully understand Puerto Rico’s unique cuisine, one must first consider its ethnic roots.
Contemporary Puerto Rican cuisine is a hybrid blend of flavors from its indigenous Taino people, Spanish colonizers, imported African slaves, and later influence from the United States.
The development of Puerto Rican eggnog is the intersection of these four distinct cultures.
For example, the Spanish invaders brought with them a love for possessions, a hot beverage made with warm milk curdled with brandy, wine, or sherry. It did not take long before the Spanish began to incorporate local rum into the recipe.
Later, the addition of coconuts to the recipe came about. Coconuts were another colonial import brought by African slaves to Puerto Rico to work in the sugar industry.
After the end of the Spanish-American War, control of the island was transferred to the United States. The last two ingredients—evaporated milk and canned condensed milk—were added to the Puerto Rican eggnog recipe.
As you can see, Puerto Rican eggnog is truly a hybrid of the four cultures that have shaped the island’s culture over the centuries.
