Christmas Coquito = "Hey Girl, I Know You're Thirstay ... Open Wide, It's Jesus Christ's Birthday! Say Aaaaaaaah!"

"Puerto Rican Coquito
The Christmas Punch Also Has a Story to Tell

Everyone knows that a Latino Christmas celebration is full of cheer and delight, good music, delicious foods and original and traditional punches. The Christmas dinner -- where family and friends come together to celebrate -- is an ancient Roman tradition that began before the Christian era. It was not until 354 AD that the Roman Bishop Liberius officially declared that Christmas be celebrated on December 25th.

There is no other time for you to really get a chance to savor all the delicious holiday punches very popular among Latin American countries. According to historians, ancient Persian villagers consumed a very similar beverage that consisted of a mixture of water, lemon, herbs, sugar and rum called "panch." That custom made it's way to Europe where it underwent several changes and eventually evolved into what we call punch, and later became "ponche" in Spain.

Today, we still enjoy these traditional drinks with our own particular touch -- hence a variety of punches. Fruit punches are among the most popular, but in several countries punches are prepared with different ingredients including milk, sugar, eggs and rum.

Without a doubt, milk is a key ingredient thanks to Carnation Evaporated Milk. It's the component that makes the most notable change -- it adds flavor and a rich and creamy consistency. Since 1899, Carnation Milk has been the favorite ingredient of the Latino housewife when preparing her best holiday beverages.

Remember to prepare your time-honored punch this holiday season. It makes the perfect gift -- you can even present your concoction in a beautiful bottle decorated with holiday paper and a personalized gift tag.

We would love to learn all about your native country's holiday beverages! Visit MiCocinaLatina.com and share your recipes with us. Here you can also find new recipes and obtain loads of information especially related to Latino cuisine.

MiCocinaLatina.com wants to share with you the recipe for the world-famous Puerto Rican Coquito, a tasty holiday beverage that your guests will simply love. Here is to happiness and good health!

"COQUITO" PUERTO RICAN PUNCH

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooling time: 2 hours

Serves: 5

1 cup water

12 cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled

1 can (15 oz.) COCO LOPEZ Real Cream of Coconut

1 can (12 fl. oz.) CARNATION Evaporated Milk

1 cup rum

Powdered cinnamon, (optional)

Place water, cloves, cinnamon sticks and ginger in a small saucepan. Cook at medium heat until boiling. Remove from heat, cover. Let cool 15 minutes. Remove cinnamon, cloves and ginger.

Place the coconut cream, evaporated milk, rum, water and spices in blender, cover. Blend for 30 seconds or until well mixed. Refrigerate in a crystal container or bottle for at least 2 hours or until liquid is very cold. Shake well before serving.

To serve: Serve 2 ounces in appetizer glasses. Sprinkle with powdered cinnamon if desired.

Advice: Drop a cinnamon stick inside the bottle/container for added flavor."

Information Courtesy Of: Boricua.Com


CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Although my palate currently favors the savory taste of finely aged whiskey to the sharpness of most rums, old habits are hard to break. I am both West Indian (by way of St. Croix) and Puerto Rican (by way of the South, South Bronx), so the Taino warrior in me views the festive imbibing of Coquito as a most splendiferous Christmas communion of sorts.

As a child, I wasn't allowed to drink (per se), but, when December 25th rolled around I was permitted to soak my little liver in this rum laced Holiday treat. Ahhhhhhhhh, the memories ... the spotty drunken childhood family get-together memories ... lol. I keed. I keed. Of course, Y.O.U. don't have to be Puerto Rican to enjoy this Coco López® infused libation, but, it certainly helps! *Cue Rakim Voice* "Check out, check out, check out, check out the recipe."

Y.O.U. bring the pasteles (NOTE: Pasteles are a must have for the Holidays. I have known Puerto Ricans to riot when pasteles supplies have run dry ... ala the great Bushwick, Brooklyn Riot Of 1989 that was spurred by an unforseeable and abrupt platano shortage earlier that Fall) and I'll bring the Coquito ... or vice versa. It's time to go heavy on the good Bacardi® rum my G ... it's a party! Message To My Loyal Livestyle Community: Drink responsibly and pour it up with L.O.V.E. this AND every Holiday season. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!