Coquito

My husband Brian was  in the Coast Guard and we lived in Puerto Rico for two years. During that time we spent one Christmas on the island of Vieques with our friends and their family. We were introduced to Coquito at this time. It is a tropical eggnog that is very decadent ( to say the very least). Its the quintessential holiday drink on the island. This is the recipe my friend Eilene gave me in 1999. Whenever I make it it reminds me of our PR days and my first Christmas away from home. I can actually feel the warm breeze and hear the music with the first sip.

Coquito

2 ripe coconuts
2 cups white PR rum
1 can Condensed milk
Ground nutmeg
4 eqq yolks

1- crack cocos. seperate meat, wash, drain and grate the meat. **
2. pour one cup of rum in blender. add 1/3 of coco meat. crush thoroughly. strain and squeeze through cloth.
3. pour strained liquid back in blender, add 1/3 coco meat, repeat.
4. Pour liquid again in blender add balance of coco meat and repeat. Strain and measure 2 cups.
5. Pour liquid back into blender. add yolks and mix
6.add condensed milk and mix well
7.In a large bowl mix the liquid thoroughly with 1 cup rum.
8. bottle and store in fridge. remove from fridge 1/2 hour before serving. Shake bottle well. pour in punch cups and grate fresh nutmeg on top.
**note to seperate coco meat from shell break coco in large pieces and heat in preheated oven to 350 for about 5-10 minutes