There’s nothing like the festive season in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The holiday festivities begin on Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve where locals feast on authentic eats like pork, rice, beans and, of course, coquito. Meaning “little coconut” in Spanish, coquito is a traditional Christmas drink that originated in Puerto Rico and is a staple during the holiday season. While Caribe Hilton’s claim to fame is inventing the iconic piña colada, the property also serves a delicious coquito during the holiday season. Made with a creamy, coconut base and rum, it’s often referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog.

• 12oz Coconut Milk Unsweetened 
• 12oz Evaporated Milk
• 12oz Coconut Cream
• 12oz Condensed Milk
• 4 cups Barrilito Rum
• 3 tbls Ground Cinnamon
• 5 ea Cinnamon Sticks
• 3 tbsl Vanilla Extract 

Directions: Mix all ingredients together except the rum and slowly bring to a simmer, mixing constantly. Let cool until room temperature is reached and then add rum. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and serve cold in a shot glass. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and cinnamon powder. 

Curaçao Pistacho Ponche Krema Eggnog

Curaçao’s blend of over 55 different cultures makes for a colorful, distinct and unique holiday season! Locals take Christmas very seriously, with a big emphasis on family and large meals shared with loved ones. Every traditional Christmas dinner in Curacao includes Ponche Krema de Pistacho, or locally made pistachio eggnog spiked with rum! With latin influences hailing from Venezuela, just 50 miles away, local chef Désirée Da Costa Gomez’s Ponche Krema is made with sweet flan mix and traditional condensed milk. Meanwhile, the pistachio flavoring is unique to the Dutch-Caribbean island recipe. And whereas American eggnog is usually spiked with brandy, Curaçao’s iteration uses rum – a Caribbean cocktail staple. 

• 1 (77 gram) package Royal Flan
• 2 cups milk
• 1 (88 gram) package instant Pistachio Pudding and Pie Filling
• 1/2 (395 gram) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup rum
• 1 tsp white vanilla

Add 2 cups of milk to the flan mix in a saucepan, stirring to keep the mixture smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a full bubbling boil. Remove from heat and let cool for about 15 minutes. In a blender, combine flan mixture, instant Pistachio Pudding and Pie Filling package, sweetened condensed milk, rum and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Pour the eggnog into a glass bottle and refrigerate until ready to serve. Shake well and serve over ice. ±4 cups.

Ponche Aruba / Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 

Aruba’s signature holiday drink, Ponche Aruba, holds all the festive feels in one sip. Comparable to eggnog, Ponche Aruba is the perfect cocktail to indulge next to a warm fire pit, a nice restaurant, or even at home. Needing only 3 main ingredients, Ponche Crema Liqueur, Spiced Rum, and Amaretto curating this drink is fast, simple, and a go-to when entertaining friends and family. And the best way to enjoy this tropical holiday cocktail is on the sandy white beaches of the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

• 2 oz Ponche Crema Liqueur
• 1 ½ oz Spiced Rum 
• ¾ oz Amaretto