Maybe it’s my recent obsession with Mod Cloth or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been spending time visiting my grandfather at his (55 and over) complex, but I have seriously grown obsessed with the 50s. Clothing, music; you name it. I’m there. There’s something about that time that makes me nostalgic for better days. No, I wasn’t around then. My mother was barely even born in the 50s, but I really feel like we’ve lost something as a society that can be found by looking back to that time. Was it a simpler time? I can’t be sure. Every decade has its own set of problems. What I can tell you is that people valued relationships much more in those days.
I recently saw a comedian who joked about the contrast between his parent’s generation and our own. At his parent’s house, they welcomed people who dropped by unannounced and even had a coffee cake on hand for such occasions. Today, when someone unexpected rings the doorbell, we dim the lights and pretend we’re not home. It’s a sad but true reality. If someone stopped by my house today, I’d do the same. Why? Because my house isn’t ready for company. The laundry is in a pile in the hallway and the coffee cake is still sitting on the shelf at the store.
But, with my newfound affinity for this bygone decade, I think it’s time to change my ways. It’s time to get the house ready and prepare for company. And, well, you know I wouldn’t entertain without some good cocktails. So, here are a few cocktails that were popular in the 50s. Time to get the ingredients and stock the bar because we’ve got company!
Have you ever heard of comfort food? Of course you have. But, have you ever heard of comfort drinks? Ahh, probably not, right? If so, it’s time to change that – with the Coquito! Oh, this drink is good; I kid you not. It’s often referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog, but I believe if more people tasted the coquito, they’d forget all about eggnog. I was never a big fan of eggnog anyway, but after becoming vegan, it was definitely off-limits. By the way, even if you and your guests aren't vegan, some might be lactose intolerant, so making a veganized coquito might still be a good idea.
You can veganize either drink (coquito or eggnog), but easier and tastier to veganize the coquito. The vegan version is also better for your health. So, for today, I’m going to share a cocktail and mocktail and a veganized cocktail. They are all kind of thick and sweet, so a coquito isn’t really the kind of drink you have too many of in one sitting. Keep that in mind, if you’re planning a holiday party. Definitely add the coquito the drink list, but be sure to have a few lighter drinks too. Just make enough coquitos for each guest to have two or three. More than that would be overkill.
Whether you try these recipes or not, I really hope you try the coquito – you won’t be disappointed. You’ll always remember your first coquito. For me, it was in my college years. At the time, I was temping as an administrative assistant at a major insurance company. The rest of the party wasn’t so memorable, nor was the job itself, now that I’m thinking about it, but the coquito? That, I remember.
Coquito Recipe
1 750-ml bottle of vanilla rum
1 13-1/2 ounce can coconut milk
1 15-ounce can cream of coconut
2.5 12-ounce cans evaporated milk
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Blend ingredients and refrigerate. Sprinkle with cinnamon and garnish with cinnamon sticks before serving.
(Virgin) Coquito Mocktail Recipe
Follow the recipe above, but substitute the vanilla rum for 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
Vegan Coquito Recipe
1 can Coconut milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 can Cream of Coconut
1 cup Almond milk
2 cups Bacardi rum
Blend ingredients and refrigerate. Sprinkle with cinnamon and garnish with cinnamon sticks before serving.
