10 Best Puerto Rican Non Alcoholic & Alcoholic Drinks to Try
This list of the 10 Best Puerto Rican Virgin & Alcoholic Drinks (by a local) is the only one you need. Try any of these beverages that will make your taste buds dance!
Many times, when I mention Puerto Rican drinks, people automatically think of piña colada or coffee. However, there is so much more! Our infamously delicious Coquito or coconut eggnog is silky, decadent, and just one of the several tasty drinks Puerto Rico has to offer.
If you are looking for non-alcoholic beverages, that is the first list you will find. For the alcohol version and some others, simply scroll down or choose from the table of contents. Most of these are easy to make at home and so a simple recipe is included. Otherwise, I added information on where to find these exquisite drinks.
10 Best Puerto Rican beverages for “non drinkers” to try.
#1 Piña colada
Piña colada is well known as the national drink of Puerto Rico. In a nutshell, a non-alcoholic piñita (as we like to call it) is made with coconut cream and pineapple juice. The popular drink is traditionally iced, but many people prefer it frozen. If you want to, you can add whipped cream (made of heavy cream and sugar) and a maraschino cherry ton top.
The ratios for the drink can vary depending on where you go. Some people prefer the coconut flavor to be more present than the pineapple, but the original recipe is one part coconut cream and three parts pineapple juice.
To make 1 serving, mix 2 ounces of coconut cream and 6 ounces of pineapple juice, preferably in a shaker. Shake vigorously then strain into a cup with ice. Top with some whipped cream and a cherry or garnish with a pineapple slice. There’s your piña colada!
#2 Puerto Rican Coquito
Ah… the best Holiday drink you will ever taste: coquito. Spanish for “little coconut” this drink is sweet, silky and extremely comforting. If you are a fan of eggnog, then you should try the Puerto Rican eggnog. It is typically made with different milks, cream of coconut and spices. It does not contain raw egg yolks, however. Coquito is served cold, topped with some extra cinnamon or a garnish to match the main flavor.
The traditional Christmas drink only contains the ingredients previously mentioned. However, it has evolved to “flavored” coquito such as chocolate, pistachio, cookies and cream, cheesecake, and others. While they are all delicious, I will share the original recipe as it is simple and still the best one to try first.
For the coquito recipe, you need 1 12oz can of evaporated milk, 1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 15 oz can of “Coco Lopez” cream of coconut, 1 13 oz of coconut milk, 1 – 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a couple of cinnamon sticks. Mix all the ingredients (except the cinnamon sticks) in a blender or food processor until well incorporated. Pour into a glass bottle and add a cinnamon stick in each bottle. Chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight. Serve after dinner for a nice dessert drink. This recipe will make more than one bottle of coquito so you can always use the extra to give as gifts. Enjoy!
#3 Mavi
Mavi is made from the Mavi tree bark. The bark is fermented with sugar and boiled with spices. It can be found in food stands or little kiosks by the side of the road. It has a strong taste but make it cold and it is quite a refreshing drink on a hot day.
#4 Hot Chocolate and Cheese
Hot chocolate in Puerto Rico? Oh, yes! This year-round hot chocolate is the coziest, simplest, and tastiest you will ever find. Made with only three ingredients: Chocobar Cortés, milk of your preference and cheese. You read that right, cheese! Check out Quick & Easy Puerto Rican Traditional Hot Chocolate for the full recipe. This one is also perfect to include in your weekly kids recipes. Everyone loves it!
#5 Café con Leche
Coffee beans are prominent all over the world. Whether it is hot, cold, in desserts or as the beverage we all love, many countries have dedicated time and resources into developing their own coffee brand. Puerto Rico is no exception.
For the some of the best Puerto Rican coffees, you can try Café Oro, Alto Grande, Cuatro Sombras, or the most popular locally, Yaucono. For the full experience, you can tour a coffee plantation such as Hacienda San Pedro or Hacienda Muñoz. You can also taste and buy their delicious coffee, ground or whole bean.
Also, if you want to make authentic Puerto Rican coffee, see this Traditional Puerto Rican Coffee 3-Ways recipe. It will revolutionize your mornings. 😉
#6 Frappé
As you can imagine, in a tropical place where it is always hot, frappes are one of the favorite drinks. Made of blended fresh fruit with ice cream or juice and ice. It can also be a dessert-type drink made of chocolate, cookie, caramel, or cake and ice cream. If you are visiting, the best two places to check out are Don Frappé in Añasco, and Sabor Frappé in Levittown, Toa Baja. Don Frappé was my absolute favorite on a beach/road trip day. Highly recommended!
#7 Guarapo
Guarapo is literally translated to sugar cane juice. The drink is made of the sugar cane sometimes mixed with fruit juice. This is very common in Latin American countries as sugar cane is cultivated in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In Puerto Rico, it can be found in grocery stores or roadside stands such as La Guarapera in Aguada, and Guarapo de Caña in Morovis.
#8 Malta India
Malta India is a soft drink, made from barley, water and corn syrup. It can be an acquired taste if you have never had it before but it is definitely a local favorite! It is non-alcoholic as it has not been fermented, and it is always served cold. Not the healthiest by any means but super tasty! The best to drink with mallorca bread for breakfast or white rice and beans for lunch. It can be found at any grocery store in Puerto Rico, and some Walmart stores in the United States.
#9 Horchata de ajonjolí
Horchata de ajonjolí is a drink made from soaked and crushed sesame seeds, sweetened condensed milk, cloves and cinnamon. It has its variations throughout Latin America but it is thought to have its origin in North Africa, then spread to Spain. Horchata is a healthy drink, and its nutty flavor makes it unique and delish. It can be found in many restaurants and businesses such as Ajibara’o in Aguada, and La Placita de José in Caguas.
#10 Limber
If you are out and about in shops or chinchorreando (bar hopping) and want something extra cold and refreshing, a limber is the way to go! It is made of many different fruit flavors, an icy treat in a cup. You bite and sip as it melts into itself, evolving in flavor. The best on-the-go refreshment so you can continue your tour for the day. Limbers Coquí Típico in Aguadilla, and La Tetita Lareña in Lares are excellent but you can find them in any roadside kiosk and some grocery stores in Puerto Rico.
Bonus: Coco frio
Coco frío is what it sounds like, cold coconut. The already cold coconut is open and you sip the water straight out of it. Perfect for a day at the beach or a road trip, it is commonly sold at the beach or kiosks on the side of the road. Refreshing indeed!
I hope you enjoyed these non-alcoholic Puerto Rican drinks! These are perfect for family gatherings, sharing with the kiddos or to savor on a hot summer day.
¡Buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
Puerto Rican Cocktails.
These are the most popular cocktails in Puerto Rico. Some of these alcoholic beverages have a virgin version and it has been included previously. To view them, simply scroll back up. 😊
Piña colada
Piña colada is well known as the national drink of Puerto Rico. In a nutshell, a piñita (as we like to call it) is made with coconut cream, pineapple juice, and Puerto Rican rum. It is traditionally iced, but many people prefer it frozen. If you want to, you can add whipped cream and a maraschino cherry ton top.
The ratios for the drink can vary depending on where you go. Some people prefer the coconut flavor to be more present than the pineapple, but the original recipe is one part coconut cream, one part rum, and three parts pineapple juice.
To make 1 serving, mix 2 ounces of coconut cream, 2 ounces of rum, and 6 ounces of pineapple juice, preferably in a shaker. Shake vigorously then strain into a cup with ice. Top with some whipped cream and a cherry or garnish with a pineapple slice. There’s your piña colada!
#2 Coquito
Ah… the best Holiday drink you will ever taste: coquito. Spanish for “little coconut” the coconut flavor in this drink makes it sweet, silky and extremely comforting. If you are a coconut lover, then you should try this coconut eggnog. It is typically made with different milks, cream of coconut, Puerto Rican rum, and spices. It does not contain raw egg yolks, however.
The original recipe has evolved to “flavored” coquito such as chocolate, pistachio, cookies and cream, cheesecake, and others. However, I will share the original recipe as it is simple and still the best one to try first.
For the coquito recipe, you need 1 12oz can of evaporated milk, 1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 15 oz can of “Coco Lopez” cream of coconut, 1 13 oz of coconut milk, 1 – 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ – ¾ cups of white rum (Don Q is best), and a couple of cinnamon sticks. Mix all the ingredients (except the cinnamon sticks) in a blender or food processor until well incorporated. Pour into a glass bottle and add a cinnamon stick in each bottle. Chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours or overnight. Serve after dinner for a nice dessert drink. This recipe will make more than one bottle of coquito so you can always use the extra to give as gifts. Enjoy!
#3 Chichaíto de coco
Chichaítos are made in a variety of flavors, but the base ingredients are anisette liquor and white Puerto Rican rum, often Palo Viejo. They are served in a shot glass, and the most popular flavor is coconut, or chichaíto de coco. The best places to try Chichaítos are in located at Old San Juan. My favorite is Los Tres Cuernos, where flavored Chichaítos originally started. You can also go to any chinchorro (small bar) and ask for a shot or a “caneca” (a mug) to share.
#4 Sangría
Sangría is a wine punch originally from Spain and Portugal. It is made of fruits, citrus, wine (red or white), sparkling soda and just a splash of a couple more spirits. Puerto Rican sangria usually includes wine, orange slices, pineapple juice or chunks, applesauce, lemon juice, granulated sugar, white Puerto Rican rum, a carbonated beverage such as Sprite, and vodka.
In Puerto Rico, sangría is available year-round due to its refreshing nature. There is even a sangria fest held in August each year. Some great places to try it are Sangrías in San Juan, and The Sangria Factory in Caguas.
#5 Beer
Puerto Rico has some amazing and refreshing beers to beautifully match its tropical weather. The most popular, light, and refreshing is Medalla Light. It is the national beer and can be found at any bar or restaurant. Some other nice lagers are Buyé, named after a gorgeous beach in Cabo Rojo, and Magna Special Craft.
If you prefer IPA’s, Crash Boat IPA is the way to go. If you prefer pilsners on the other hand, try Santo Viejo Beer. For stouts, the best ones are Kofresí Beer and Ocean Stout.
The brewery scene in Puerto Rico is growing larger by the year, and amazing beers have emerged recently. If you want to have a taste of everything, make sure to visit Old Harbor Brewery in Carolina. For a newer, delicious line of beer, try Ocean Lab Brewery. They have beer for everyone, and the taste is amazing.
#6 Rum
Puerto Rico is known as the rum capital of the world. The archipelago is famous for its distilling process, rooted in the sugar cane production centuries ago, and the aging of the rum. More than 70% of the rum sold in the United States is Puerto Rican.
The best rum brands in Puerto Rico include, and are not limited to, Don Q, Ron del Barrilito, Ron Coquí, and Palo Viejo. Don Q is from the Destilería Serrallés in Ponce. While their original version is excellent, they are also famous for their various white rum flavors such as passion fruit and coconut rum, highly recommended for coconut lovers. Also, if you can tour the distillery, it is full of history and delicious rums to try. They also offer a mixology class. If you like a nice, smooth sipping rum, be sure to try their Gran Reserva line.
Ron del Barrilito has great tours and a mixology class as well. If you are only in Puerto Rico for a short time and would like to stay closer to San Juan, Barrilito is the answer. Any of the rums previously mentioned can be tried at bars and most restaurants.
Lastly, while Bacardi is not originally Puerto Rican, it is made in the largest premium rum distillery in the world, located in Cataño, Puerto Rico. The recipe has been refined throughout the years and has become widely known. The distillery has a great tour and mixology class, too, if you decide to visit.
#6 Pitorro – Puerto Rican Moonshine
Finally, we have the Pitorro or “Ron Cañita”, better known as the Puerto Rican Moonshine. It is mostly a holiday spirit (sometimes used in Coquito), made of sugarcane and fruits, then buried to ferment for a while. It is super strong with 85-95-proof (about 45% alcohol). Obviously, homemade Pitorro is illegal, but you can buy the refined version from the Pitorro brand, or PitoRico at the airport or a distillery. There is another brand called Clandestino and it has a distillery in Maryland. If you are nearby, check it out!
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best Puerto Rican drinks. Due to its location, it is no surprise that the archipelago has so many refreshing beverage options. Hopefully you can make some of these at home or try many of them whenever you visit the Island of Enchantment.
As always, ¡buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
