The holiday season in St. Croix is incomplete without the beloved beverage known as coquito. Often described as Puerto Rican eggnog due to its origin from the island, this smooth and creamy coconut based alcoholic beverage is the perfect combination of delicious ingredients – coconut, condensed milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon and of course, rum – Cruzan Rum to be exact. The island’s love of coquito runs so deep that it is celebrated each year at Coquito Festival. Now in its 13th year, the event is back and better than ever since a two-year hiatus thanks to the global pandemic.
Hosted by La Reine Chicken Shack in Estate La Reine, Coquito Festival is where the island’s coquito makers from near and far go toe-to-toe to determine who has the BEST coquito in the land! Several competitors have thrown their hat in the ring since 2007, ranging from novices to secret family recipes. In the end, only one can be crowned the best and retain bragging rights for a year. The grand prize winner of the 2022 Coquito Festival will receive $500 cash plus a free iPhone with one year service provided by Viya Wireless Network. Second and third prize winners will receive $300 and $200 cash prizes, respectively. The winner of best bottle presentation will receive a cash prize of $200. Attendees at Coquito Festival have a lot to look forward to – live music from Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, VIO International, Cruz Rock and Puerto Rican Power, a visit by Santa Claus with gifts and pictures for the children and endless samples of the beloved beverage for those who are 18 and older. From the original flavor to new ones like pistachio, chocolate, gooseberry and peppermint, you’re guaranteed to find a flavor you like and even the one that you love.
The 2022 Coquito Festival takes place on Saturday, December 17th from 12pm until midnight. Entry is free for all and is a family-friendly event. Visit La Reine Chicken Shack on Facebook for more information about the event.
Written by Anquanette Gaspard agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com
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