Coquito: its as solid a Puerto Rican Christmas tradition as lechón asado and aguinaldos, and everyone seems to think that their recipe is the best. Some use a dash of vanilla, a pinch of syrup, switch up leche condensada with evaporada, or just add a distillery’s load of rum. Think your Coquito would make any Jíbaro proud (or at least wasted)? Then try giving El Museo del Barrio’s Annual Coquito Tasting Contest a shot. The contest has been going for nine years now, and it gets pretty darn competitive, as one girl last year who had to steal her dad’s recipe from a safe underneath his bed can testify. If you’re afraid your recipe wont stand up to some old lady’s method handed down from her bisabuela in Naranjito, then you can at least come to the final on December 18th sample glass after glass of the white stuff, and vote for which ever coquito kicks most butt.
Qualifying rounds are taking place all over the city (see below), so register by emailing coquitomasters@gmail.com and be prepared to mix up some milky, coco-nutty goodness at the following locations:
MANHATTAN
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Dec 4: Milk Lounge – TB Confirmed
2056 Second Ave., Between 105th & 106th Sts.
Nov 27: Clemente Soto Velez
107 Suffolk Street
Dec 11: Caribbean Cultural Center
408 West 58th St., Between 9th and 10th Aves.
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BRONX
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Dec 1: Hostos Community College – Longwood Gallery
450 Grand Concourse (149th)
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BROOKLYN
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Nov 20: El Puente
211 South 4th Street
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QUEENS
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Dec 11: Queens Museum – Unisphere Gallery
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Connecticut, Time is TBA
Dec 3: ARTE
19 Grand Ave – New Haven
For more info on the tasting contest, check out El Museo del Barrio’s website.