Puerto Ricos 11 Traditional Drinks And Where To Try Them

Recently highlighted on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, the Isla del Encanto of Puerto Rico is known for its Latin cuisine. These incredible meals are exquisitely complemented by the local drinks that will instill a memory with each sip and have you searching for recipes upon your return home. This list of traditional drinks of Puerto Rico, and some chinchorros at which to find them, will help you plan your drinking and dining experience.

Piña colada

Named the national drink of Puerto Rico on July 10, 1978, the inventor of this refreshing rum drink is controversial to this day. The tropical climes of Puerto Rico can be cooled with this eye-catching delight. Mixologists strain (colada) juicy local pineapple (piña). Coconut water or cream of coconut is added along with crushed ice, and then blended with your choice of rum; perhaps Don Q or Bacardi, just a couple of the famous rums of Puerto Rico. Most often topped with a dab of whipped cream and garnished with a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, it is a wonderful, anytime drink. A non-alcoholic version is also enjoyed by the kids. Make a day of it at La Guancha in Ponce where you can sample piña coladas from the many kiosks while you listen to live music and feed the tarpon and the pelicans.

Pitorro

1. Coquito

Another drink enjoyed at the holidays, coquito is often called Puerto Rican eggnog. Recipes vary from family to family, but the main ingredients include evaporated milk, condensed milk, coconut milk, cream of coconut, white rum, and spices like vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Lovely holiday bottles are sold at just about every store this time of year, and coquito is made in batches and shared with friends and family. It is served chilled or over ice. For an extra special holiday treat, try the Coquito Tres Leche at Salitre Meson Costero.

Mojitos

The best mojitos are those made with homemade syrup, made out of brown sugar that is muddled with fresh mint. Add the rum and just about any fruit or herb you can think of. Original with lime is great, but also try passionfruit, strawberry, pineapple, watermelon, apple, basil and coconut. Try a great original mojito at Club Nautico de Boquerón, or grab one at Playa Sucia if you’re there on a lucky day. If you want to try different flavors, The Copy in Boquerón is the place for you.

Medalla

Puerto Rico has the most beautiful beaches, and there is nothing like an ice-cold beer enjoyed while bobbing in the waves of Playa Sucia or Culebra. Medalla is the local favorite, a light beer that is manufactured in Mayagüez.

Coco frio

There are many health benefits to coconut water, and driving down the roads of Puerto Rico you will find many stands selling coco frio, or cold coconut water. Whole coconuts are kept in a cooler and then topped with a machete when purchased. Most stands will also have rum, vodka, or whiskey that can be added. At most stands if you finish your coco frio there, they will then open it for you so you can eat the sweet meat inside. Tastes good, and is good for you.

Cuba Libre

Literally meaning “Free Cuba,” occasionally when ordered the bartender will still reply “no existe tal cosa,” “there is no such thing.” While many think that a Cuba Libre is just a rum and coke, it is actually not a Cuba Libre until the lime juice is added, preferably that of a fresh lime. Try it with Don Q Añejo, a superior amber rum that is aged in American white oak barrels for 3–10 years.

Frappe

Also a blended drink much like the piña colada, frappes are a frozen drink made with fresh fruit and ice cream. With the year-round lush environment of Puerto Rico, the fresh fruit choices are almost unlimited. Frappes can be found at roadside stands, kiosks, grocery stores, shopping malls, and just about everywhere in between.

Mavi

Mavi is made with the bark of the mavi tree that is boiled, sometimes with spices like ginger and cinnamon, or fruit is added for different flavors. An alcoholic version is made by fermenting this with mixture with sugar. The best place to pick up mavi is at local roadside stands.

2. Café con queso

Cheese in your coffee may seem strange, but café con queso is a must. Using coffee that is grown in the mountains of Puerto Rico, coffee beans are ground fine and served strong, often with milk and white or brown sugar. For a unique flavor sensation, try the café con queso that starts with strong espresso, then adds a little bit of hot chocolate mix, steamed milk, cinnamon, and a thin wedge of hard cheese like asiago or pecorino romano. The cheese adds a nutty, creamy flavor, and the salty-sweetness of the cheese with the chocolatey goodness of the hot chocolate is astounding. Try this culinary delight at Café Bizcochos in the plaza of Cabo Rojo.

Café | © Ирина Мищенко / Pixabay

Malta

Not all of the favorite beverages of Puerto Rico have alcohol. Malta is an unfermented, lightly-carbonated malt beverage that is very popular with Puerto Ricans. Sold in cans and small bottles, it is a taste special to the Caribbean and may take some getting used to.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.