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Chicago coquito competition brings out creativity, tradition and cultural fusion
Christmas may be over, but coquito, the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink, keeps the party going well into January. Made with cream of coconut and Puerto Rican rum, the rich cocktail typically features spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves and nutmeg.
Every family has a special recipe. Eric Roldán, owner of Marina’s Bishop and Rum Bar, said his pistachio coquito, made with house-made pistachio cream, “is something that goes back to my family roots. But I’m still trying to elevate it and still make it personal.”
For the third year, Tales of the Cocktail, a nonprofit based in New Orleans, and Bacardí are running a contest for best coquito in Chicago. Ten finalists will compete Jan. 19 at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Wicker Park, and the winner will receive a trip to Puerto Rico and a tour of the Bacardí distillery.
We caught up with Roldán and the other 9 competitors, representing some of the city’s most beloved bars and restaurants, to learn about the inspirations behind their creations.
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Your Daily Question
Previously, we asked you to tell us about a hobby, new or old, that helps you beat the winter blues.
“Birding — it gets me outside.” — John Heneghan
“Volunteering at the zoo.” — Kate Niedner
“I paint one room ahead of spring.” — Martin Urbanczyk
“I make handmade fishing lures. Satisfies being creative and dreaming of me or someone catching the big one.” — Rick Mobley
“Gunpla. I enjoy building small plastic models from the Japanese anime show Mobile Suit Gundam.” — Evan William
“Legos and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Uptown Taproom. One is meditative and centering. The other is to stay social and build up essential ‘winter padding’ with good beer.” — Beaumont Sebos
“I took up candlemaking this winter! I have been pouring them in blue mason jars, buttery yellow egg cups, green glass drums that are vintage juice glasses ... anything interesting I can get my hands on. And I scent them with grapefruit and orange natural oils. It’s a fresh ‘wake up to your life’ scent for a new year.” — Cee Stiel
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Written and curated by Matt Moore
Editor Eydie Cubarrubia
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The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you. Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at suntimes.com/member
Chicago coquito competition brings out creativity, tradition and cultural fusion
Christmas may be over, but coquito, the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink, keeps the party going well into January. Made with cream of coconut and Puerto Rican rum, the rich cocktail typically features spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves and nutmeg.
Every family has a special recipe. Eric Roldán, owner of Marina’s Bishop and Rum Bar, said his pistachio coquito, made with house-made pistachio cream, “is something that goes back to my family roots. But I’m still trying to elevate it and still make it personal.”
For the third year, Tales of the Cocktail, a nonprofit based in New Orleans, and Bacardí are running a contest for best coquito in Chicago. Ten finalists will compete Jan. 19 at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Wicker Park, and the winner will receive a trip to Puerto Rico and a tour of the Bacardí distillery.
We caught up with Roldán and the other 9 competitors, representing some of the city’s most beloved bars and restaurants, to learn about the inspirations behind their creations.
READ MORE
hr
Your Daily Question
Previously, we asked you to tell us about a hobby, new or old, that helps you beat the winter blues.
“Birding — it gets me outside.” — John Heneghan
“Volunteering at the zoo.” — Kate Niedner
“I paint one room ahead of spring.” — Martin Urbanczyk
“I make handmade fishing lures. Satisfies being creative and dreaming of me or someone catching the big one.” — Rick Mobley
“Gunpla. I enjoy building small plastic models from the Japanese anime show Mobile Suit Gundam.” — Evan William
“Legos and playing Dungeons & Dragons at Uptown Taproom. One is meditative and centering. The other is to stay social and build up essential ‘winter padding’ with good beer.” — Beaumont Sebos
“I took up candlemaking this winter! I have been pouring them in blue mason jars, buttery yellow egg cups, green glass drums that are vintage juice glasses ... anything interesting I can get my hands on. And I scent them with grapefruit and orange natural oils. It’s a fresh ‘wake up to your life’ scent for a new year.” — Cee Stiel
hr
Written and curated by Matt Moore
Editor Eydie Cubarrubia
hr
The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you. Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at suntimes.com/member
. I mean, it's not just about the rum and cream of coconut, it's about the culture and tradition behind it. The fact that every family has their own special recipe is what makes this competition so interesting. Eric Roldán's pistachio coquito sounds amazing btw, who wouldn't want to try something with house-made pistachio cream? 
And I love how Tales of the Cocktail is bringing people together to share their creations and inspire each other. It's like a big party for your taste buds 
. Can't wait to see what all the finalists come up with on Jan 19!
its like they're competing with each other to make the best coquito recipe 
i was talking to my friend who's in culinary school and she said that making coquito is kinda like a big project for her class because every family has their own special recipe so theres this whole thing of like, how do u take ur grandma's coquito recipe and turn it into something new? 
i think its cool cuz its all about fusion and trad & stuff 
eric roldán from marina’s bishop & rum bar is competing and he said his pistachio coquito is inspired by his family roots which is so sweet 
anyway whoever wins that trip to puerto rico is gonna be a lucky person 
. marina's bishop and rum bar owner eric roldán says his pistachio coquito is inspired by his family roots, but he's still experimenting with new flavors 
. meanwhile, tales of the cocktail and bacardí are hosting a contest to find the best coquito in chicago, with 10 finalists competing for a trip to puerto rico 
.
. it's also popular during new year's eve parties and other celebrations throughout january 
. and did u know that the name "coquito" actually means "little coconut" in spanish? 
. what's even more awesome is that the winner gets a trip to puerto rico and a tour of the bacardí distillery - talk about a dream come true for any rum lover 