Coquito + 2020, vol. 2
Coquito + 2020
This year has been a whole f*cking lot. Around this time last year, I was setting intentions for what I was manifesting 2020 to be for me. I’ve been living in New York since 2011 (with a stint back in DC for two years from 2016-2018) so I always go back for the Christmas holiday to relax, spend time with friends & family and most importantly...brunch at Park! JK but I seriously love Park lol.
Anyway, my best friend Taylor’s birthday is 12/30 and every year we always get together for a girl’s brunch the day after her bday party. I distinctly remember us asking each other what we want 2020 to look like for each other and I said “I want to take my passion for cooking full time”.
2020 flipped my life upside down but in a good way, like a lot of people’s lives. I taught my first IRL cooking class then Covid happened and I was like WTF, this was supposed to be my year! However, quarantine forced me to be still and really reflect what I want out of my life. I travel a shit ton for work so me being home for all this time I was like woah, what to do now lol. It was just me and the boo so I was like well I’m just gonna cook...let me cook all the things I haven’t had in forever, the ones I’ve always wanted to cook, meals I’ve had while traveling & visiting other countries, all the bookmark recipes in my cookbooks and the meals I miss from my mom. I just wanted to share my love of cooking with the world.
Of all things, this year has taught me…“f*ck it, just do what you love”. Life is short and I can’t spend more time waiting for things to be perfect or doubting myself. I’m going to keep going, keep cooking and continue setting my intentions every month to navigate this crazy world.
Let me wrap this sh*t up but I hope over this Christmas break you drink lots of coquito (or tequila), unwind from this crazy ass year and for the love of God, not get on another freaking zoom for work until 2021.
I’m going to get a lot better with these newsletters...listen, live happens and I’m getting the hang of everything going on in my life.
This newsletter is short and sweet and with what Christmas means to me which is COQUITO!
This is my mom’s recipe that she makes every year...I always add more rum because, obvi! This holiday just cuddle up on the couch with a big glass and turn on your OOO! Until next year…
Momma Ev’s Coquito (the picture above is my Mom’s handwritten recipe that I will keep forever)
1 can 15 oz coconut milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon or so cinnamon
1 teaspoon or so nutmeg (less is more for this)
1 cup of Bacardi rum (a good white rum)
Cinnamon sticks for garnishing
2 eggs (optional..I was always taught to use eggs don’t shoot me lol)
Directions
Add everything in a blender and serve cold with a cinnamon stick! This will keep in your fridge for 3 days or less *wink
xo - alex