Coconut + Rum Milk Punch

Meet your new favorite holiday sidekick - Coconut Milk Punch.

Eggnog is one of my absolute favorite holiday drinks—virgin or boozy… or over a double shot of espresso. I was actually planning on making a coconut milk eggnog for this post (aka the “9th Day of Christmas” Recipes!!!), but after thinking about how I have another eggnog recipe coming up for Christmas day (hehe get ready for that one) I decided it would be fun to switch things up a little and make something very similar, yet so much easier.

With homemade eggnog, there’s a whole process of heating the milk, tempering the egg yolks, letting everything cool, and more. With this milk punch, you literally just throw all of your ingredients in the blender, froth it up, and voila — a delicious, creamy, slightly sweet holiday cocktail in seconds. I absolutely love the way coconut milk works in this recipe. First of all, using full-fat coconut milk is imperative to getting a creamy end product, similar to traditional milk punch using cow’s milk. Second of all, the fruity, nutty, and tropical flavors of coconut works so well with the rum and nutmeg — it’s like having a tropical Christmas without ever leaving your house.

Well, without leaving your house except to grab the 5 ingredients needed to make this drink — and now with grocery delivery services becoming so popular, you really don’t even have to leave your house if you don’t want to. One of the few perks about a pandemic, amiright?

Besides this cocktail’s power of teleporting you to a private island, it packs several health aids, as well. Coconut milk, among many other amazing benefits, contains a hefty amount of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, healthy fats to keep you full, and tons of electrolytes. So after you get a sweat in, you could totally refuel with one of these. I mean, I wouldn’t judge you…

It’s also refined-sugar free with the only added sugar of maple syrup, and dairy free — to balance out all of the cheesy and dairy-filled goodies that you should undoubtedly be indulging in this holiday season.

Alright, time to Instacart those ingredients, slip into some festive pjs, turn on a cheesy hallmark movie, blend up this Coconut Milk Punch, and cheers to Christmas being only 3 days away.

Coconut Rum Milk Punch

Serves 3

• 1 - 13.5 oz. can full-fat coconut milk

• 3/4 cup dark rum (could also use bourbon or coconut rum)

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1/4 cup ice cubes

• 1/2 cup coconut water - optional, for a thinner consistency

• fresh, whole nutmeg, for topping

• optional add-ins: 2 tbs. fresh orange juice, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. almond extract, 1 tsp. almond extract + 1 tbs. cocoa powder for Almond Joy flavor)

In a blender, blend the rum, coconut milk, ice, vanilla, and ground nutmeg until completely blended and frothy. The purpose of the ice is purely to help lighten up the drink, thin it out, and make everything frothy and extra cold — it should not be a frozen drink or super icy, it should still be liquid.

If you prefer a thinner drink, add the coconut water in. If you want to play around with other flavors, try out some of my optional add-in suggestions!

Pour into a festive glass, top with freshly grated nutmeg, and drink up!