Here in the Florida Panhandle we have long known that Pensacola was first settled before our
Floridian sister city, St. Augustine established her roots. However, it may surprise you to know
that there is an even older American city. Established in 1521, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is
actually the oldest city in the United States. Yes, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United
States and those born there, from Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente to actress Rita Moreno to
singer Bad Bunny are American citizens. We share the same President and the same military,
and United States residents need no passports to cross the Caribbean waters from the
mainland to enter the beautiful island.
Like Alabama football or California surfing, or as any state that has its own outstanding
traditions, Puerto Rico has many unique traditions that bear exploring. One of those traditional
celebrations happens this month. Dia de los Reyes, or the feast of the Three Kings Day, is
January 6th, the twelfth night after Christmas. As the majority of the rest of our country take
down their Christmas tree, pack away their ornaments and begins sweetly reminiscing, the
Puerto Rican island natives gear up to continue the celebration.
Although in modern times, Puerto Ricans may exchange gifts throughout the season, and even
on December 25th, the traditional present exchange happens on January 6 th , corresponding
with the Bible story of three wise men finding baby Jesus and presenting him with gifts.
Children expect to find gifts under their beds in exchange for the little box of grass or hay they
gathered and left there for the kings’s horses the night before. Naturally, this great holiday
became a pivotal family celebration, over the course of twelve days of Christmas, with food and
drink, gifts, and visits from loved ones overflowing.
Puerto Rico is 99% Christian-based in their beliefs and the biblical roots of their traditions take
center stage in just about every walk of life. The Fiesta de los Reyes Magos is no different.
Symbolizing the gifts the Magi brought to baby Jesus in the biblical story, each year, three men
dress up in king costumes passing out candy to children and spreading words of cheer and
wishing blessings to all as they travel. Typically the merry band of kings will ultimately arrive at a
live Nativity reenactment in churches and town centers. They may make a visit to a lucky
household along the way. These individual homes are celebrating as they wait with three kings
figurines, often set under a tree or on a prominent tabletop where children may find more gifts to
be opened during the festivities. The women will have prepared feasts of lechon asado,
pasteles, arroz con gandules or mofongo. The bar is set with shots of coconut infused rum,
perhaps, and Coquitos.
During this season many families partake in the Parranda. The impromptu caroling sessions
typically start late, and as is the case with all other Puerto Rican customs, hospitality is key.
Friends, families, and neighbors gather in residential streets to sing charming tunes in
celebration, waiting for the family inside to hear them. The home is opened, no matter the hour,
and the hosts welcome the carolers in for a bite to eat and a toast. Ultimately the singing group
moves on with the hosts in tow to enlarge the group of revelers and enhance the festivities,
moving onto another street, another household. Just as Christmas carols are prevalent during
the weeks leading up to Three Kings Day, specific songs have been written to celebrate this
day, too. Favorites such as “Allegre Vengo,” “Si No Me Dan de Beber,” and “Hacia Belen” give
clues as to the emphasis on food, drink, happiness, and love of the season, in addition to the
biblical significance of the holiday.
Many cities on the island have parades in honor of the Reyes Magos. San Juan, the capital,
always has festivities, or you can consider a short drive west to the festival in Isabela, which
includes two full days of musical entertainment. Juana Diaz, in southern Puerto Rico boasts the
largest celebration and parade on the island.
If you can't make it to Puerto Rico during the spectacular holiday season, you can always enjoy
the year round eighty-degree weather, and fly down any time of the year. Consider taking a
short drive from the Ponce Airport, or a two hour plus drive from the main airport (SJU), to
Juana Diaz, to view the island's largest Three Kings museum. While you're there, carve out time
for the beaches, the bioluminescent bays, and the magnificent rainforest. Whenever you visit,
you’re sure to find this 100 mile long x 35 mile wide Caribbean island, enchanting, beautiful, and
well worth the trip.
Coquito
Named the #1 Best Alcoholic Mixed Drink in the World by TasteAtlas, 2025
As January unfolds and the Feast of the Three Kings—El Día de los Reyes—arrives, many households around the world, especially Puerto Rican ones, continue to revel in the lingering magic of the holiday season. And with that celebration comes one certainty: there is always more Coquito to sip, share, and savor.
If you haven’t yet experienced this luxuriously creamy, coconut-forward holiday drink, you’ve been missing out—or you might simply need a Puerto Rican friend in your life. Even Jimmy Fallon can’t resist it; he famously wrote a song celebrating its irresistible charm. Think of it as eggnog’s more sophisticated, more delicious Caribbean cousin.
Luckily, you don’t need an abuela or a close amiga to enjoy a bottle at home. This shortcut recipe delivers all the warmth, spice, and award-winning flavor with minimal effort.
Shortcut Coquito Recipe
Ingredients
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 can coconut milk
• ½ can coconut cream
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• ½ cup Don Q Cristal or Don Q Oro rum
• 1 empty bottle (glass preferred)
Instructions
1. Place the two cinnamon sticks inside your clean, empty bottle.
2. Add all remaining ingredients to a blender.
3. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes until smooth and fully combined.
4. Pour the mixture into the bottle.
5. Cork tightly and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors bloom.
To Serve
• Add ice cubes to a chilled martini glass.
• Shake the Coquito well inside its bottle.
• Pour into the glass and finish with a dusting of cinnamon and a strip of orange peel.
• Garnish with an extra cinnamon stick, if desired.
Rich, festive, and impossibly comforting—Coquito is the perfect way to toast the New Year while keeping the spirit of the holidays alive just a little longer. Salud!