Are Bacardi Coquito Vegan and Cruelty-Free? The Coconutty Truth

May 23, 2023

Trying to figure out if Bacardi Coquito Coconut Cream Liqueur is safe for vegans can be a bit challenging.

Alcoholic beverages contain a variety of different ingredients, some of which may be of animal origin.

To make sure you’re only consuming foods and drinking alcoholic beverages that align with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Bacardi Coquito.

Here’s what I found.

Is Bacardi Coquito Vegan?

No. Bacardi’s Coquito is not vegan.

Bacardi’s Coquito Coconut Cream Liqueur is made with Bacardi’s Superior Rum, coconut milk, spices, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cinnamon. You can instantly see which ingredients are not vegan.

The use of both evaporated milk and condensed milk makes this beverage not safe for vegan consumption.

These two ingredients are dairy products that come from cow’s milk.

The drink is usually served cold or at room temperature and enjoyed during the Christmas holidays. It became a traditional Christmas drink, not just in Puerto Rico, where Bacardi is produced, but also for many people in Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond.

But if you are vegan, Bacardi Coquito is not the right drink for you. Like many alcohol brands, Bacardi does have a number of vegan products on offer, just not Coquito.

You can, however, make vegan coquito at home with a plethora of available recipes.

With a few simple substitutions, you can easily make a vegan version of this popular Christmas drink.

Is Bacardi Coquito Cruelty-Free?

While this product is not vegan, Bacardi Coquito is a cruelty-free product.

Bacardi does not test their products on animals nor do they allow others to test on their behalf.

The base ingredients for their run are only molasses, yeast, and water. These ingredients are fermented, distilled, filtered, and blended. Testing on animals is not needed for these processes.

Animal testing is a gruesome and outdated practice that often leaves animals disfigured, injured, or dead.

Bacardi’s commitment to not using animals in their testing process is commendable.

What Is Bacardi Coquito Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Bacardi Coquito:

  • Bacardi Superior Rum
  • Cream of coconut
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Evaporated milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon to taste

Let’s break down each ingredient of Bacardi Coquito:

Bacardi Superior Rum

Bacardi Superior Rum is a type of white rum that is made in Puerto Rico. It is distilled from sugarcane juice and molasses. The rum is then aged in white oak barrels for at least one year. Bacardi’s Superior Rum contains almond, lime, and hints of vanilla. This white rum is vegan friendly.

Cream of coconut

Cream of coconut is made from shredded coconut of the coconut palm tree. It contains water, sugar, and fat. The fat in cream coconut is what makes it thick and creamy. This ingredient adds sweetness and creamy flavor to the Coquito. Cream of coconut is vegan.

Sweetened condensed milk

Sweetened condensed milk is a type of milk that has had the water removed from it. It is made by heating milk and sugar until most of the water has evaporated. This leaves a thick, sweetened product that can be used in beverages such as Bacardi’s Coquito mix. Condensed milk is, of course, not vegan.

Evaporated milk

Evaporated milk is a type of milk that has about 60% of the water removed from it. It is made by heating milk until most of the water has evaporated. This leaves a thick, creamy product that can be used in beverages such as Bacardi’s Coquito mix. Evaporated milk is, of course, not vegan.

Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol. This creates a concentrated flavor that can be used in baking, cooking, and cocktails. It is used in Bacardi’s Coquito as a flavoring agent. Vanilla extract is vegan.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a type of spice that is made from the bark of a tree. It has a sweet and woody flavor. Cinnamon is used in Bacardi’s Coquito as a flavoring agent. Cinnamon is vegan.

Why Isn’t Bacardi Coquito Vegan?

This delicious Coquito is not vegan because it contains condensed milk and evaporated milk. These ingredients are milk derivatives and, as a result, are not vegan.

However, you can still enjoy this delicious drink by making your own vegan version at home! This way you could still enjoy the creamy coconut flavor of Bacardi’s Coquito without having to worry about the animal products.

Imagine sipping on this delicious, creamy, and smooth rum while spending quality time with your loved ones during the holidays!

Is Ready-to-Drink Bacardi Rum Punch Vegan?

Yes! Ready-to-Drink Bacardi Rum Punch is vegan. It is a mixture of Bacardi Rum and a blend of pineapple, orange, mango, and a hint of passionfruit.

This rum is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Ready-to-Serve Bacardi Island Punch Vegan?

Yes! Ready-to-Serve Bacardi Island Punch is vegan. It is a combination of Bacardi rum and tropical flavor with guava, hibiscus, pear, and lime flavors.

This rum is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Bacardi Superior Rum Vegan?

Yes! Bacardi Superior Rum is vegan. This is Bacardi’s original mix for rum with almonds, lime, and a hint of vanilla.

This rum is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Bacardi Flavors Limon Rum Vegan?

Yes! Bacardi Flavors Limon Rum is vegan. It is a mix of Bacardi rum with lemon, lime, and grapefruit.

This rum is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Bacardi Spiced Vegan?

No. Bacardi Spiced is not vegan. This spiced rum contains honey, which is derived from animals.

This rum is a non-vegan product.

Vegan Alternatives to Bacardi Coquito

Bacardi Coquito may not be a vegan product, but you can definitely find a vegan alternative to this delicious drink! There are many dairy-free Coquito recipes online that you can make at home. Here are some of my favorites:

You can also use Bacardi’s vegan-friendly Superior White Rum and create your own dairy-free Coquito recipe. Simply substitute the milk ingredients with vegan-friendly ones such as sweetened condensed coconut milk, canned coconut cream, or unsweetened almond milk, and you’re good to go!

Final Words

So, there you have it! Bacardi’s Coquito is not vegan because it contains milk. If you want to enjoy this Puerto Rican favorite, you’ll have to either make your own vegan version or find a recipe that uses Bacardi’s Superior White Rum. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy this delicious drink without having to worry about the animal products! Cheers!