The Twelve Nightmares of Christmas Returns!

That’s right! This year makes lucky number seven for the collaboration between myself and Darren Marlar, of Weird Darkness. Start off here, then hop over to his site, http://www.weirddarkness.com for more spooky treats. (Right now he’s gearing up for the holidays too, with The Twelve Slays of Christmas. FUN!)

Let’s start off by getting in the spirit of the season. Here’s a recipe for a truly delightful holiday drink called coquito. It’s sort of like eggnog, but not all recipes use eggs (and there are loads of recipes besides the one given here). The creamy drink, tasting faintly of coconut and liberally laced with rum, comes from Puerto Rico. I whipped up a batch this morning, and GOSH it is good.

Coquito

1 can evaporated milk

1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced

3 cinnamon sticks

1 t whole cloves

1-2 star anise pods

1 can coconut milk

1 can condensed milk

1 can cream of coconut

1 1/2 c rum

Pour evaporated milk into a small saucepan. Add spices. Bring to a quick boil, then simmer for three minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

Pour the spiced milk through a sieve. Pick out cinnamon sticks and set the aside. Put the other spices in the compost (or leave the ginger slices in for this next step).

Put spiced milk and all other ingredients in a blender. (It will be FULL.) Blend thoroughly at medium speed. Pour into a glass bottle and add cinnamon sticks back in. Chill overnight; store in fridge. Serve cold with a dusting of cinnamon.

Pour yourself a big glass of this lovely creamy dreamy concoction, and settle back into your favorite chair for twelve days of Christmas ghost fun. And do visit Darren over at http://www.weirddarkness.com . He’d love to see you!

Does this look amazing or what?