New York - Eight years ago, Debbie Quinones went on a quest for the perfect coquito, an eggnog-like Puerto Rican holiday drink.She wanted to carry on a tradition started after the maker of the best coquito in her neighborhood of Spanish Harlem died. Realizing the woman had taken her recipe with her, Quinones invited friends and family to her home to see who could whip up the best recipe.

She wanted to carry on a tradition started after the maker of the best coquito in her neighborhood of Spanish Harlem died. Realizing the woman had taken her recipe with her, Quinones invited friends and family to her home to see who could whip up the best recipe."It became a way to celebrate the Puerto Rican culinary experience and validate it," Quinones said. The coquito is an especially rich, intoxicating riff on eggnog - one cookbook author has called it "Puerto Rican moonshine."

"It became a way to celebrate the Puerto Rican culinary experience and validate it," Quinones said. The coquito is an especially rich, intoxicating riff on eggnog - one cookbook author has called it "Puerto Rican moonshine."- Associated Press

- Associated Press