Haitian Kremas

Every time I make Haitian Kremas, I’m instantly transported home. I can hear the music playing softly in the background, smell the food cooking in the kitchen, and feel the joy of family gathered together. Kremas (also spelled Cremas) isn’t just a drink — it’s a celebration in a glass.

This creamy, coconut-based drink is a Haitian classic. Rich, smooth, and beautifully spiced, it’s made for the holidays — especially Christmas and New Year’s. Think of it as Haiti’s answer to eggnog, only better. 

No eggs, just pure coconut goodness, milk, sugar, and warm spices that make every sip feel like a hug.

What is Haitian Kremas?

Kremas is a beloved Haitian holiday drink made with a mixture of coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, warm spices, vanilla, and a hint of rum (optional, but traditional).

It’s luxuriously creamy and perfectly sweet, with a balance of spice and brightness from fresh lime juice.

Unlike coquito or eggnog, Haitian Kremas is egg-free, making it smoother and lighter while still rich in flavor. 

Every family has their own twist — some make it thicker, some sweeter, and others add extra spice. No matter the version, it’s a drink that connects Haitians everywhere to home and heritage.

It has been a part of our Haitian Independence from the very beginning alongside our Soup Joumou, and both has remained the ultimate celebratory food and drink since January 1, 1804, when we gained our independence.

Kremas is one of our many delicacies. Just like our most beloved foods like our Haitian Black Rice (Diri Djon Djon), Soup Joumou (vegan soup Joumou), and Conch also known as (Haitian) Lambi, Haitian Kremas require lots of love, attention, and most of all patience.

A Taste of Home in Every Sip – Ingredients You’ll Need

Coconut is the MAIN INGREDIENT to make this iconic drink and finishes off with our Haitian Rhum Barbancourt or Vodka if you can’t find the Haitian Rum. 

If prepared properly, the drink will be a creamy color with specks of the spices that are used; cinnamon, star anise, and nutmeg which are also key to making this drink even more delicious. 

Here’s what you’ll need to make authentic Haitian Kremas — and why each ingredient matters:

Coconut: As we are unable to find real coconut in our region during this time of year, we are utilizing cream of coconut as a replacement.

We will continue to hunt for the real coconuts, and we will update this article as soon as we are able to find it, in order to provide you two different methods on how to make this delicious drink with ease.

• Evaporated milk – adds richness and a silky texture.
• Sweetened condensed milk – gives sweetness and thickness, provide richness to the drink including giving the cremas body, used to sweeten the drink.
• Unsweetened Coconut milk – the foundation of the drink; use full-fat for best results. provide richness to the drink including giving the cremas body.
• Cream of coconut – enhances that signature coconut flavor. Best to use cream of coconut as a replacement to real coconut, as it will provide that extra creaminess we are looking, the texture that is highly sought-after and that is found in Haitian Kremas. 
• Sugar – balances the tang and strengthens the sweetness.
• Cinnamon sticks & star anise – warm spice notes that make the drink festive.
• Bèlans – a touch of comfort and depth.
• Vanilla & almond extract – round out the authentic Haitian Kremas flavor. Is used to add warmth to the drink. Making you feel extra cozy and into the holiday spirit. 
• Lime juice – brightens the drink and slightly thickens it naturally. Using lime and or lime zest will add light acidity to the drink. But more importantly, it is used to marry all the ingredients together and thicken the milk that was added, making the drink ultra-creamy and rich. 
• Rum or vodka (optional) – for the traditional holiday version; use Barbancourt if you have it! Last step but completely optional, is only added to add some oomph to the drink.

How to Make Haitian Kremas (Step by Step)

We strongly recommend you do not blend the ingredients as it is not the authentic way to make kremas.

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Tips for the Best Haitian Kremas

✨ Low and slow: Heat too high can cause curdling or burning — gentle heat makes it silky. To further infuse the spices, you’ll let your mixture sit for at least 4 to 6 hours or overnight. This is going to bring out the flavors so beautifully, so do not skip this step. After 4 to 6 hours or the next day, strain your mixture to remove the spices.

Some Haitian kremas recipes are quicker and do not require the infusion step and instead blend the ingredients. We strongly recommend you do not blend the ingredients as it is not the authentic way to make kremas. 

When infusing your ingredients, make sure to use whole spices as they are pungent and will provide that robust flavor that is often and naturally found in cremas. 

🥥 Use good coconut milk: Full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk gives the creamiest texture.

🍋 Fresh lime is key: Don’t skip it — it cuts through the sweetness perfectly.

🎁 Perfect for gifting: Bottle it up and share it with friends and family during the holidays. Rum is optional in Haitian kremas, and it is to be added at the very end of the recipe.

❄️ Shake before serving: The ingredients naturally separate when chilled.

Vegan or Dairy-Free Option

Want to make a vegan or dairy-free kremas? Just swap a few ingredients:

• Use coconut condensed milk instead of regular condensed milk.
• Replace evaporated milk with extra coconut milk or a coconut-based evaporated milk alternative.

The flavor stays true — creamy, coconutty, and spiced to perfection.

Do I Have To Use Fresh Coconut?

Traditionally, Haitian Kremas / Haitian Cremas contains freshly squeezed coconut milk, made from grated and soaked coconut flesh. Then the milk is slowly boiled while the other ingredients are added one at a time. 

It tastes a lot better than the canned stuff and makes for a smoother Kremas. However, it does require patience and more work. Because it surely takes a good amount of time.

This is where Cream of coconut comes in! If you’ve never used cream of coconut before, it is like heavy cream made with coconut. 

How To Make Vegan (Dairy-Free) Kremas?

Making your Kremas vegan (or dairy free) isn’t difficult. Simply replace the sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk. And instead of using evaporated milk, use additional coconut milk. 

Add in the other ingredients and allow to heat through as mentioned above. When the time is up, strain the drink and allow cooling before adding in the rum. 

What Kind Of Rum Do I Use?

Haitian Rum is best used in this drink as it provides a specific flavor. If you do not have Haitian Rum, that’s perfectly fine as you can also use any clear rum or vodka. 

Are There Eggs In Haitian Kremas?

That’s the beauty about this drink and that’s what make it so incredibly easy to prepare, and it has a vegan option. It contains no eggs. 

How to Store Cremas

• In the fridge: Store in sealed bottles or jars for up to 9 months.
• Room temperature (unopened): Up to a year if stored in a cool, dark place.
• Freezer: You can freeze it (without alcohol) for up to 12 months. Just thaw and shake before serving.

Serving Ideas

Serve kremas chilled in small glasses with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg on top. It pairs beautifully with:

Haitian Cake (Gâteau Ayisyen)

Haitian Patties

Fried Plantains

Haitian Beignets

Or simply enjoy it by itself after dinner.

For parties, pour into mini bottles, tie a ribbon around each, and gift them to friends. It’s one of the most thoughtful ways to share a little taste of Haiti.

More Desserts To Enjoy With Your Drink 

Aside from our delicious Haitian Cake, we recommend you pair it with one of these cakes. 

Strawberry Cake

Bailey’s Irish Cream Cupcake

Air Fryer Cheese cake

Saffron Cake

Air Fryer Orange Cake

Easy Plantain Bread

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Authentic Haitian Kremas Recipe — Creamy, Coconut, and Perfectly Spiced

Kremas will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a holiday drink — it’s part of our identity, our joy, and our story. Every batch I make feels like a love letter to Haiti and to the memories of home.

Similar to the eggnog but without the eggs, Haitian Kremas / Cremas is a perfect twist on a classic holiday drink.

5 from 12 votes

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Course: Desserts, Drinks

Cuisine: Haitian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Resting Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 25 Servings

Author: Savory Thoughts

Equipment

• Large Saucepan

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 Can 12 Oz. Carnation Evaporated Milk
• ▢ 1 Can 14 Oz. Condensed Milk
• ▢ 2 Cans 13 FL Oz. Unsweetened Coconut Milk Plus 1 Cup
• ▢ 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• ▢ 5 Star Anise
• ▢ 2 Tsp. Belans
• ▢ 2 Cans 22 Oz. (Each) Cream Of Coconut
• ▢ 4 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 2 Tsp. Almond Extract
• ▢ 1½ Cup White Sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp. of Salt
• ▢ 2 Juice from 2 limes plus zest; Zest is optional but recommended
• ▢ 1 Cup Haitian Rum; or more if needed

Instructions

• To begin, from start to finish over low heat, start by adding the Carnation milk. Then add in the coconut milk while stirring to combine. Continue stirring until the coconut milk has dissolved completely. Then add in the Cream Of Coconut Milk and Condensed Milk. Continue stirring in a circular motion until completely dissolved.
  
• Next, add in the sugar, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Continue stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.

  Once you have added all of the ingredients, allow the Kremas to heat through. DO NOT bring it to boil as this will cause your Kremas to burn at the bottom of the saucepan and not thicken when the lime is added.

  Continue to heat through over low heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour; stirring in a circular motion often.

  Next, use a sieve to strain the Kremas. Allow the Kremas to sit and cool for 4 to 6 hours but best overnight.

  After straining and allowing the drink to completely cool. Squeeze fresh lime juice in the drink while stirring. You may also zest the lime before adding in the juice. This is completely optional.

  Lastly add the rum or vodka. When you are done, transfer the drink in a bottle. Refrigerate and enjoy as desired. 
  

Video

Notes

Put your milk in a saucepan over low heat and watch it to make sure it does not boil. Remember: low and slow. 

To further infuse the spices, you’ll let your mixture sit for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Rum is optional in Haitian kremas, and it is to be added at the very end of the recipe. 

Opened bottled Haitian kremas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 months. If you’re unsure whether to drink it, check to see if it is carbonated. If it has, do not drink it.  Remember Kremas does naturally separate. Shake it well and serve it exactly how you did the first time, and enjoy!

 

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Calories are estimated per serving. 

 

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