Making the tea. In a small pot over high heat, add the water, ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. Cook for 10 minutes. Strain and let it cool.
Make the coquito. In a blender, add 1 cup of the tea, coconut milk, coconut cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and vanilla. Mix for 1 minute on high. Add the rum if you like and mix for a few more seconds.
Bottle the coquito in a glass bottle or serve immediately over ice and garnish. Buen provecho.
Notes
You can choose to add rum or leave it out. For each serving is 1 ounce of rum of any rum you like. If you want to serve this to kids and adults as well, don't add the rum. Just add 1 ounce of rum per serving for adults.
Yield. Each drink is a little less than 8 ounces, without the ounce of rum.