Want to pretend you're on a tropical escape? Whip up this sweet and tart coconut margarita! With just one sip, this fruity coconut margarita will trick you into thinking you're sipping refreshing cocktails on a beach getaway.
Why You Need to Make This Recipe
I love a classic margarita. In fact, I strongly believe everyone should have a go-to classic margarita recipe that ditches the mix and uses only tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice and a touch of simple syrup if desired.
While it's important to have that baseline for a proper margarita, let's make our hearts happy and have some fun with flavored margaritas. So without further ado, I present this coconut margarita recipe!
If you're somewhere tropical or by a pool, I wouldn't blame you for trying to drink your weight in pina coladas -- a noble goal. But why stop at pina coladas? Coconut margaritas bring that same tropical vibe, but served on the rocks, they're not as heavy, which makes them great for pool sipping.
Plus, these tropical margaritas are super easy to whip up. They only require a few ingredients, and you can have this refreshing beach cocktail in hand in under five minutes.
Ingredients
I took the Pepsi Challenge and made these margaritas with both coconut milk and cream of coconut to see how the ingredients compared. Matt and I agreed that cream of coconut was the winner.
Now, the coconut milk was still enjoyable. We certainly finished our drinks without a problem, but the coconut flavor wasn't as prominent. Cream of coconut is also one of the classic ingredients in a pina colada, so it gave that exact sweetness I was craving.
And, yes, I'm sure coconut milk is the healthier option with no artificial ingredients and blah, blah, blah. But come on. We're drinking a coconut margarita here. There's a time and a place for healthful drink options, and it's not when margaritas are involved.
Given that I was going for that kind of sweetness you get in a pina colada, I used 3 ounces of cream of coconut. If you don't like your drinks sweet, you may want to tone down the cream of coconut. But if you're like me and dig pina coladas, 3 ounces should be just right.
Perfect Pairing
My tropical pico de gallo with mango, papaya, toasted coconut and fresh ginger is an obvious choice with this coconut margarita. You also can’t go wrong with a shrimp and grilled pineapple salad.
If you’re craving dessert, my strawberry mojito sorbet is a delicious pairing. You could even throw a scoop of sorbet into your coconut margarita for a fun adult float. And who doesn't love fun adult floats?
So let’s take advantage of this summer weather and make a batch of these coconut margaritas for your next patio dinner. This coconut margarita is everything I love in a summer cocktail, and I hope you love it too.
Cheers!
Need More Margaritas in Your Life?
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Coconut Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Handheld lime juicer
- Jigger or small measuring cup
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cream of coconut not coconut milk or coconut cream (see note)
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce orange liqueur preferably Cointreau or Grand Marnier
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 lime
- Ice
- Honey optional, for garnish
- Coarse sea salt optional, for garnish
- Toasted coconut optional, for garnish
- Additional lime slice optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour cream of coconut, tequila, triple sec and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice. Put the top on the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds.
- Spread the honey on a plate and the sea salt and toasted coconut on another plate. Dip the serving glass in honey and then in the sea salt and toasted coconut. Add ice to the glass and strain the shaken margarita into the glass. Garnish with a lime slice.
Notes
- There is a difference between coconut milk, coconut cream and cream of coconut. They are all three different products. Cream of coconut is typically found in the grocery aisle with drink mixers. It has a syrup-like consistency.
- 3 ounces of cream of coconut makes a drink that's sweet like a pina colada. If you prefer your margaritas less sweet, you might prefer to half the amount of cream of coconut.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This coconut margarita is so refreshing and the perfect summer cocktail. I love the addition of a touch of honey.
It's all so delicious together!
Yum! My husband and I are going to love these for tonight! Looks and sounds absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to make these!
Sounds like a fun evening!
This is the most perfect margarita recipe for summertime! I have sent this to my husband to make me asap!!
You will both love it!
Sign me up for pretending I'm on a tropical escape! This coconut margarita looks so good. Can't wait to sit out in the heat sipping on this drink. Will make it soon!
Get ready for some tropical vibes! 😀🍹
I can't wait to try this recipe this weekend! This is the perfect summer poolside drink... love it!
I truly can’t think of a better pool drink!
Coconut is such a perfect summer ingredient! And I agree with your about coconut cream, that's a perfect ingredient for summer tropical drinks.
I've been looking all over for a cocktail recipe that I like. Most are too sour or too strong, but this one was just perfect. Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome!
At a time when it's not easy to get away to a beach, this margarita is just what my husband and I need. I can't wait to make this and enjoy the outdoor summer. Thank you, it looks so great!
Awww, I’m so glad this can bring some tropical vibes to you both!
This looks absolutely amazing! Cannot wait to make these this weekend!
I’ll cheers to that!
This coconut drink looks so refreshing!
It will totally take you to the beach!
This will be perfect for summer BBQ parties. Love how easy it is to make, thanks for sharing!
You're so welcome!
This is so creamy and super delicious. I love the combination. Presentation superb.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.
I'm right there with you on enjoying margaritas with a little twist. This recipe is part of my roundup of luau party cocktails - https://sipbitego.com/tropical-drink-recipes/
Cheers!
Thanks so much for including it! Everything on the roundup looks tasty. ?
This looks so good! Regarding Triple Sec/Grand Marnier ... I'd use Triple Sec which has a "neutral" alcohol base rather than Grand Marnier which has a brandy base. Big cost difference too, which would allow me to go for top-shelf Tequila. Just a thought.
Good point on the cost! While I'm a big Grand Marnier fan, I don't necessarily use it every time I make margaritas. It's more for when I feel like a good splurge. Other times, I'm perfectly happy with regular triple sec. 🙂