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.
I’m living in and writhing this from Aruba and I am excited to find this recipe. I JUST saw this cream of coconut in Do it Center Aruba and I now know what to do with it. Never thought of making a coconut Margherita and this is sublime.
Oh, fun! I'm so glad you got to enjoy one in Aruba. That sounds wonderful!
I have nevet made Margheritas, however you really have made it easy and love the pinacolada flavors in this. I coukd totally see Nicoletta and I relaxing in the backyard sipping this drink. It looks tropical and always can use that vibe! Well done!
Thank you! You two will love it!
When I saw your photo on Pinterest I knew I had to make the Coconut Margarita for the friends that were boing to stop by. They loved the drink and so did I. I was hoping they didn't want refills so I could have plenty of the cream of coconut left over. Unfortunately I'm going to have to buy more. The drink was so good all the makings are gone.
Nice! Sounds like it was a good time!
I am so happy I found your drink recipe via Pinterest! I was so excited to make this after coming to your blog and seeing just how delicious and refreshing looking all the pictures were. The recipe came out great, and the family loved it. I am passing the recipe link to a few friends from work! Have a great day!
Awww, thank you so much, Heidi!
Your coconut margarita recipe is such a perfect drink for this hot weather.
It looks delicious and refreshing!
Thanks for sharing, Amy! It really is perfect for hot summer days.
Oh my...I'm so in love with coconut margarita. Perfectly sweet, good, and a perfect drink to transport me to a tropical island
I'm so glad you love it!
Yes! The answer is yes, I do want to pretend I'm on a tropical vacay. This coconut margarita is the perfect drink way to transport you there!!
For sure! It's just so beachy.
I will take ALL the margaritas, please! Your recipe had the perfect sweet coconut flavor. Thank you for sharing,
So glad you loved it! I just can't get enough.
Will surely make this again, fam really loves it! Thanks a lot for sharing this coconut margarita! Highly recommended!
Thank you, Allyssa! So glad everyone loved it!