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This coconut margarita recipe is the cocktail you didn’t know you were missing! It’s zingy and creamy, pairing lime and tequila with coconut.
Here’s a drink that’s creamy, cool, refreshing and an absolute must for any margarita lover. Alex and I have tasted over 30 fruity and margarita recipes, and this coconut margarita to the top. It’s not like any other margarita spin you’ve tried!
Coconut pairs perfectly with the zing of lime and bite of tequila. The best part? The toasted coconut drink rim gives you a crunchy, tropical infusion to each sip. We love all our margarita recipes, but this one—this one is special.
Ingredients in a coconut margarita
The margarita was invented in Mexico in the 1930’s, and today remains one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time. The Classic Margarita has just 3 ingredients: tequila, triple sec and lime juice. For the coconut spin, add cream of coconut for a creamy, tropical flair. It’s truly magnificent! Here are the ingredients you’ll need for a coconut margarita:
- Tequila
- Triple Sec (or Cointreau)
- Lime juice
- Cream of coconut (not coconut cream)
- Sweetened shredded coconut, for the rim
Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream
The most important thing about this coconut margarita is getting the right coconut product. Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream! A rule of thumb: opt for the squeeze bottle, not the can. What’s the difference?
- Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup used for cocktails made with coconut cream and sugar. It’s sold in squeeze bottles to make it easy to add to drinks. Cream of coconut is easy to find online or liquor stores (a popular brand is Coco Real).
- Coconut cream is unsweetened: it’s thick with a strong coconut flavor, sold in cans next to the coconut milk. Coconut cream is made from chilling coconut milk and then skimming off the layer of cream that floats to the top.
Tip: To use up the bottle, try popular coconut cocktails like the Piña Colada, Painkiller, Chi Chi, Coconut Martini, or Bushwacker!
Tips for the toasted coconut rim
The best part of this coconut margarita recipe is the toasted coconut rim! Drink rims are more than just visual: they add a crunch and pop of toasty flavor to each sip. Here’s what to know about making this tropical drink rim:
- Toast the coconut. Here’s how to toast coconut, which accentuates the coconut flavor. Make sure to keep an eye on it: coconut can burn in a flash!
- Use the cream of coconut to adhere the coconut. Alex had a stroke of genius with this drink: he used the cream of coconut to stick the coconut to the glass. It works like a charm!
- Dip the rim in cream of coconut, then a plate of toasted coconut. You’ll just want the outer edge of the glass to be covered. It takes a little time, but it’s worth it for the flavor.
Make a pitcher for a crowd
Serving a crowd? Mix up a coconut margarita pitcher instead! A pitcher is more efficient because it makes 8 servings in just 5 minutes! You’ll mix 8 times the ingredients with 3 large handfuls of ice in a pitcher. The ice is important because it dilutes the drink and simulates shaking in a cocktail shaker.
Frequently asked questions
You can save your coconut margarita if you buy the wrong one. Here’s what to do: Use ½ ounce coconut cream and ½ ounce simple syrup in place of the 1 ounce cream of coconut.
A good quality blanco tequila works best. Blanco tequila has a clean, crisp flavor that lets the other ingredients shine.
Creamy Coconut Margarita
This coconut margarita recipe is the cocktail you didn’t know you were missing! It’s zingy and creamy, pairing lime and tequila with coconut.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- Sweetened shredded coconut, for the rim
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- ½ ounce triple sec (or Cointreau)
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce cream of coconut (not coconut cream — see Notes)
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
Instructions
- Toast the coconut. Remove it from the heat and place it in a single layer on a plate.
- Add a bit of extra cream of coconut to a separate plate and dip the edge of the rim of the glass into it. Then dip the rim into the plate of toasted coconut.
- Place the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and cream of coconut in a cocktail shaker and add one handful ice. Shake until cold. Strain the margarita into the glass with the coconut rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
- For a pitcher: add 2 cups tequila, ½ cup triple sec, ½ cup lime juice, and 1 cup cream of coconut to a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir.
Notes
*You can save your coconut margarita if you accidentally buy coconut cream. Here’s what to do: Use ½ ounce coconut cream and ½ ounce simple syrup in place of the 1 ounce cream of coconut.
More unique margarita recipes
- Go for a pink margarita like the Hibiscus Margarita, Prickly Pear Margarita or Blueberry Margarita.
- Try the Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita for a cool and spicy twist, opt for fruity with Spicy Pineapple Margarita or Passion Fruit Margarita.
- Go funky with a Beet Margarita or Espresso Margarita, or mix up an ocean-colored Blue Margarita.
More cocktail
Love this drink. Great way to relax and cool off on va hot summer day. A couple mods:
* I cut down on the tequila a bit. For the 2x version I use 3oz instead of 4. Makes the drink a bit less bitter.
* While making a second serving I ran out of white tequila so I substituted 1oz of triple distilled dark tequila. Really made it a smooth drink.
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I just tried this, because I had extra cream OF coconut after making a Piña Colada. I like it more than a Piña Colada!
Where do you purchase cream of coconut? I live in Canada
You can find it online if your liquor store doesn’t carry it.
Wow, too good. And the garnish and serving process is mind-blowing.
Is it any kind of salt that you put beside the glass to garnish?
We skip the salt for this one.
Thank you so much for this recipe, it looks delicious! I’m looking forward to making this for my best friend and business partner! I appreciate you guy’s 💋
Great recipe! I rimmed my glass with honey and then rolled it in the toasted coconut. So good!
Loved this drink! Delicious!
thank you, I would have bought the coconut cream if you didn’t make it clear – cream of coconut! – thank you! An elevation of the classic margarita, nicely done!