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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Published: Mar 24, 2023 by alexandra · This post may contain affiliate links

    Best Ever Coconut Margarita

    Jump to Recipe
    A coconut margarita in a rocks glass with a toasted coconut rim and text overlay that says "Coconut Margarita".

    Looking for a tropical twist on a classic cocktail? This simple Coconut Margarita recipe will be right up your alley. Combining the creamy and refreshing taste of coconut with a tangy kick of lime, this drink is the perfect way to transport yourself to a beachy paradise. So grab your shaker - that’s all you’ll need to make this easy 5-minute cocktail!

    A coconut margarita in a rocks glass with a toasted coconut rim. this recipe

    If margaritas are your go-to drink, this cocktail recipe was made for you. It takes a traditional margarita and infuses it with the sweet and creamy flavor of coconut, for a drink that’ll make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation, even if it’s 30ºF outside. Think pina colada level tropical vibes, but soooo much better. 

    Whether you're hosting happy hour or just unwinding after a long day, this coconut lime margarita recipe is the perfect cocktail to serve for the occasion. So let's get started and mix ourselves up a little adult beverage, shall we?

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Highlights
    • Coconut Margarita Ingredients
    • How to Make a Coconut Margarita
    • How to Toast Coconut
    • Quick Margarita Tips
    • More Must-Try Cocktail Recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • 💬 Comments and Reviews

    Recipe Highlights

    I take my cocktails seriously - and so should you! Here’s why this one checks the boxes:

    • Simple Ingredients: You can get everything you’ll need for this recipe at your local grocery store. There’s no need to trek your way over to a specialty liquor store for obscure ingredients.
    • Quick and Easy: I like to serve this coconut margarita on the rocks, which means all you’ll need to make it is a cocktail shaker and a strainer. It takes less than 5 minutes to whip one up!
    • Perfect Flavor: Does this cocktail taste like sweet, creamy coconut? Absolutely. Does it taste like you're drinking straight sugar? Absolutely not. The lime flavor evens things out, for a tart-sweet balance that's spot on - the perfect summer cocktail.

    Coconut Margarita Ingredients

    Let’s take a quick look at the 6 ingredients you’ll need to make this tropical coconut cocktail recipe:

    Agave syrup, heavy cream, toasted coconut flakes, limes, cream of coconut, and tequila.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • You can buy toasted coconut flakes, but it’s easy to toast your own on the stovetop. Sweetened flakes will give you the best flavor for this recipe - they’ll be used to make a toasted coconut rim that truly makes this margarita at least twice as good.
    • I used silver tequila since it tends to be my preference, but a reposado will also work - it’ll just give you a slightly different flavor profile.
    • You’ll need cream of coconut for this cocktail, which is not the same thing as coconut cream. Cream of coconut is sweet, which is why there’s no need for simple syrup, triple sec, or any sort of orange liqueur in this drink. Don’t try to substitute this!
    • Freshly-squeezed lime juice is always best in cocktails. (If you hate squeezing them by hand, invest in a citrus juicer!)

    Tip!

    Make sure your cream of coconut is at room temperature for this recipe (not chilled). If it’s too cold (and thick), you can spoon it into a microwave-safe container and warm it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to thin it out.

    How to Make a Coconut Margarita

    Step one: Dip the rim of your serving glass (I like to use a rocks glass) into a shallow bowl of agave syrup (similar to the one used in the photo above) to coat the top ½" in syrup. Then, dip it into a bowl filled with toasted coconut flakes to coat the rim of the glass in coconut.

    Step two: In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, cream of coconut, and heavy cream. Add a handful of ice cubes, cover, and shake well.

    Rocks glass with toasted coconut rim.
    Step One
    A coconut margarita shaken in a cocktail shaker.
    Step Two

    Step three: Add fresh ice to your prepared glass. Strain the margarita into the glass, add a lime wedge if you're feeling extra fancy, and enjoy!

    A coconut margarita in a rocks glass with a toasted coconut rim.

    How to Toast Coconut

    To toast your own sweetened coconut flakes for this recipe, place them in a small skillet set over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for just a few minutes, until the coconut flakes are golden.

    Remove the toasted flakes from the pan immediately to prevent them from burning. Let them cool before using them to rim your cocktail glass.

    Quick Margarita Tips

    What is cream of coconut, and where can I find it?

    Cream of coconut is a sweetened version of coconut cream (think of it like the difference between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk). Some brands, such as Coco Lopez, come in a can, while others, like Coco Real, come in a squeeze bottle. You should be able to find coconut cream with the cocktail mixers in the liquor section of the grocery store, or at a liquor store such as BevMo!

    What’s the best tequila for a margarita?

    This is somewhat a matter of preference. If you prefer a lighter flavor, use silver tequila (or tequila blanco). If you prefer something slightly richer, you can opt for a reposado. Corralejo and Casamigos are my current favorite brands - the latter has a hint of vanilla that I think would pair really well with the coconut in this recipe!

    What’s the secret to making a great margarita?

    I firmly believe that the key is to use a minimal amount of high-quality ingredients. My go-to, classic margarita recipe - what I like to call the 3 2 1 margarita - uses just 3 ingredients, and this version only adds one more (excluding the garnish, of course). Use good tequila, fresh lime juice, and absolutely nothing that involves a mix, and you’ll be well on your way to a great cocktail.

    Can I turn this into a coconut margarita mocktail?

    Sure! Just substitute the tequila with sparkling water/club soda. You'll get all of the tropical flavor, with none of the alcohol!

    Coconut margaritas with lime wedges.

    More Must-Try Cocktail Recipes

    As much as I love these coconut margaritas, I'd be remiss not to recommend a few of my other most popular recipes!

    • A mojito in a mason jar garnished with lime and mint, surrounded by recipe ingredients.
      Easy Strawberry Mint Mojito
    • Front view of two gin fizz cocktails with lemon wedges, basil leaves, cucumber soda, and elderflower liqueur in the background.
      Cucumber Gin Fizz with Basil & Mint
    • Raspberry limoncello vodka cocktail served in a martini glass.
      Raspberry Limoncello Cocktail
    • Two orange mojitos served in highball glasses, garnished with fresh mint sprigs.
      The Mimosa Mojito

    Have you made this recipe?

    If so, I'd love to hear your feedback; you can leave a rating and review in the comments section below! It's also so helpful if you help spread the word by sharing this post on your favorite social media channel. If you happen to snap a photo of what you've baked, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me (@brighteyedbaker) so I can give you a shoutout!

    Print

    Recipe Card

    Coconut Margarita

    Two coconut margaritas with lime wedges.
    Print Recipe
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    This easy coconut margarita recipe might not literally transport you to paradise, but it'll make you feel like you're halfway there. With a strong coconut flavor and tangy twist of lime, it's a little sweet, a little tart, perfectly creamy, and so simple to make!

    • Author: alexandra
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: beverages
    • Method: cocktail shaker

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • agave syrup, for rimming glass
    • toasted coconut flakes, for rimming glass
    • 1 ½ ounces tequila
    • ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
    • 1 ½ ounces cream of coconut
    • ⅓ ounce heavy cream
    • ice

    Instructions

    1. Dip the rim of your serving glass into a shallow bowl of agave syrup to coat the top ½" in syrup. Then, dip it into a bowl filled with toasted coconut flakes to coat the rim of the glass in coconut.
    2. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, cream of coconut, and heavy cream. Add a handful of ice cubes, cover, and shake well.
    3. Add fresh ice to serving glass. Strain margarita into the glass and serve.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

    • Be sure to use cream of coconut - not coconut cream. Coco Lopez and Coco Real are two of the brands most commonly available in stores.
    • Silver/blanco or reposado tequila will work for this recipe - use whatever variety you tend to prefer. My go-to brands are Corralejo and Casamigos.

    Toasting Coconut Flakes:

    • Place sweetened coconut flakes in a small skillet set over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for just a few minutes, until golden. Remove from pan immediately and let cool before using.

    Coconut Margarita Mocktail:

    • Substitute tequila with sparkling water or club soda to make a mocktail.

    Keywords: coconut margarita, easy coconut margarita, tropical cocktail, coconut cocktail, coconut margarita mocktail

    Have you made this recipe?

    Tag @brighteyedbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #brighteyedbaker

    Digiprove sealCopyright protected by Digiprove © 2023

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    1. Sandra says

      March 27, 2023 at 2:03 pm

      What aisle is cream of coconut? Is it in a can or bottle? Is it dated?

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        March 29, 2023 at 3:06 pm

        At a typical grocery store, I would check the liquor aisle - specifically where they keep the cocktail mixers. You can also find it at stores like BevMo or Total Wine. The brand I bought (Coco Lopez) comes in a can, but Coco Real (another common brand) comes in a squeeze bottle. Either should last for at least a couple of months if refrigerated after opening!

        Reply

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    about-me

    Hey There! Thanks for stopping by! Here's what you can expect to find on Bright-Eyed Baker: lots of baked goods and other sweets made from scratch (many of which are gluten-free), plus the occasional savory recipe or mixed drink. My goal is to show you that from-scratch baking - gluten-free or not! - doesn't have to be intimidating. Learn more about me.

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