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.

Here’s a drink that’s creamy, cool, refreshing and an absolute must for any margarita lover: this Coconut Margarita recipe! After trying 30+ margarita variations, this one rose to the top because it’s not like any other margarita variation 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 making sure to buy the right coconut product. Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream! A good rule of thumb? Opt for the squeeze bottle, not the can. Here’s more about what to know:

• Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup used for cocktails. It’s made with coconut cream and sugar. It’s sold in handy squeeze bottles to make it easy to add to drinks. Cream of coconut is easy to find online or at your local liquor store. A popular brand is Coco Real.
• Coconut cream is unsweetened! It’s thick with a strong coconut flavor and 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.

Want help using up the cream of coconut bottle? Try popular coconut cocktails like the Piña Colada, Painkiller, Chi Chi, Coconut Martini or Bushwacker!

What if you accidentally buy coconut cream?

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 ounces cream of coconut.

How to make a toasted coconut rim!

The best part of this coconut margarita recipe? The toasted coconut rim! Drink rims are not just fun visually: they add a textural element and pop of flavor to each sip. Here’s what to know about making this tropical drink rim:

• Toast the coconut. Here’s how to toast coconut — we used the stovetop instructions which takes just a few minutes. Just make sure to keep an eye on it: coconut can go from raw to burned 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 coconut margarita pitcher (8 servings)

Serving a crowd? Mix up a coconut margarita pitcher instead! A pitcher is more efficient because it makes 8 servings in just 5 minutes! Here’s what to mix:

• 2 cups tequila
• ½ cup triple sec
• ½ cup lime juice
• 1 cup cream of coconut
• 3 handfuls ice

Throw them in a pitcher, mix, and enjoy! Let us know what you think of this tasty drink in the comments below.

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
• Go funky with a Beet Margarita or Espresso Margarita
• Opt for a Hennessy Margarita with fancy Cognac
• Mix up an ocean-colored Blue Margarita

When to serve a coconut margarita

The coconut margarita is creamy and impressive! It works as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Summer drink
• Cinco de Mayo drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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