Here are my favorite coconut cocktails featuring creamy, tropical tastes! Combine coconut with rum, tequila, or vodka for irresistibly refreshing beverages, ranging from creamy coconut margaritas to traditional piña coladas.
Infusing cocktails with coconut flavor is truly unmatched! It adds a creamy texture and a tropical ambiance to drinks of all varieties. It’s a perfect match with rum, just like the classic piña colada. However, you can also explore more distinctive coconut rum cocktails such as the Bushwacker, or even a coconut margarita or martini!
I’ve been refining coconut cocktails for many years, and I can assure you that the trick isn’t merely adding coconut milk. The finest coconut cocktails blend that rich, creamy essence in innovative ways and complement it with vibrant citrus and top-quality spirits. Continue reading for what I hope will be your new favorite recipes!
The Best Coconut Cocktails to Experience
Coconut Margarita: Presenting a coconut cocktail that’s creamy, cool, refreshing, and an absolute requirement for every coconut aficionado: the coconut margarita! Tropical coconut wonderfully complements the sharpness of lime and the kick of tequila. My favorite element is the toasted coconut rim, which provides a crunchy, tropical essence with every sip. Ingredients: Cream of coconut, tequila, lime juice, triple sec (or Cointreau).
Piña Colada: The most beloved coconut cocktail of all time is the traditional Piña Colada! This iconic drink was created in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1954. It features pineapple juice, rum, and cream of coconut, served blended or with crushed ice. Ingredients: White rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, frozen pineapple, ice, lime juice.
Coconut Martini: There’s something about the tropical creaminess of coconut that makes it ideal for cocktails. Inspired by my well-loved coconut margarita, this version uses vodka instead of tequila. It results in a cool and creamy beverage, adorned with a crunchy toasted coconut rim. Ingredients: Cream of coconut, lime, vodka.
Coconut Mojito: Looking for a mojito that’s even more fabulous than the classic? Try this Coconut Mojito! Coconut adds a tropical sweetness and creamy texture to this drink that is simply irresistible. Cream of coconut and coconut rum unite to create something magical. Ingredients: Mint, white rum, coconut rum, lime juice, cream of coconut, soda water.
Bushwacker: Here’s a coconut cocktail that will astonish you with its creamy, chocolaty goodness: the Bushwacker! This is one of my top choices, combining both refreshing and rich elements. Created in the 1970s, it’s like a blend of a chocolate milkshake and piña colada. It’s wonderfully smooth with hints of chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. Ingredients: Aged rum, Kahlua, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, milk, ice.
Painkiller: Love piña coladas? Then you absolutely have to experience a Painkiller cocktail! This 1970s coconut drink is a twist on the classic piña colada, but even more delightful. It showcases aged rum, cream of coconut, and orange juice, adding depth and sophistication to this elegant drink. Ingredients: Aged rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, orange juice, grated nutmeg.
Pineapple Coconut Mimosa: Here’s a coconut cocktail that’s tropical, fruity, and bubbly all at once: the Pineapple Coconut Mimosa! This variation on the traditional brunch drink might be even better. Sweet pineapple juice uniquely balances with crisp, dry champagne. Creamy coconut milk creates a frothy topping, ensuring the bubbles never fade! Ingredients: Pineapple juice, sparkling wine, coconut milk.
Chi Chi Drink: Adore a classic Piña Colada? Then this drink is just for you: the Chi Chi drink! This vodka-based Piña Colada rivals the original in flavor, in my opinion. It’s surprising how well it compares to the traditional rum-based version. Ingredients: Frozen pineapple, ice, vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice.
Ingredient spotlight: cream of coconut
You might believe that coconut cream delivers the flavor in these coconut cocktails. However, most of the cocktails below utilize a special ingredient called cream of coconut! Look for this when preparing the drinks below. Here’s what you should know about cream of coconut versus coconut cream:
Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup designed for cocktails made with coconut cream and sugar. It comes in convenient squeeze bottles for easy addition to drinks. Cream of coconut is readily available online or at your local liquor store. Well-known brands include Coco Real or Coco Lopez.
Coconut cream is unsweetened! It’s thick, has a strong coconut flavor, and is sold in cans near the coconut milk. Coconut cream is produced by chilling coconut milk and skimming off the layer of cream that rises to the top.
Dietary notes