Coconut Margarita

This Coconut Margarita is the piña colada of margaritas. It's got all the vacation vibes you could possibly want, is perfectly balanced and seriously refreshing. Plus, it's got just the right amount of zest and tang. I mean, how could lime, coconut, and tequila not be a match made in heaven?

Whether you are poolside, on your back patio, or actually at the beach, these crazy-easy Coconut Margs are the way to go. Not too sweet, yet not too tequila-forward, this drink is a total crowd-pleaser. And speaking of crowd-pleasing our Best Margarita and Cadillac Margarita need to go on your "to make" list.

COCONUT MARGARITA INGREDIENTS

We found fresh squeezed orange juice to be indispensable in the midst of recipe development. It mellowed out the acidity of the lime juice seamlessly. This Coconut Margarita recipe is still tart, just as you would expect a margarita to be, but with a real smooth kind of sip. Plain and simple -- it's the best Coconut Margarita on the internet and your new favorite coconut cocktail recipe. Guaranteed. 

• Tequila | You can use just about any silver or reposado tequila you like for your Coconut Margaritas. However, often times margaritas are made with silver tequila since silvers (a.k.a. blancos) are less expensive than reposados. Not to mention, you aren't sipping the tequila straight, and the flavor will be somewhat muddied by coconut syrup and lime. Point of the story? This is not the time to pull out the super expensive, straight-sipping kind of tequila!
• Orange Liqueur | When it comes to which orange liqueur you choose for your Coconut Margarita, you also have options! You can use Cointreau, which is a triple-sec product, or Grand Marnier, which is a dryer orange-flavored liqueur. 
• Lime Juice | One area in which you actually don't have any options is fresh lime juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice makes all the difference in a top-notch margarita! This is not the time for this pre-bottled, processed lime juice. Taking the time to juice the limes is a total difference maker. Promise.
• Cream of Coconut | Next to tequila and fresh lime juice, this ingredient is of the utmost importance.  If you're a margarita connoisseur, you probably already know most margarita recipes call for simple syrup, a mixture of sugar and water, which is responsible for adding sweetness to margaritas. However, Coconut Margaritas don't need simple syrup. As mentioned above, they get their sweetness from a product called Cream of Coconut. Take care not to confuse this product with coconut cream. Cream of coconut is extremely sweet with a syrup-like consistency. You will likely find it alongside alcoholic beverages in the grocery store. 
• Orange Juice | As mentioned above, this Coconut Margarita sips smooth as silk and is perfectly balanced in flavor. The orange juice is a welcomed addition, mellowing out the acidity of the lime and adding a touch more sweetness. Not to mention, the orange plays extremely well with the lime, tequila, and coconut! Again, when it comes to citrus and cocktails, it can only be fresh squeezed all the way! Juice your own orange. Don't buy pre-bottled orange juice.

HOW TO ADD A TOASTED COCONUT RIM TO YOUR GLASS

Before you get to mixing up your Coconut Margaritas, you might want to consider whether or not you're going to add a toasted coconut rim to the edge of the glass! Toasting the coconut is quick and easy, but it does require a bit of planning ahead!

Place a skillet over medium-low heat and add about 1 to 2 cups of unsweetened coconut.

Toast the coconut in the dry pan, stirring every minute or so for about 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely, as coconut can go from white to burned in a matter of a minute!

Once the coconut appears golden brown, transfer it to a small plate. On another small plate, add about 3 tablespoons of cream of coconut. 

Take the rim of your glass, and swirl it in the cream of coconut. Then, swirl your glass in the toasted coconut. That's all there is to it! Time to move on to making your Coconut Margarita.

For more details and techniques regarding adding rims to cocktails, be sure to check out our Margarita Salt Rims post! Or if you are looking for more cocktail recipes to try, we've got you covered!

HOW TO MAKE  COCONUT MARGARITAS

Fill a rocks (or short) cocktail glass with ice and set it aside. And, of course, you could also use a margarita glass if you'd like!

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, and add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, cream of coconut, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Pop on the lid and shake vigorously for about 30 to 45 seconds. Pour the contents of the shaker into the glass, garnish with a lime wedge if desired, serve, and enjoy!

Note you should be able to fit the ingredients for 2 Coconut Margaritas in your shaker at a time. Do you love to entertain? Check out our recipes made specifically for entertaining! 

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