Coconut Margarita Recipe - Creamy & Dairy-Free

Our coconut margarita recipe brings together creamy coconut cream, bright lime juice, and a touch of sweetness for a refreshing and smooth drink.

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😍Why You'll Love This Cocktail

• Perfectly Balanced Flavors: Our delicious coconut margarita recipe brings together creamy coconut, bright lime juice, and a touch of sweetness for a refreshing and smooth drink.
• Customizable Sweetness: We use coconut cream, which is not only easier to find but allows you to adjust the sweetness of your coconut margarita recipe!
• Gluten- and Dairy-Free: Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, this recipe fits a variety of dietary needs while still delivering incredible flavor.
• Unique Tropical Twist: Our cocktail has a nutty coconut rim and creamy base making it a standout tropical cocktail that’s perfect for relaxing evenings or special occasions.

🥥Simple Ingredients

Our coconut margarita recipe uses simple ingredients to create a creamy, tropical cocktail that's dairy-free and easy to make at home.

• Tequila: I use regular tequila (tequila blanco) for this recipe to keep things simple. However, if you want to amplify the strong coconut flavor, you can try coconut-flavored tequila or reposado tequila.
• Triple Sec (or Grand Marnier): We used Triple Sec for this recipe for its orange notes, enhancing the lime flavor and tying the drink together. For a deeper warmer flavor profile use Grand Marnier.
• Coconut Cream: Since coconut cream is easier to find, we opted to use it as an ingredient and add our own sweetness! This also allows for more control over the balance of flavors and results in a creamer tropical flavor (and what I think makes this cocktail a crowd-pleaser).
• Fresh Limes: We always opt for freshly squeezed lime juice, which will help balance the sweetness of the coconut. Save a slice of lime to garnish each cocktail!
• Sweetener (Agave, Simple Syrup, or Sugar): I added a small amount of agave nectar to balance the tanginess of the lime flavor.
• Pinch Of Salt: Trust me on this added ingredient! The salt intensifies the flavors of this drink and helps bring balance.
• Ice Cubes: For the chill factor, of course 😉.
• Coconut Flakes (optional): I like to used coconut flakes to rim the glass. It really elevated the drink, giving you a nice crunch and nutty taste with each sip.
• Lime Wheel: I also use these as a garnish to add a decorative touch and a hint of extra flavor.

Full quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Glass

Start by preparing the rim of the glass. Rub a lime wedge around the edge, then dip it into a plate of toasted coconut flakes. This step adds a satisfying crunch and reinforces the tropical flavor.

Step 2: Mix and Shake

In a cocktail shaker, add a handful of ice. Then pour in the tequila, cream of coconut, triple sec, fresh lime juice, sweetener, and a pinch of salt. Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This emulsifies the cream of coconut, keeping the texture creamy and preventing separation.

Step 3: Pour Coconut Cocktail

Strain the mixture into your prepared glass over fresh ice. Straining helps remove ice chips and ensures a smooth, professional-looking cocktail.

Step 4: Garnish

Finish your drink with a garnish and serve immediately. Add a lime wheel or a sprinkle of shredded coconut for that extra flair.

🔁Substitutions

If you find yourself needing an alternative for your tropical margarita, here are some ingredient swaps that have worked for us when testing this coconut cocktail recipe:

• Tequila Alternatives: If you don’t have tequila, you can use rum for a sweeter, lighter tropical cocktail or cachaça for a Brazilian twist inspired by our batida de coco recipe.
• Coconut Cream: Swap for coconut milk; however, it will be less creamy. Alternatively, if you can find the cream of coconut, you can use that in equal parts and omit the sweetener!
• Sweetener Swap: No agave? Simple syrup or maple syrup works just as well to balance the tangy lime flavor with the creamy base.
• Coconut Flakes: If you can’t find coconut flakes, use sugar mixed with lime zest to coat the rim of the glass.

🍸Margarita Variations Ideas

1. Batida de Coco Inspiration: Take a sweeter, creamier route by replacing tequila with rum or cachaça and blending with sweetened condensed milk. This adaptation transforms the margarita into a nod to batida de coco, a Brazilian favorite.
2. Make it a Piña Colada: Add pineapple juice to the mix and swap tequila for white rum. This simple change creates a coconut lime margarita variation that doubles as a piña colada, giving you the best of both tropical worlds.
3. Frozen Coconut Margarita: Blend the ingredients with ice for a slushy, refreshing spin on this coconut cocktail recipe. This frozen margarita is the perfect summer cocktail!
4. Passion Fruit Margarita: No coconut? Try our passion fruit margarita!