Pineapple Coconut Margarita

Why We Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: It only takes 5 minutes to whip up one of these 6-ingredient pineapple coconut margaritas from scratch. Doesn't get any easier than that!
• Margarita paradise: We absolutely love margaritas (see Pineapple Margarita, Blueberry Margarita, Blood Orange Margarita for proof). They're so refreshing, easy to make, and extremely versatile! This one is a bit more unique than your classic marg and packed with tropical flavors.
• So refreshing! This margarita will transport you straight to the beach. It's refreshing, vibrant, sweet and basically sunshine in a glass. Perfect for sipping poolside (if you're so lucky!).

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make these pineapple coconut margaritas:

Ingredient Notes

• Coconut milk: We use full fat coconut milk from a can, which has much more flavor (and fewer preservatives) than anything that comes in a carton. You can typically find canned coconut milk near other southeast Asian ingredients at your grocery store.
  • Note: be sure to shake up the can of coconut well before adding to the cocktail. If the cream is very separated from the liquid at the bottom of the can, you may need to transfer to a bowl to whisk (or a blender).
• Tequila: We used tequila reposado in these pineapple coconut margaritas. Tequila reposado is aged in oak barrels for anywhere from 2 months to a year, so it has a richer, golden color and flavor. You can also sub with silver (blanco) tequila, which is not aged, or añejo, which is aged for even longer than reposado. It all depends on your preferences – we like that reposado is somewhere in the middle and suitable for most preferences!
• Simple syrup: We used a bottled variety to cut down on prep time, but you can easily make your own by combining equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan and heating until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the simple syrup cool before adding to your cocktail. Agave nectar is a great substitute.
• Pineapple juice: We use 100% pineapple juice (not from concentrate) in this recipe. You should be able to find it at most grocery stores, often in the juice/soda aisle. In a pinch, you can also use pineapple juice from concentrate.
• Lime juice: Freshly squeezed is always best – trust us!

Instructions

(1) To make the rims: stir together salt, sugar, lime zest and coconut. Transfer to a small shallow dish. Pour simple syrup or agave onto a separate small dish.

Dip the rim of each glass in syrup, then coat in the coconut/lime zest mixture. 

(2) To make the cocktail: Add tequila, orange liqueur, pineapple juice, coconut milk, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.

(3) Shake well for at least 10 seconds. 

(4) Strain into rimmed cocktail glass (filled with crushed ice). 

Optional: garnish with lime wedge. Enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

• Mocktail version: To make a nonalcoholic version of this pineapple coconut margarita, try subbing orange liqueur with orange juice and tequila with a non-alcoholic spirit alternative like this one. If you don't have/don't like alcohol alternatives, simply slightly increase all of the quantities of the remaining ingredients. It will still taste delicious, it just won't have the 'bite' or 'zing' of a regular cocktail.
• Make it ahead of time: Feel free to make a big batch and store in a pitcher for serving later on. Just make sure to stir or shake very well again before serving, as the coconut milk tends to separate.
• Don't skip the coconut rim! It's super easy to make and adds extra flair and flavor. If you don't have all of the ingredients, you can also just use salt and lime zest.
• Use something sticky to rim the glass: We typically just use a lime wedge to moisten the edge of a glass for dipping in salt, but the coconut needs something a bit stickier or else it will all fall off. We like to use simple syrup or agave, which you're already using in the recipe, anyways!
• Garnish: you don't need anything fancy to top off these pineapple coconut margaritas, but a few ideas include a lime wedge, a pineapple wedge and/or a sprig of mint or an edible flower. A cocktail umbrella is always fun, too. 😉

More Tropical Cocktails to Enjoy

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