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Tangy pineapple shaken with sweet coconut milk makes a summery twist on a classic cocktail. Perfect for poolside sipping, this Pineapple Coconut Margarita is the best of both a pina colada and a margarita with only one hand needed.
The Best Summer Cocktail
Perhaps it’s summer, perhaps it’s the love of the citrusy lime-flavor, or perhaps it’s the overall fresh taste, but a margarita is one of my favorite cocktails. This coconut margarita with strong hints of pineapple is a sweet twist on a classic cocktail.
The simple combination of the classic drink elements such as fresh lime juice, simple syrup, or agave, with new ingredients of coconut milk and pineapple juice, make this cocktail a hit.
I always get excited when I crack open the cocktail menu at any given restaurant (for many obvious reasons) and see a long list of specialty margaritas. I’ll read all the delicious-sounding ingredients mixed together in what sounds like an amazing burst of flavor, and yet, I usually never venture out to try those tasty-sounding concoctions.
This drink goes beyond my expectations for a great cocktail. Similar to a pina colada and a margarita at the base but with a sweet and tangy finish. It’s the perfect summer drink and if you love this one then try a Frozen Pineapple Margarita next.
Ingredients in this Cocktail
This cocktail has a coconut milk base with pineapple juice and lime juice shaken in. What you get is a citrusy and slightly sweet flavored coconut margarita. A pina colada and margarita in one drink.
- Pineapple Juice: this juice can come from canned pineapple chunks or from a jar.
- Coconut Milk: make sure to use the full-fat canned coconut milk and shake the can before opening.
- Agave: you can also use Homemade Simple Syrup, but the agave is easier when preparing this recipe.
- Tequila
- Lime and Lime Zest
- Granulated Sugar
How to Make a Pineapple Coconut Margarita
This is a delicious pineapple coconut margarita that tastes simple to both a margarita and a pina colada. If you’d like you can increase the serving size to make an entire pitcher.
- Rum a lime wedge over the edge of the glass to coat it evenly.
- In a small flat plate mix the lime zest and granulated sugar. Dip the coated rim of the glass into the mixture and set it aside.
- Pour the pineapple juice and coconut milk into a blender and blend quickly until smooth.
- Add the tequila, agave, lime juice, and pineapple mixture to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Add ice to the prepared glass and strain the cocktail into it.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Since this recipe calls for canned coconut milk I suggest using a little bit of the coconut cream at the top of the can and the “milk” at the bottom.
- For a smooth consistency and not coconut milk lumps, place the pineapple juice and coconut milk in a blender and blend quickly until smooth.
- To make this drink super summery I recommend garnishing the glass with a fresh pineapple wedge.
- If you’d prefer salt then you can use coarse salt and lime zest to rim the glass or leave it off entirely.
Pineapple Coconut Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Pineapple Juice
- 1 ounce Coconut Milk
- 2 ounces Tequila
- 2 teaspoons Agave
- 1 Lime juiced
Lime Sugar
- Zest of 1 Lime
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Use a lime wedge to coat the edge of the glass in lime juice.
- On a small flat plate mix the lime zest and granulated sugar. Dip the rim of the lime-coated glass into the mixture and cover the edge.
- Pour the pineapple juice and coconut milk, making sure to get the coconut cream at the top of the can and the milk at the bottom, into a blender and blend quickly until smooth.
- Place the tequila, agave, lime juice, and pineapple coconut mixture, into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously several times.
- Add ice to the prepared glass and strain the cocktail mixture into the glass. Top with a pineapple wedge (optional).
Made this version and also one with Barbados rum. Both are great. I use the boxed version of coconut milk (liter size) like you find uht milk or stocks.
Next time we will add a little coconut cream more for mouth feel than taste.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Frank!
Hi,
This looks delicious! Are you also garnishing with mint? And at the end of the vidoe on this post, what is the red stuff you squirt into the drink just before you stir?
Thanks, Sue
Hello Sue, I like to garnish this with a fresh pineapple wedge or mint. Either will work. I need to have this video remade, but what looks like red stuff at the end is agave.
How can we make this without tequila or any alcohol… for 4 glasses instead of 8 oz of Tequila what can I add so the prepared quantity wont decrease.
Hey, there are a couple of options such as leaving it out entirely and then increasing the amounts of the other ingredients (for 4 glasses do 12 oz of pineapple juice, 8 oz of coconut milk, 8 teaspoons of agave, and 4 limes juiced. You could also use a non-alcoholic brand of tequila such as Spiritless or use soda water instead. Let me know how it turns out.
Tasted like a piña colada with tequila.
I’m so glad you loved this!
Gonna have to see if one of the cruise bartenders will make me one of these. Sounds fabulous!
Do you used sweetened or unsweetened coconut milk??
Hey, Tina. I use full-fat canned coconut milk for this recipe, which I believe is unsweetened. I haven’t tried it yet using the carton kinds of coconut milk, but think it would be delicious too.
Can you post ingredient measurements for making a pitcher of your coconut pineapple margarita? I’m going on vacation soon. Think this will be a great hit with the gang!
Hey, Shannon. Yes, I can add these measurements to the post. In the meantime, you can click on the serving amount number on the recipe card and slide it to the number of servings you’d like, which may be helpful too.
Definitely going to try this tonight! Is there any way you can substitute the agave for honey??
Hey, Vanessa! Yes, you can absolutely sub in agave and it might even be better with agave. That’s my preference when making regular margaritas.
Are you using plain canned coconut milk or like coco Lopez coconut cream?
Hey Denise, I use plain canned coconut milk. My favorite brand to use is the simple Native Forrest.
This was amazing!! My only question is, how can I keep the coconut milk from forming little balls of fat? Do I need to do something to the coconut milk before using it in the drink? I thought shaking the drink was going to break up the fat, but it didn’t. It still tasted amazing, it just wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Hi, Amy! I’m so glad you loved this margarita. I suggest placing the coconut milk and pineapple juice in a blender for a quick pulse to blend that thicker coconut cream in smoothly. Then you can add it to the cocktail shaker along with the other ingredients. I’ll add this to the directions too in case anyone else runs into the same problem. Thanks for making it!!
I love pineapple and coconut together. Easy enough recipe!
Thanks, Bev! I’m a huge fan of that combination too.
Love how fresh this sounds Aimee. And the photos are stunning!
Awe, thanks, Debs! I’ve really been working hard on my photos and that means a lot coming from you who has spectacular photos. I was surprised at how good this cocktail was. Cheers!