Coconut Martini

This coconut martini is creamy and tropical, mixed up in minutes with vodka, lime juice, and cream of coconut. Top it with a crunchy toasted coconut rim!

There’s something about the tropical creaminess of coconut that makes it perfect for cocktails. It’s best known for the classic piña colada, but I’ve got a more unique spin on it that I think you’ll love: try my coconut martini!

Inspired by my popular coconut margarita (yum!), this one features vodka instead of tequila and my is it tasty! It’s cool and creamy, sweet tart with a tropical fruitiness and a crunchy toasted coconut rim.

What’s in a Coconut Martini?

A coconut martini is a vodka-based cocktail made with cream of coconut that adds tropical sweetness to the drink. Of course a “martini” in the classic sense (the dry martini with gin and dry vermouth) is a very different drink. A vodka martini is like a canvas for many flavors, like watermelon, chocolate, coffee, or raspberry.

There are two vodka martinis that are officially on the list of International Bartender’s Association IBA official cocktails: the lemon drop martini and espresso martini. All other vodka martinis are up to the bartender. So here’s my spin on a coconut martini:

• Vodka: use something clean and mid-shelf; I like Tito’s
• Fresh lime juice: Always use a fresh lime to add a citrus brightness (not bottled)
• Cream of coconut: The true star ingredient of this cocktail

How to Make a Coconut Martini

Got the right ingredients? Let’s make this coconut martini! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):

1. Make the coconut rim. Toast the coconut in a skillet, making sure to keep your eye on it because it can burn fast! Go to How to Toast Coconut. Then spread it on a plate. Dip the edge of the glass in extra cream of coconut (this will be the glue), then in the toasted coconut.
2. Shake: Add 2 oz vodka, ½ oz fresh lime juice, and 1 oz cream of coconut to a cocktail shaker. Add 2 handfuls ice and shake until cold. Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Use a mason jar with top.
3. Strain: Strain into a martini glass. That’s it!

Star Ingredient: Cream of Coconut

The most important thing to note about making a coconut martini: use cream of coconut! Avoid using coconut cream, which is unsweetened and not intended for cocktails. Here’s what to know about this ingredient, and you can read more at Cream of Coconut vs Coconut Cream:

• Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup used for cocktails, made with coconut cream and sugar. It’s sold in squeeze bottles to make it easy to add to drinks. Cream of coconut is easy to find online or at your local liquor store: popular brands are Coco Real or Coco Lopez.
• Coconut cream is unsweetened. It’s thick with a strong coconut flavor and sold in cans next to the coconut milk. Coconut cream is made from chilling coconut milk and then skimming off the layer of cream that floats to the top. It’s not intended for this drink.

Tip: Use up leftovers my popular coconut cocktails like the Piña Colada, Painkiller, Chi Chi, Bushwacker, or my favorite Coconut Margarita!

When to Serve It

The coconut martini recipe is fun and festive, with a lightly tropical, creamy flavor. Serve it as a:

• Happy hour with friends
• Girls’ night or guys’ night
• Cocktail hour at a dinner party
• Signature drink at a summer party
• Dessert cocktail when you want something sweet but not too heavy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a coconut martini taste like?

It’s creamy and lightly sweet with a tropical coconut flavor, balanced by the tartness of fresh lime juice.

Can I make a coconut martini without vodka?

The flavor profile works well with light rum as a substitute if you want something a bit more tropical. The recipe structure stays the same. You could also try it with Malibu coconut rum!

Where do I find cream of coconut?

Most liquor stores carry it near the cocktail mixers. You can also find it online or at larger grocery stores in the cocktail supplies or international foods aisle. Look for Coco Real or Coco Lopez.

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Coconut Martini

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This coconut martini is creamy and dreamy, featuring vodka and lime juice! Add a toasted coconut rim and it’s perfection.

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink 1x
• Category: Drink
• Method: Shaken
• Cuisine: Cocktails
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

• Sweetened shredded coconut, for the rim
• 2 ounces vodka
• ½ ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce cream of coconut (not coconut cream)

Instructions

1. Toast the coconut: follow these instructions. Remove it from the heat and place it in a single layer on a plate. 
2. Add a bit of extra cream of coconut to a separate plate and dip the edge of the rim of the martini glass into it. Then dip the rim into the plate of toasted coconut.
3. Add the vodka, lime juice and cream of coconut to a cocktail shaker. Shake with handful of ice and strain into the prepared martini glass.

Notes

• Accidentally bought coconut cream? You can still make this work. Substitute the cream of coconut with ½ ounce coconut cream and ½ ounce simple syrup. It won’t taste quite as good, but it will work. 

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More Vodka Martinis To Try

There are so many tasty vodka martini recipes to try, of every color and flavor! Here are a few of our favorite martini recipes:

• Love citrus? Try a Lemon Drop Martini, Limoncello Martini, Blood Orange Martini, or Key Lime Martini
• Pick a pink drink: try a Raspberry Martini, Cranberry Martini, Watermelon Martini, Pomegranate Martini or French Martini
• Go unique with a Ginger Martini or Cucumber Martini
• Try dessert-style with Espresso Martini, Coffee Martini or Chocolate Martini

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