Coconut Rum Ginger Lemonade Fizz

(Note: this post was originally published on August 4, 2022. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)

Coconut Rum Lemonade, the Perfect Summer Sip

Is there anything more iconic than a glass of ice-cold lemonade during the summer? That's why I was so excited when my friends at Koloa Rum asked me to develop a summery cocktail featuring lemonade. This coconut rum cocktail is perfect for sipping at the beach, at a summer picnic, on the deck, or at a BBQ.

This easy cocktail unites summery lemonade with tropical coconut rum. The result is a distinctly beachy vibe that's fun and fresh. Topping it off with fizzy ginger beer creates a festive finish. The combination of fragrant coconut, tart lemon, and zingy ginger will make you want to serve this coconut rum lemonade at all your summer gatherings.

Ready to dive in? This easy coconut rum cocktail uses just three simple ingredients, all of which are travel-friendly. Grab them on the way to the beach, pack some ice and glasses, and raise a toast to summer!

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How to Make this Coconut Rum Lemonade

This coconut rum cocktail is easy and fast to make, so it's perfect for a picnic. It uses only three ingredients (plus some optional lemon slices for garnish), all of which you can pick up at the store on the way to the beach. Because of the minimal and easy ingredients, this coconut rum lemonade requires almost zero planning.

To make this coconut cocktail recipe, you'll just shake together lemonade and coconut rum, then top it with fizzy ginger beer. As written, the recipe suggests mixing the drink in a cocktail shaker, but you can also mix it right in your serving glass if you're outdoors. You'll see that the cocktail is garnished with lemon slices in these photos, but you can omit them for simplicity.

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Variation: Coconut Rum Limeade

Looking to change up the flavors in this coconut rum cocktail? It also works beautifully with lime instead of lemon. To give it more of a mule (lime + ginger beer) vibe, use limeade instead of lemonade and garnish it with lime slices instead of lemon slices.

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Other Coconut Rum Cocktail Recipes

If you love coconut rum (in particular the 80 proof coconut rum from Koloa, which is NOT the same as low-proof coconut rum liqueurs like Malibu), then I have numerous other coconut cocktail recipes here on the blog for you to explore. For a simple beachy sip that balances sweet and bitter flavors, you'll love this Coconut Paloma. If you're looking for a show-stopping summer party drink, check out this Blackberry Coconut Margarita, which combines tequila with coconut rum and muddled blackberries. For a spring or summer brunch, you'll definitely want to check out this Coconut Campari Tequila Sunrise, which has an amazing color.

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Ingredients and Substiuttions

Here's what you'll need for this coconut cocktail recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Coconut Rum. This cocktail is much more successful with a full-strength (80 proof) coconut rum; I adore Koloa Rum from Kaua'i. A coconut tequila could also work. Using a low-proof coconut liqueur like Malibu would yield a much sweeter drink, which I don't recommend. If you can't find 80 proof coconut rum, you can try using 1.5 oz white rum and 0.5 oz Malibu.
• Lemonade. This cocktail is of course best with homemade lemonade. But for ease, store-bought is the way to go. Opt for something with real lemon juice and minimal sugar.
• Ginger beer. Similar to the above, choose an option with minimal sugar like Fever Tree's "Refreshingly Light".
• Lemon slices. You'll use these to garnish the drink (although if you're at the beach or on a picnic, you can certainly omit them for ease).

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Closing Thoughts

Imagine you're headed to the beach... you want to bring a summery cocktail, but don't want to prepare or transport a bunch of ingredients. I've got you covered! This coconut rum lemonade is the PERFECT cocktail for a summer evening outside thanks to its few, simple ingredients.

I'm so excited for you to try this fizzy, tart, tropical combination. It has a surprisingly complex and interesting flavor profile since each ingredient plays a very specific role. I'm a firm believer that a coconut rum cocktail belongs at every summer occasion, and I think you'll agree after you try this whimsical alcoholic lemonade!

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

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Suggested Pairings

Hawaiian Pineapple Guacamole

Tropical Coconut Lime Hummus

Rainbow Vegan Citrusy Slaw (the Hawaiian-inspired version)

Tropical Macadamia Mango Slaw

Tropical Black Bean and Pineapple Tostadas

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Disclosure: This coconut cocktail recipe has been developed through a paid partnership with Koloa Rum. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.