Coconut Lavender Margarita: Hot Ethel’s Summer
This coconut lavender margarita is a little tropical, a little floral, perfectly creamy, subtly sweet, and just looks dang pretty in a glass.
I crafted this cocktail up because I wanted a signature drink for my dear friend Lisa’s 50th birthday bash at the cabin. We had the full crew up for the weekend, and I wanted something that felt special and totally her.
It had to start with tequila—Lisa loves her margaritas. I added cream of coconut for a tropical note, because this woman loves the beach. That creamy base gives the whole drink a smooth, vacation-y vibe that felt just right for her birthday bash.
Then came the lavender simple syrup, because Lisa loves anything lavender-scented, and it adds the softest floral touch without being all up in your face about it. Triple sec and lime sealed the deal—because we’re still sticking to margarita territory here.
And the name? A couple of weeks before the party, Lisa casually drops that her middle name is Ethel. I’ve known this woman for years and had no idea. She says it like she’s sharing a random fun fact, not realizing she just handed me the perfect cocktail name on a silver platter.
So naturally, this coconut lavender margarita became Hot Ethel’s Summer. It was the official kickoff cocktail of the weekend and—let’s just say—it did its job. Alongside The Missy, another signature cocktail I served up that night, they both helped us start the party off right.
Now, let’s get to making Ethel, shall we?
Coconut Lavender Margarita Ingredients
- Tequila – Use whatever you like. No need to break out the fancy bottle—we’re mellowing things out with coconut cream anyway.
- Cream of Coconut – I love the squeeze bottle version (like Coco Real). The canned kind works too, but then we’re talking spoons, can openers, and a little more effort. Let’s keep it simple.
- Orange Liqueur – Triple sec is totally fine here. No need to get fancy—just something citrusy to round things out.
- Lavender Simple Syrup – Totally easy to make. I use fresh lavender from the garden when I can. Check out my lavender simple syrup post for the how-to.
- Lime Juice – Always, always freshly squeezed. Bottle stuff has no business here. Just grab a lime and give it the ol’ cabin squeeze.
How to Make a Coconut Lavender Margartia
First things first: let’s make the lavender simple syrup. I’ve got a full step-by-step post on how to make lavender simple syrup, but if you’re just here for the cocktail, there’s a quick version in the recipe card below.
Once your syrup is ready, the rest is easy:
- Fill a shaker halfway with ice
- Add tequila, cream of coconut, triple sec, lavender simple syrup, and lime juice
- Shake it for a good 10 seconds
- Pour into a cute glass filled with ice
- Rim that glass with whatever rimmer you’re loving right now (is rimmer a word? Don’t care—going with it)
Make-Ahead Friendly: Batch It Up for a Crowd
This coconut lavender margarita is easy to make ahead. Keep it simple: mix everything in a pitcher (no ice), pop it in the fridge.
Skip the ounces and go straight to measuring cups. It’s way easier, less fussy, and perfect for mixing everything up in a pitcher ahead of time.
When guests arrive, they can pour it right over ice or shake it up if they’re feeling fancy and want a frothier pour.
Garnish Ideas to Make Ethel Feel Fancy
This coconut lavender margarita already tastes like a dream, but a good garnish? That’s the finishing touch. Here are a few ways to dress her up:
- Sprig of fresh lavender – if you’ve got it growing nearby, this one’s a no-brainer
- Lime wheel or wedge – classic, easy, and adds a fresh pop of color
- Fresh mint – not traditional, but it looks great and smells amazing
- Edible flowers – if you’re feeling extra, toss a few in the glass or float them on top
- Rim it – use pretty lavender sugar, lavender salt, or a mix of both with a little citrus zest (check out my how to rim a cocktail glass in my Winter Martini post if you need a refresher)
- Coconut flakes – float a pinch on top or sprinkle around the rim if you want to go full tropical
Because let’s be honest—if you’re serving up a drink called Hot Ethel Summer, she deserves to be fully accessorized.
Try More Summer Sips
If you loved this coconut lavender margarita, try some of my other recent signature summer cocktails—like my…
- Vodka Basil Smash
- Watermelon Cocktail with Vodka
- Grapefruit Aperol Spritz
- Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail
- Summer Bourbon Cocktail
- Pineapple Coconut Mojito
- Malibu Bay Breeze
And hey, if you give this one a try, let me know what you think! I’d truly love to hear from you—leave a comment, send a message, or just raise a glass and cheers to Lisa and her Hot Ethel Summer.
Coconut Lavender Margarita: Hot Ethel’s Summer
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- saucepot for the lavender syrup
- wire mesh strainer
Ingredients
Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 6-8 fresh lavender stems or 1 tbsp dried lavender
Coconut Lavender Margarita
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz cream of coconut
- 1 oz lavender simple syrup
- ½ oz orange liqueur
- 1 whole lime freshly squeezed
Instructions
Lavender Simple Syrup
- Gently rinse fresh lavender under cold water to remove any dirt.
- Combine all the ingredients in a pot over medium heat.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes, uncovered.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the syrup sit, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.
- Strain the syrup into a bowl with a wire mesh strainer to remove the fresh lavender. Press down the stems, leaves, and flowers.
- Transfer the lavender syrup to a clean airtight container or glass jar.
Coconut Lavender Margarita
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add tequila, cream of coconut, lavender simple syrup, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Shake until cold and frothy—about 10 seconds.
- Pour into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, sprig of lavender, or edible flowers.
