Coconut rum liqueur (35-40% alc./vol.)

Core

Barbados (Malibu base rum), Hawaii (Koloa), Puerto Rico (Don Q / Bacardi), US Virgin Islands (Cruzan)

Famous For

★

Daiquiri

Rum, lime, sugar. The cocktail that proves mastery hides in simplicity.

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Mojito

Rum, mint, lime, sugar, soda. Havana bottled a summer afternoon.

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Piña Colada

Puerto Rico declared it their national drink in 1978 and two bartenders still fight over who made it first.

ABV21-40%

Sub-styles

Malibu (21% ABV / category leader / mixer-strength)Koloa Coconut (35% / Hawaii / craft quality)Blue Chair Bay Coconut (26.5% / Kenny Chesney brand)Bacardi Coconut rum (35% / flavored rum rather than liqueur)Don Q Coco (21% / Puerto Rican)

Tasting Notes

Coconut cream, toasted coconut, vanilla, tropical sweetness, light rum warmth, sunscreen (this sounds negative but it's literally what guests expect and want). Malibu: candy-sweet coconut, minimal rum character, approachable. Koloa: real coconut flesh, more rum backbone, less sweet. The divide is between 'coconut candy' (well) and 'coconut spirit' (premium). Both have their place — know which one your drink needs.

Brand Guide

Well

Malibu ($16-20, the volume king, every bar in the world stocks it)

Call

Blue Chair Bay ($18-24, slightly more rum character)

Premium

Koloa Coconut ($28-35, Hawaiian, real coconut, full proof)

Top Shelf

Real McCoy Coconut ($30-38, Barbados, 40%, craft quality). Malibu moves more volume than all competitors combined. Stock Malibu for speed and a craft option for cocktail upgrades