Coconut Willy

My husband and I were in Kauai this past February on Valentine’s Day. At the poolside bar, our waitress informed us of a Valentine’s special drink, called a Coconut Willy.

Being ever so daring, I ordered one. Turns out it was the most delicious pool drink we’ve ever had. (Pool drinks typically translate to overpriced, overly sweet cocktails lacking in alcohol.)

It was so good, I asked the bartender about the drink, and he generously showed me how to make it.

I took a mental video of the process, and duplicated it once back at home when the weather warmed. We couldn’t wait to have them again!

The drink is creamy with coconut and lime flavors. It’s so good it will transport you to a tropical state of mind! I used these products:

Coconut Willy
For one drink, or double for two

2 ounces gin (I chose Rangpur gin for more lime flavor)

3 ounces Coco Lopez

Sweet and sour mix, approximately 2 ounces (whiskey sour mix seems less sweet to me)

Place ice cubes in your glass.

Add the gin and Coco Lopez. The Coco Lopez is more tan than white in color.

Stir really well, and then top off with the sweet and sour.

I garnished with a slice of lime.

_MG_9118

Alternatively, place the gin and Coco Lopez in a shaker with ice, shake well, and then pour into the glasses. Top with sweet and sour and stir.

I wanted to see if the coconut “blobs,” which show up in the most right photo above, would dissolve better using the shaker method, but they didn’t.

Alternatively, place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend for a frozen variation.

_MG_9133

I prefer drinks on the rocks because I can drink them faster. Sadly, that’s the truth.

Here’s the recipe for making a pitcher of coconut willies, based on a 750 ml bottle of gin:
1 – 750 ml bottle Rangpur gin
38 ounces Coconut Lopez
25 ounces sweet and sour mix

note: Two things about this drink. One, we were both surprised that it contained gin – we would have guessed vodka. Secondly, we were both sure that there was lime juice in the drink, and there is no lime at all. If you use regular gin, it will still taste limey! A mystery!

By Published On: June 1st, 201649 Comments on Coconut Willy

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

49 Comments

  1. Lisa @ cheergerm June 1, 2016 at 7:23 AM - Reply

    Well, that is on my summer ‘to do list!!

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 7:24 AM - Reply

      Oh, it should be. I already have friends hooked on them!!!

  2. apuginthekitchen June 1, 2016 at 7:39 AM - Reply

    It sounds great Mimi, I am a bit shocked at the use of gin, I would have thought rum for a drink like that maybe vodka. Really different and I’m with you on ice, the only way to have a drink.

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 7:47 AM - Reply

      I guess when you think tropical, you think rum, but the gin is just perfect in this drink. Our waitress was actually new, and the bartender yelled at her, inappropriately, because she wasn’t supposed to have asked if I wanted the drink frozen or on the rocks. He was still grumbling about it when he showed me how to make it. It’s supposed to be a frozen drink, but oh well!!!

  3. anyone4curryandotherthings June 1, 2016 at 8:02 AM - Reply

    abssolutely yummy! Having lived in various tropical countries in the past I agree with you: (for me) Gin – no, Rum – yes!, Vodka – ok :) :)

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 9:10 AM - Reply

      The good thing is, you don’t have to be in a tropical country to drink these! Try it with gin!!!

  4. Nadia June 1, 2016 at 8:26 AM - Reply

    Now, I just need some sun and some sand.
    It is grey and drizzly here in Dordogne. Where is Spring?

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 8:55 AM - Reply

      I’ve heard about your spring! Then summer will come and it will be too hot! That’s what’s happening here. The transition is never long enough…

  5. Kristy Rhine June 1, 2016 at 12:03 PM - Reply

    Looks wonderful! I need to try this!

    • chef mimi June 21, 2016 at 9:51 AM - Reply

      if you love coconut and lime flavors, you’ll love this!

  6. kmroehl June 1, 2016 at 12:58 PM - Reply

    This sounds so delicious! I love coconut and I love gin but I’ve never thought to combine the two. This will definitely make an appearance in my life this summer :).

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 1:56 PM - Reply

      I know! We were really surprised about the recipe! And I seriously love Rangpur, but we tried the drink with Tanqueray and it still tasted delicious and Limey!

  7. The Gourmet Gourmand June 1, 2016 at 1:10 PM - Reply

    A woman after my own heart- demanding the recipe from the bartenders ;) This looks just great Mimi!

    • chef mimi June 21, 2016 at 9:52 AM - Reply

      Hahaha! It was after a few of them, so I was a little braver!

  8. Francesca June 1, 2016 at 4:09 PM - Reply

    I was intrigued by the title- Coconut Willy. the drink looks so tasty and I wish it was summer here! I have a ice bottle of Bombay Blue so I’ll wait for a sunny winter day and make one.

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 4:22 PM - Reply

      It’s definitely a hot weather drink! I actually googled coconut Willy and got nothing!

      • Francesca June 1, 2016 at 4:25 PM

        Ok, now don’t think me strange after my strange cough post the other day, but here in Australia, a Willy is a Penis! Well, it is a name too…a boys name. But with coconut and on St Valentine’s day…. hmmmm.

      • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 6:14 PM

        hahahahahahaha! I think some people say willy here, too. I googled coconut willy and got nothing! sTrangely enough. How funny!

      • Francesca June 1, 2016 at 6:22 PM

        just google one word. willy.

  9. anotherfoodieblogger June 1, 2016 at 4:34 PM - Reply

    How interesting that it doesn’t taste like gin! I’m not a big gin fan but I guess with a drink like this it doesn’t matter, huh? It looks very refreshing, Mimi!

    • chef mimi June 1, 2016 at 6:14 PM - Reply

      Well, I do like gin, but we never guessed that it was gin in the drinks by the pool! Mine are probably a little stronger…

  10. Gerlinde de Broekert June 1, 2016 at 4:46 PM - Reply

    What a great cocktail , now all I need is a sunset over Hanalei , Prost!

  11. chefceaser June 2, 2016 at 1:04 AM - Reply

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

  12. dishinwithdidi June 2, 2016 at 4:02 AM - Reply

    Well that looks absolutely delicious! So making this and THANK YOU!

    • chef mimi June 2, 2016 at 7:31 AM - Reply

      You are so welcome! You’ll be so happy!

  13. My French Heaven June 2, 2016 at 6:13 AM - Reply

    This one’s perfect for me! Gin is (with vodka) the only alcohol I like and I LOVE coconut! I think I’ll try it this summer with a bit of coconut icecream on top :0)

  14. Kim Bultman June 2, 2016 at 2:41 PM - Reply

    I can deal with coconut “blobs” when they end up tasting like that, Mimi! (Sometimes “shaken, not stirred” is over-rated.) :)

  15. Cocoa & Lavender June 2, 2016 at 5:52 PM - Reply

    What a fun cocktail! Kind of like a grown up piña colada!

    • chef mimi June 3, 2016 at 7:58 AM - Reply

      Indeed – plus these aren’t as sweet. But it’s challenging to find a decent sweet and sour mix!

  16. love in the kitchen June 3, 2016 at 4:07 PM - Reply

    I’ll be making these absolutely for sure Mimi. I have a beautiful bottle of Hendrick’s hanging about. Not lime but that’s okay. Just added Coco Lopez and Whisky Sour mix to my shopping list!

    • chef mimi June 3, 2016 at 4:42 PM - Reply

      do you know that I didn’t realize I’d purchased whiskey sour mix! I thought it was sweet and sour! I wonder what the difference is…

      • love in the kitchen June 3, 2016 at 5:02 PM

        Aha -probably very little difference – just the label! So looking forward to this. I do love a cocktail now and then – and how can you go wrong with gin and coco lopez and a little touch of sour?!

  17. camparigirl June 4, 2016 at 5:45 PM - Reply

    This sounds right up my alley.

  18. dianeskitchentable June 4, 2016 at 8:26 PM - Reply

    I absolutely love the name of this drink Mimi! Since I also love coconut I’m going to have to give this a try…maybe I’ll wait for my daughter to visit since this is right up her alley too.

    • chef mimi June 5, 2016 at 6:20 PM - Reply

      if you love coconut,you will definitely love this drink!

  19. Kevin June 12, 2016 at 10:56 AM - Reply

    Thanks for posting this! I’m added it into our summer drink rotation here at the Misty Meadows Country Club. The pool is open and I’m sure my wife and her friends will love it. Even if they don’t, I’ll be drinking them as I clean the pool. Glad you also had a fun trip to Kauai. (And I didn’t know about the willy reference either). Thanks for a clever post.

    • chef mimi June 12, 2016 at 12:02 PM - Reply

      EVeryone I’ve made this drink for is totally addicted to them now!!! HOpe you all like it too!!!

  20. eliotthecat June 21, 2016 at 7:26 AM - Reply

    Sounds so simple and delicious. How nice that the bartender shared the recipe. Nice cooling summer treat!

  21. Sumith Babu July 9, 2016 at 12:16 AM - Reply

    Amazing photographs and recipes!!

  22. David @ Spiced July 12, 2018 at 6:35 AM - Reply

    What an easy drink to make! I’m glad you mentioned this one, Mimi, as I had to come over to see what was behind a Coconut Willy. I normally go to ‘simple’ drinks like a beer, whiskey or wine…but every once in a while I look to play bartender and have fun. And this Willy is definitely a fun one. Makes me wonder where the name came from…was your bartender’s name Willy? Haha!

    • chef mimi July 12, 2018 at 6:57 AM - Reply

      I typically only drink wine, but I try to make something fun occasionally for friends. Sometimes I fail big time. A mixologist I’m not! But seriously, my friends are so addicted to the willys. And that’s just what the bartender said the drink special was – I remember looking it up to see if it was a thing, but it doesn’t appear to be. But it’s good!!!

Leave a Reply to chef mimiCancel reply