Name: Cream of Coconut Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 13
Ingredients: 13.5oz can of coconut milk (400ml); 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt

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This homemade cream of coconut recipe has a sweet coconut taste that is perfect for tropical cocktails and mocktails.

cream of coconut filled to the top of a glass mason jar with cocktail glass filled with green mocktail with cherry, pineapple slice and straw.

Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup made with sugar and coconut milk. It brings a concentrated, rich coconut flavor. Take note that it is very different from coconut cream.

This homemade cream of coconut is perfect to make mocktails or cocktails such as a Pina Colada or a Blue Hawaiian mocktail.

Ingredients

Find the simple ingredients for this cream of coconut in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here is a rundown of what you will need.

Coconut milk.
White sugar. Granulated cane sugar. You could use raw sugar, or pure cane sugar but avoid light brown sugar, which will change the flavor. The amount of sugar is large but remember; it’s syrup and meant to be sweet.
Pinch of salt.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Equipment

Medium saucepan
Wooden spoon
Glass jar

Instructions

Here is how to make cream of coconut.

cream of coconut being made in a pot by wooden spoon with sugar not dissolved.

In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut milk, sugar and salt and place over medium heat. Stir.

Once the mixture starts simmering, lower the heat.

cream of coconut being stirred in a pot by wooden spoon.

Let the mixture simmer for around 5 minutes, stirring regularly. The color of the coconut milk will change and become slightly transparent.

Let the syrup cool down to room temperature.

cream of coconut in 1/3rd of a glass mason jar.

Once it has cooled, Pour the cream of coconut into a clean glass jar or another airtight container.

cream of coconut filled to the top of a glass mason jar with cocktail glass filled with green mocktail.

Leftover syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Variations

Flavored simple syrup can be made with various fruits, spices, and herbs!

Ways to use cream of coconut.

In a summer cocktail or mixed drinks: cream of coconut can be used to sweeten and flavor the perfect tropical cocktail or mocktail. Try a blue hawaiian mocktail, or a pina colada mocktail.
In smoothies: Add a bit of cream of coconut to your favorite smoothie for a sweet coconut flavor.
Use it to brush cake layers to keep them moist.
Add sweetness to savory dishes.

Storage

Simple syrup like this can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.

The syrup can be frozen for up to 3 months for long-term storage.

Yield: 13.5oz