Perfectly Pairing Coconut And Coffee For Cool, Refreshing Summer Sips

If you’re solely taking advice from Harry Nilsson, you might think the only way to enjoy coconut throughout these hot summer months is to “put the lime in the coconut and drink ‘em both up,” but we’re here to offer you another option. 

No offense, Harry, but have you ever tried putting “the coffee in the coconut,” because that’s a summertime combo we can get behind! 

Some folks are surprised to find just how incredibly tasty your cup can be when you combine coffee and coconut, so we’re here to examine this pairing, looking at the best ways to add this tropical fruit to your brew. 

And, we certainly wouldn’t leave you without a few cool, refreshing, and decadently delicious recipes as well. 

So, stick around and check these tasty treats out before you head on over to the pool, lake, or beach to beat the heat, because you’re gonna wanna bring your new favorite coconut coffee companion along for the fun!

Coffee And Coconut - The Perfect Pairing

Pairing coffee with coconut is a trend that has significantly grown in popularity over the last several years, and if you ask me, I think this could have something to do with the iced coffee and cold brew craze that’s taken hold. 

Not that coconut in hot coffee isn’t fabulous, but under the sweltering heat of the summer sun, iced coffee and cold brew are undeniably refreshing…as is coconut…and thus this winning combo was born. 

As plant milks have grown in popularity as well, it didn’t take long for the pairing of coconut milk and coffee to awaken the taste buds of java lovers across the globe. 

Now, a European summer time favorite is an iced coconut Americano. 

And, instead of a traditional Vietnamese coffee made with a strong brew and sweetened condensed milk, folks are enjoying Vietnamese Coconut Coffee, made with creamy coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, and iced coffee. 

Other coconut coffee shop offerings, now summertime staples, include coconut milk lattes, toasted coconut cold brews, and coconut flavored coffees. 

Then, Lifeboost Coffee customers could easily chime in here as well, as our Toasted Coconut and Dark Chocolate Coconut Truffle flavored coffee selections are now fan favorites!

But, what makes this pairing so tasty? 

I mean, coconut is a fruit after all, and a tropical one at that. So, how is it that a fruit pairs so well with this classically bold and slightly bitter bean? 

Well, first it’s worth noting that these two mug fillers are complementary flavors. 

Coffee is classically bitter and bold with a touch of acidity. And, coconut is sweet and creamy. 

Those descriptions alone are entirely opposite, but when combined, the confectionary creaminess of the coconut balances the bitter notes in your brew, leaving you with a harmonious blend. 

Then, the creaminess of coconut also plays a similar role as conventional milk. 

Milk, half and half, heavy cream, and other creamers are common coffee companions. 

These are considered enhancers for just about any brew as the smooth, creamy texture of milk adds a contrast to the classic bitter notes in coffee, serving to mellow those tastes, resulting in a creamy and slightly sweet cup without the addition of sugar. 

Coconut milk adds not only the same creamy enhancement, taming coffee’s bitterness, but it also brings an even more luxurious texture than conventional milk due to its fat content, whether you’re enjoying your brew hot or iced.

One of the fringe benefits of enjoying a cup of joe is the heavenly aroma you breathe in as you either brew your hot cup of java or simply open a bag of whole or pre-ground beans, taking a deep breath of the deeply pleasant and satisfying aroma of none other than coffee!

Well, coconut has a similar attribute, especially once it’s combined with coffee. 

Once you add coconut to coffee, the tropical sweetness of the coconut is evidenced greatly in both flavor and aroma - and frankly, the collision of this creamy sweetness with the rich, decadent, smooth scent of coffee is simply unparalleled. 

And lastly, some individuals even opt for the addition of coconut oil in their coffee as this ingredient boasts numerous health benefits. 

This trend is often referred to as keto coffee as the addition of coconut oil provides a healthy fat source as well as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are thought to be a great boost for metabolism, brain health, and energy levels. 

Cool And Refreshing Coconut Coffee Recipes

Feel free to take any/all of the tips listed above regarding coconut and coffee pairings and concoct lattes, cold brews, and cocktails to your summer heart’s content. 

For instance, a Vietnamese coconut coffee sounds pretty “fire” (as my teenagers say) right now. 

And to make this, you’d simply add coconut milk and a little sweetened condensed milk (each amount to your liking) to a tall glass with ice and plenty of cold brew. 

If you’d like to try a European Iced Coconut Americano, simply use coconut water in place of water in this brew. (equal parts prepared espresso and coconut water served over ice)

Or, if you really want to simplify and sweeten things up, I like to make a big batch of cold brew with Lifeboost Toasted Coconut Coffee, then simply enjoy this over ice with a splash of coconut milk and a healthy drizzle of chocolate sauce. (It reminds me of chocolate coconut candy!)

Any cold foam lovers here? 

If you’d like to add a creamy topping to your brew, you can use chilled canned coconut milk or canned coconut cream to whip up a velvety smooth topping for your coconut cold brew. 

Or, you can simply try any of these recipes below, each of which are creamy, coconut-coffee masterpieces!

1- She’s My Coconut Cream Pie

Sorry, no cherry pie today, because we’re all about coconut here! 

In the section above we discussed how the creamy texture and taste of coconut makes this tropical fruit a perfect add-in for your brew, especially an iced brew to be enjoyed poolside under the summer sun! 

And, that’s just what this treat is, the perfect poolside pal, your best beach brew, the lakeside latte you never knew you needed. 

Sweet, but not too sweet. Creamy and smooth. Cool and refreshing! 

Note: If you want to use one of our classic roasts here, I’ve found that our Light Roast makes a seriously delicious base for the addition of coconut.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Toasted Coconut Coffee 
  
• 1-2 ounces coconut syrup (see recipe below)
  
• ⅓ cup whipped coconut cream (see recipe below)
  
• Toasted coconut flakes, optional for topping
  
• ice

Instructions

• Fill a tall glass with ice, then top with cold brew (leave room for the coconut cream topping).
  
• Stir in coconut syrup. 
  
• Top with whipped coconut cream and a dusting of toasted coconut flakes. Enjoy! 
  

Homemade Coconut Syrup

• ½ cup filtered water
  
• ½ cup organic cane sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract

Add water and sugar to a small saucepan, and heat over medium heat, whisking continually to ensure the sugar fully dissolves. 

Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow it to bubble for approximately a minute. 

Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. 

Stir in coconut extract, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Homemade Whipped Coconut Cream

• 1 can full fat coconut milk
  
• 1-2 tablespoons powdered sugar (if desired)

Refrigerate one can of full fat coconut milk for at least 24 hours prior to using. 

Once ready to use, remove the can from the refrigerator and open it. 

You should notice that the cream has separated from the liquid in the can. You will only be using the hardened or solid/firm cream. 

Scoop the hardened cream out of the can and add it to a mixing bowl. 

Add in powdered sugar, if desired (some people find coconut cream to be sweet as-is, so you may find you don’t need the addition of powdered sugar here). 

Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until the coconut cream is softly whipped and slightly thickened. 

Use immediately. The remainder can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

2- Mocha Nut Cream Latte

Creamy coconut, rich chocolate, boldly brewed coffee…yes, please! 

Chocolate, coconut, and coffee are a heavenly combination, and this is a fact I quickly learned on a particularly warm beach trip.  

During one of my family’s last beach trips it was dramatically hot…like “please help me,” hot. 

So, I got a dreamy, icy, cold coffee drink from the bar near the property where we were staying. 

Originally, it came with several add-ins, lots of sweet stuff, and an obscene absence of coffee. 

But, the premise of the original drink was undeniably outstanding, so I modified it. 

I kept the coconut, ditched the banana, kept one kind of chocolate sauce (I opted for dark chocolate), ditched the milk and white chocolate syrups, and I opted to ditch the conventional milk for the most glorious upgrade…coffee and kahlua!

As I was requesting the modifications, I was a little fearful of the response, but the bartender gladly played along, even sampling the finished product. 

Alas, he didn’t have the authority to add it to the menu, but he gave it two thumbs up nonetheless…we hope you do too! 

Note: If you’d like this one to have a little extra booziness, chocolate liqueur is a great addition here as well. I like to simply add ½ - 1 ounce with the Kahlua.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Toasted Coconut Coffee or Lifeboost Dark Chocolate
• Coconut Truffle Coffee
  
• 2-4 ounces coconut milk 
  
• 2 ounces Kahlua
  
• 1-2 tablespoons chocolate sauce, plus extra for drizzling
  
• Whipped cream, optional for topping
  
• ice
  

Instructions

• Drizzle a small amount of chocolate sauce on the inside of a tall glass, then fill the glass with ice. 
  
• Pour cold brew, coconut milk, and Kahlua over ice. Gently stir in 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate sauce. 
  
• Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce, if desired, and enjoy!
  

3- Coffee Colada Milkshake

Have you ever had pineapple in your coffee? If not, your eyes might be bugging out a bit right now but trust me when I say - it’s surprisingly delicious! 

But, what’s even better is a mixture of coffee, pineapple, and coconut! You know, basically a coffee colada, minus the booze! 

Believe it or not, a touch of pineapple in your coffee tames your brew’s bitterness from the sweetness of the pineapple, and the fact that each of these have a bit of natural acidity allows the pair to complement one another. 

Ah, and the addition of coconut to this combo provides a velvety smooth finish that you just can’t beat! 

So, what are we waiting for…

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Light Roast Coffee or Lifeboost Toasted Coconut Coffee
  
• 1 ½ ounces pineapple juice
  
• ½ ounce coconut syrup (see recipe from #1 above)
  
• 1 scoop (roughly ½ cup) vanilla ice cream
  
• Coconut whipped cream, for topping (see recipe from #1 above)

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. 
  
• Pour into a tall glass, top with coconut whipped cream, if desired, and enjoy!
  

4- Cinnamon Coconut Cold Brew

Cinnamon and vanilla are another great pair, so I guess you could say this one’s a double-double. Cinnamon and vanilla, coconut and coffee, mmmm, this combination is truly amazing! 

And, even though our thoughts are centered on summer time, not every cup we sip through these warm months has to be chilled, so feel free to enjoy this one hot or iced - trust me, neither will disappoint! 

*See the note for preparing this one hot just below the recipe instructions.

**For an added (sweet) bonus, caramel is another great addition to cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, and coffee. So, if you’d like to turn this one into a full-blown dessert, feel free to stir some caramel sauce into your cold brew (or hot coffee) prior to topping with the sweet cinnamon vanilla coconut cream.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 8-10 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Toasted Coconut Coffee
  
• ½ cup coconut cream
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 
  
• 1 teaspoon stevia or monk fruit sweetener 
  
• 1-2 tablespoons coconut milk
  
• Cinnamon sticks, optional for garnish
  
• ice
  

Instructions

• Add coconut cream, vanilla, cinnamon, sweetener, and coconut milk to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. (Start out with 1 tablespoon of coconut milk, and if it’s too thick for your liking, simply add the second tablespoon.)
  
• Add ice to two tall glasses, then divide cold brew between the two glasses. 
  
• Top cold brew with blended sweet cinnamon vanilla coconut cream, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and enjoy! 

To enjoy hot - To prepare hot, simply make the sweetened cinnamon vanilla coconut cream as directed above, then use it to top a freshly brewed cup of Lifeboost Toasted Coconut Coffee. I personally prefer to only add a thin layer of this cream when sipping my brew hot.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Toasted Coconut .

References:

https://onegreatcoffee.com/blogs/latest-news/coconut-milk-as-a-keyword-in-progress#

https://kauaicoffee.com/blogs/recipes/coconut-and-coffee-recipes

https://www.vogue.com/article/coconut-milk-oil-water-coffee-trend#

https://cafely.com/blogs/info/coconut-coffee?

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/features/iconic-dishes-a-guide-to-vietnamese-coffee#

https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/07/coconut-cream-cold-brew/

https://www.wabilogic.com/blogs/recipes/wabi-coffee-recipes-iced-pineapple-americano#

https://www.kahlua.com/en-us/drinks/coffee-colada-mocktail/

https://daniliciousdishes.com/cinnamon-vanilla-coconut-cream-cold-brew/#comments