Light Coconut Cocktails

There's nothing better than a Pina Colada on a hot summer day. But the traditional versions with Pina Colada mix are extremely sweet and loaded with calories.

I've noticed recipes made with Coconut milk or Coconut Water instead of mix lately, and gave one of these recipes a try last night.

The result: a light summer cocktail without the guilt.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Coconut Water, 4-5 shots Clear Rum, 1/2 cup Pinapple Juice

Cherries, pinapple or coconut flakes, for garnish (optional)

Instructions: Fill a blender halfway with ice. Add clear rum, coconut water and pineapple juice. Blend it together for about one minute.

Pour into four glasses and garnish with cherries or chunks of pineapple, and sprinkle in some coconut flakes.

I love the flavor of toasted coconut, so sometimes I rim the glass with that. To make it, you put about 1/4 cup of coconut flakes in a small saute pan and heat them until browned. Then, rim the glass in a bit of coconut milk or with pineapple and rim the glass in the toasted flakes. It's heavenly!

Coconut Martinis are another delic option that you can use those flakes for.

Ingredients:

1 oz Vodka 1 oz Malibu Coconut Rum 1 oz Pineapple Juice 1/2 oz Creme de Cacao
Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice until freezing cold. Pour into a chilled martini glass that is rimmed in toasted cocunut.

Enjoy!