Serves a Crowd

Lime in a Coconut Float

June  2, 2011
4
4 Ratings
  • Makes about 2/3 cup syrup; enough for at least 6 floats
Author Notes

Who hasn't heard at least the chorus from the famous Harry Nilsson song, "Coconut?" Well he was onto something. Coconut and lime are a delicious combination whether you squeeze some lime into fresh coconut water in the tropics or you make a lime and coconut sorbet float on a hot summer day. - hardlikearmour —hardlikearmour

Test Kitchen Notes

Hardlikearmour's Lime in the Coconut Float is my new favorite drink. The lemongrass and lime-infused syrup is so well balanced and flavorful I wanted to drink it by itself. When added to the lime juice and seltzer, it is a refreshing and delicious drink, and the addition of the coconut sorbet put it over the top. I was instantly transported to the tropics imagining myself with a fresh coconut and a wedge of lime while resting on a hammock. The infused syrup is so good I added more to the soda for a stronger flavor. One wasn't enough -- the second one I made later that day involved coconut/pineapple ice cream and was also amazing. At my next gathering this lovely drink will definitely be on the menu. As a matter of fact, I thought it was so good I made another batch so I wouldn't run out. This is a simple and delicious float that I will make over and over again. Absolutely wonderful!!! - sdebrango —sdebrango

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the Lemongrass & Lime Syrup
  • 1 stalk lemon grass
  • 2 limes
  • 4 ounces water (1/2 cup)
  • 4 ounces sugar (1/2 cup plus 1 T)
  • Lime in the Coconut Float
  • 1 to 1 & 1/2 tablespoons lemongrass & lime syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 scoops coconut sorbet (about 1/2 cup total)
  • seltzer, cold
Directions
  1. For the Lemongrass & Lime Syrup
  2. Thinly slice lemongrass and set aside. With a vegetable peeler remove the lime zest in strips trying to avoid getting much white pith. Set aside. Juice the limes and set juice aside for making the soda.
  3. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat on high, stirring or swirling occasionally to dissolve sugar until it boils. Boil for 30 to 60 seconds.
  4. Remove from heat. Add the lemongrass and lime zest, cover with a tight fitting lid, and allow to cool to room temperature. Pour through a mesh strainer into a glass jar. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
  1. Lime in the Coconut Float
  2. Combine syrup and lime juice in a 12-oz glass. Add sorbet. Slowly pour seltzer over the sorbet, it with froth up pretty fiercely. Stir gently after glass is about 2/3 full. Continue to slowly fill glass with seltzer. Serve immediately with a straw.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • hardlikearmour
    hardlikearmour
  • TheWimpyVegetarian
    TheWimpyVegetarian
  • gingerroot
    gingerroot
  • mrslarkin
    mrslarkin
  • wssmom
    wssmom
I am an amateur baker and cake decorator. I enjoy cooking, as well as eating and feeding others. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband and our menagerie. I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, mushroom hunting, tide pooling, beach combing, and snowboarding.

20 Reviews

hardlikearmour June 16, 2011
Wow! Thanks for such a stellar review, sdebrango!
 
I love floats and have been experimenting with all kinds of combinations with coconut milk lately and love the idea of lime with coconut sorbet. It sounds soooo refreshing! I can just tell it would be perfect! Have you ever make coconut sorbet?
 
hardlikearmour June 6, 2011
I've not made sorbet - I used the Ciao Bella brand. I bet homemade would be fabulous. I think coconut sorbet has a more pure coconut flavor than coconut gelato or ice cream which is why I chose it for this recipe.
 
I'm familiar with the brand - I love Ciao Bella! I will look for it!
 
gingerroot June 3, 2011
Lime and coconut is such a perfect pair, definitely one of my favorite flavor combinations. You've definitely saved the best for last with all of your amazing entries today! Now I have to decide which one to try first...
 
hardlikearmour June 3, 2011
Thanks, gingerroot! Do let me know if you get a chance to try one, I'd love your opinion.
 
mrslarkin June 2, 2011
Really great! Perfect for a warm summer day. Is that a bubble tea straw?? It's so chubby!
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
It is a bubble tea straw! Too bad it was chilly here today, I was shivering while I was drinking it (not that it stopped me.)
 
wssmom June 2, 2011
You are killing me with awesomeness! Love!!!
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
Thanks, wssmom! What a compliment coming from the cocktail queen!
 
lorigoldsby June 2, 2011
with the lime in the coconut....I'll drink it ALL up!

brillant addition of the lemongrass.
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
Thanks, lg! I'm a huge fan of lemongrass - it's one of my new obsessions!
 
lorigoldsby June 2, 2011
I noticed a little theme with you this week....you must be feeling good about getting those kitchen floors done--or you are just sampling too many of your lovely libations and don't care anymore!
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
LOL...only one of my libations contained alcohol....mostly they just had me running to the ladies every 20 minutes!
 
lorigoldsby June 2, 2011
Oh...I thought this one had alcohol in it as well....maybe we can add some of that lemongrass vodka for an amazing martini?
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
I did have a lemongrass theme this week -- 2 drinks and a panna cotta!
 
boulangere June 2, 2011
I love everything about it, including the homage to Harry Nilsson!
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
Thanks, boulangere! I had to look him up, and found out the album the song was on was released in my birth year.
 
boulangere June 2, 2011
Kismet!
 
hardlikearmour June 2, 2011
that's how I took it :)