Making Coconut Cream

There a number of cocktails that call for the use of coconut cream. The most famous of these is probably the Pina Colada, but there are many others, such as the Blue Hawaiian and Cocobanana.

Unfortunately, most of the canned ready-made coconut creams are suitable only for culinary use, and can taste terrible in cocktails. However, it is fairly simple to make your own mixture at home using the following method:

1. Grate a block of pure creamed coconut; you will need just slightly less than one tablespoon of the grated coconut to make one measure of coconut cream.
2. Add an equal volume (or slightly less) of caster sugar.
3. Pour over the minimum amount of hot water to dissolve the sugar and coconut mix.
4. Stir the mixture until it becomes a smooth, creamy paste.

Once you have made the coconut cream, you can use it as soon as it has cooled. However, you must use it the same day that you make it, as it does not keep well, quickly becoming rancid and grainy.