The best substitutes for coconut water

You’re in the kitchen working on a recipe when you take a look at the ingredients and see coconut water.

You panic when you realize you forgot to add it to this week’s grocery list, thinking your recipe is ruined. But with some creativity, you’ll be able to substitute coconut water like a pro.

Coconut water is not the same as coconut milk. Coconut milk is made by combining the white, “meaty” part of the coconut with water to create a creamy, high-fat product. It has a very strong coconut flavor and a thick texture.

Coconut water actually comes from the core of an immature coconut. You may have seen someone cut the top off a young coconut to drink the liquid inside.

That is the water. It has a slightly nutty flavor that doesn’t really taste like coconut and can be used in many ways.

So what are the best substitutes for coconut water? You can try using maple or birch water, diluting coconut milk with water, making your own coconut water with shredded coconut and hot water, using coconut or almond extracts, or using watermelon or coconut juice. aloe vera.

Read on to determine which substitute will be perfect for whatever you’re preparing in the kitchen.

The best substitutes for coconut water in drinks

Now that summer is coming, it’s a great time to get creative with different delicious drinks. Coconut water is a refreshing option for those hot days.

It can add interesting flavors to cocktails or mocktails, be used as a sports drink, or drunk neat.

1. Birch water

Birch water is the sap that is extracted from the genus Betula in early spring. It is a clear, colorless liquid that has a slightly sweet taste.

It does not taste as strong as coconut water.

That makes it a great option if you want to drink it straight, but don’t quite like the taste of coconut water.

It’s a great alternative to regular water and can be drunk neat or added to your favorite cocktail or summer drink.

It tastes great when chilled and garnished with a sprig of mint and a squeeze of lime.

2. Maple Water

You may have seen maple water on the shelves next to coconut water at your local grocery store. As the name suggests, maple water comes from maple trees.

It is the liquid sap that is extracted before being boiled and concentrated to make maple syrup.

Maple water is a great alternative to coconut water. It has a more subtle flavor and a touch of sweetness. It tastes especially fresh and delicious when chilled.

If you’re looking for a great mixer for interesting summer cocktails or mocktails, its slightly sweet flavor is a perfect base for iced drinks, punches, and spritzers.

3. Watermelon water

Is there something as fresh and summery as watermelon? Unlike coconut, maple, and birch waters, which are clear or slightly cloudy, watermelon water has a nice bright pink color.

It has all the sweetness you expect from watermelon and is the perfect option to cool down on a hot summer day.

You can drink it neat for a cool way to hydrate this summer. It ‘s also great as a mix in a cool cocktail, a chilled margarita, a topping for your spritzers, or as a base for your next batch of picnic punch.

4. Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera juice is not the same as the gel you put on your skin after a sunburn. You’ll want to look for an option that doesn’t include the fur, as the fur can be a little irritating to the belly.

But the gel from the center of the plant is a great drink.

Most companies mix the gel with water and then filter and purify it to create the aloe vera juice. It has a stronger flavor than the other options on this list.

It tastes a bit citrusy and may have a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Many people like to drink it neat, but it also mixes well with sweeter juices to create a super-hydrating summer drink.

The best substitutes for coconut water in baking

Is coconut water on your ingredients list, but not in your pantry? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

1. Make your own with shredded coconut and water

If you’re in the middle of cooking and realize you don’t have the coconut water called for in the recipe, you can make a passable alternative using shredded coconut and boiled water.

It won’t taste quite the same nutty flavor as coconut water, but it won’t be as strong as coconut milk.

You should use about a half cup of shredded coconut for every cup of boiling water. That works out to a 1:2 ratio of coconut to water, depending on how much you need for your recipe.

Instructions

1. Place the coconut in a large bowl and pour the boiling water over the top.
2. Stir it all up and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Pour the liquid through a fine strainer and press to remove the liquid from the shredded coconut. You can dry and save the shredded coconut for another recipe.
4. Since coconut water is quite sweet, you can add a splash of sugar, honey, or maple syrup to recreate the flavor.
5. Use it as a 1:1 replacement for coconut water in baking. You can also use this technique if you need to cook with coconut water.

2. Make your own nut water with almonds or hazelnuts

Another option is to make your own nut water.

Unlike making a nut milk, you’re not going to blend these nuts and strain them, but instead you’re going to use the previous soaking method you used with the shredded coconut.

You will use the same 1:2 ratio of nuts to water as in the previous case.

Instructions

1. Measure your ingredients. To make a cup of nut water you will need half a cup of almonds or hazelnuts.
2. Chop the nuts into small pieces.
3. Heat a small skillet over medium heat.
4. Add the nuts to the pan and toast them until lightly golden and fragrant. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove them from the pan and place them in a large bowl.
6. Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the nuts. Let it sit for about 10-20 minutes.
7. Pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer. You can dry and save the nuts to use in a future recipe.
8. Use the nut water just like coconut water in your recipe.

An additional option is to use half the shredded coconut and half the toasted walnuts to make your water. Follow all the instructions above, just substitute shredded coconut for half of the nuts.

3. Make your own with coconut extract, almond extract and water

Another option if you want to recreate the taste of coconut water, but don’t have shredded coconut on hand, is to make your own with a little coconut extract, almonds, or almond extract and water.

Coconut extract tastes more like coconut meat than water, so a little goes a long way .

If you add the almond extract you will also get the characteristic nutty flavor of coconut water. Combining the two you will get an approximation to coconut water.

Unlike cooking, where a recipe can often be used as a guide rather than a rule, baking recipes require precision so that the proper chemical reactions occur during cooking.

If your recipe calls for a certain amount of coconut water, you’ll want to stick to that amount.

If your recipe calls for 1 cup of coconut water, you’ll want to start small and add a drop of each extract to the water.

Stir it all together, taste it, and if you want to increase the coconut or almond flavor, add a drop at a time until you get the flavor you want.

Since it won’t have the same sweetness as coconut water, feel free to add a bit of honey, maple syrup, or sugar. I would start with a teaspoon and increase the amount until you reach your desired sweetness. Use it as directed in the recipe.

4. Combine coconut milk with water

One last option you can try if you don’t have coconut water but do have coconut milk on hand is to dilute the coconut milk with water. I would use a 1:2 ratio of coconut milk to water.

The final product will be slightly less nutty, so if you have almond extract you can add a drop to the mix to balance it out.

Like the other options on the list, it will not have natural sugar like coconut water. To replicate it, start by adding a teaspoon of your favorite sweetener at a time until you reach the level you are looking for.

The best substitutes for coconut water in the kitchen

When you’re trying to get dinner on the table, who wants to run to the store for a missing ingredient? Use one of these sweet alternatives instead.

1. Maple Water

Maple water adds a lovely subtle flavor to any meal that calls for coconut water. While it won’t taste as strong, it will add sweetness to whatever you’re making.

You can add it to soups, use it to poach fruit, or simmer it to make a sweet syrup.

You can use maple water as a 1:1 replacement for coconut water in your recipes, just expect a very subtle flavor difference in the final product.

2. Birch water

Like maple water, birch water offers a more subtle alternative to coconut water in the kitchen. You can use it as a 1:1 substitution for coconut water, although it will create a slight difference in the flavor of your recipe.

Its light and sweet flavor is perfect for cold recipes or poaching fruit for an elegant dessert . Like maple water, it can be simmered to create a sweet syrup.

You can get creative by adding herbs or fruits to make flavored birch syrups for your recipes.

The best substitutes for coconut water in smoothies

Coconut water is a great ingredient to add to smoothies for flavor and sweetness. In many recipes plain water is used, but you can make a more interesting smoothie using coconut water or one of these delicious substitutes.

Apple juice, watermelon juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice

If you are looking for an option to add some sweetness and flavor to your smoothie, these juices are great alternatives to coconut water.

Although all the flavors will be slightly different, they will complement most fruit-based smoothies.

Pineapple juice is a great option if you are looking for a more tropical flavor. You can use any of these juices in a 1:1 substitution ratio.

maple or birch water

You’ve already seen the great ways to use maple or birch water as coconut water substitutes for drinking and cooking, but they also work great in smoothies.

They don’t overpower other flavors and complement different types of shakes, from fruit-based to chocolate and matcha.

If you want to get creative, you can freeze maple or birch water in ice cube trays to make a creamier, frozen smoothie.

Coconut milk

Using coconut milk instead of coconut water will give your smoothie a creamier, coconutier flavor without the added sweetness.

If you use this option, you may want to thin it out with a bit of water so your smoothie isn’t too thick.

You may also need to add a little more frozen banana, a couple of dates, or your favorite sweetener to make up for the lack of sugar in the coconut milk.

Related questions

Do you have more questions related to coconut? Let’s get to the bottom of them.

How can I make coconut water taste better?

Not everyone likes the taste of coconut water, but there are lots of creative ways to make it taste more delicious.

I have included some fruits and herbs that you can add to make your coconut water taste better. Feel free to use one or several to create your perfect drink.

• Citrus juices such as lemon, lime or orange
• fresh cut strawberries
• frozen blueberries
• crushed mint
• cut cucumbers
• crushed raspberries

Can I use coconut water to replace coconut milk in recipes?

Remember that coconut milk is made from the meat of the coconut. That means it’s much higher in fat, has a creamier texture, and is lower in sugar than coconut water.

It doesn’t taste exactly the same either, so you’ll have to make some adjustments to substitute coconut water.

If your recipe calls for 1 cup of coconut milk, you’ll need to use a combination of coconut water and heavy cream to achieve the texture you’re looking for. I would use half coconut water and half heavy cream.

If you have coconut extract, you may want to add a drop to the mix for more of that strong coconut flavor.

Can I make my own coconut water?

Yes you can. You will have to buy a young coconut in the supermarket. The exterior is white instead of brown and furry, and it may appear larger than the coconut you’re used to.

You’ll need a sharp knife or meat cleaver and a stable surface to work on, such as a dish towel or cutting board. You will need to use the bottom corner of the cleaver to make four cuts in the top of the coconut to open it up.