Coco Loco Hard Seltzer: The same as Coco López or Goya Cream of Coconut?
Coco Loco Hard Seltzer is not the same as Coco López or Goya Cream of Coconut. Coco Loco is an Australian brewed hard seltzer — a low-sugar alcoholic drink made by fermenting real young-green coconut water. Coco López and Goya Cream of Coconut are sweetened coconut creams in cans, used as non-alcoholic cocktail ingredients (most famously in Piña Coladas). Both are legitimate coconut products, but they serve completely different purposes.
Coco Loco vs Coco López vs Goya Cream of Coconut: the key differences
| Product | Type | Contains alcohol? | Main use | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coco Loco Hard Seltzer | Ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage | Yes — 4% ABV | Drink straight from the can | 3.6g per 330ml |
| Coco López | Sweetened coconut cream | No | Cocktail ingredient (Piña Colada) | Very high (20g+ per serve) |
| Goya Cream of Coconut | Sweetened coconut cream | No | Cocktail ingredient (Piña Colada) | Very high (20g+ per serve) |
Why the confusion happens
The names sound similar and they all feature coconut prominently. If you've typed "coco loco cream of coconut" into a search bar, you're in good company. Coco López is one of the most famous coconut cream brands globally (the original brand was created in Puerto Rico in 1948 and is credited as the base for the Piña Colada). Goya is a major Hispanic food brand with a strong presence in US supermarkets. Coco Loco is a separate Australian-made hard seltzer brand, founded by sisters Jill and Alanna, originally brewed at Holgate Brewery in Victoria (up until January 2026).
You cannot substitute a Coco Loco Hard Seltzer for Coco López in a Piña Colada recipe — you'd end up with a fizzy, low-sugar drink instead of the creamy, sweet classic. Likewise, you cannot substitute Coco López for Coco Loco if you want a ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage — Coco López is non-alcoholic cream designed as a mixer.
When to choose each product
Choose Coco López or Goya Cream of Coconut if you want:
- A classic frozen or shaken Piña Colada
- A sweetened coconut cream for desserts (tres leches, coconut panna cotta)
- An ingredient for cocktails where you build the alcohol yourself
Both products are sweetened coconut creams. They're interchangeable in most recipes, with minor differences in thickness and sweetness. Stock availability in Australia varies by retailer and season.
Choose Coco Loco Hard Seltzer if you want:
- A ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage with real coconut character
- A low-sugar alternative to spirit-based cocktails (3.6g sugar per can vs 20g+ in a Piña Colada)
- A gluten-free, vegan drink with natural electrolytes from young-green coconut water
- Something crisp and refreshing to drink straight from the can
Coco Loco Hard Seltzer is Australia's only brewed alcoholic coconut water — fermented from real young-green coconut water, not spirit-mixed. 4% ABV, 115 calories, one standard drink per 330ml can.
Can I combine them?
Yes — this is actually a clever move. A small spoon of homemade or canned cream of coconut shaken with lime and ice, topped with a chilled Coco Loco Pineapple, gives you the creamy coconut silk of a Piña Colada with the fizzy, lower-sugar lift of a seltzer. Much lighter than the traditional version, still unmistakably coconut.
Homemade cream of coconut, five-minute method
If your Australian supermarket is out of stock on Coco López and Goya, you can make your own in five minutes. Warm full-fat coconut cream (400ml tin) with sugar to taste (usually 100–150g) and a pinch of salt until the sugar dissolves. Add a few drops of vanilla extract if desired. Cool, strain, store in a clean jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Not shelf-stable like the canned originals, but tastes fresher and you control the sweetness entirely.
Quick comparison at a glance
| If you want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| A classic Piña Colada | Coco López or Goya Cream of Coconut (with rum + pineapple) |
| A low-sugar, ready-to-drink alcoholic coconut drink | Coco Loco Hard Seltzer (Pineapple or Passionfruit) |
| Fresh, hand-made coconut cream for cocktails or desserts | Homemade cream of coconut (5-min method above) |
| A hybrid — creamy coconut drink with sparkling lift | Homemade cream of coconut + Coco Loco Pineapple |
| A lower-sugar Piña Colada alternative | Coco Loco Pineapple + fresh pineapple + lime + ice |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coco Loco Hard Seltzer the same as Coco López?
No. Coco Loco is an Australian ready-to-drink alcoholic hard seltzer (4% ABV, 3.6g sugar per 330ml can) brewed from real young-green coconut water. Coco López is a non-alcoholic sweetened coconut cream in a can, traditionally used as a Piña Colada ingredient. They are separate products with different purposes.
Can I use Coco Loco Hard Seltzer in a Piña Colada?
Not as a direct substitute for cream of coconut. Coco Loco is fizzy and low-sugar, whereas a classic Piña Colada requires a thick, sweetened coconut cream base. You can, however, create a lighter "Piña Colada spritz" by mixing rum, a small amount of cream of coconut, fresh pineapple, and lime, topped with a chilled Coco Loco Pineapple Hard Seltzer.
Where is Coco Loco made?
Coco Loco is Australian-made. It was originally brewed at Holgate Brewery in regional Victoria up until January 2026. The business was founded by sisters Jill Hale and Alanna, and is co-owned by Jill and her husband Andrew Fitzwater. Coco López is made in Puerto Rico. Goya is a Hispanic-American brand with products manufactured in multiple countries.
Is Coco Loco Hard Seltzer gluten-free and vegan?
Yes. Coco Loco Hard Seltzer is certified gluten-free and vegan. We use no animal-derived ingredients or processing aids. Each 330ml can contains 3.6g of sugar, 115 calories, and 4% ABV.
Can I buy Coco López or Goya Cream of Coconut in Australia?
Stock varies by retailer and season in Australia. Check major supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths), specialty grocers, or online imports. If neither is available, the homemade method in this guide takes five minutes with pantry staples.
Where can I buy Coco Loco Hard Seltzer?
Direct from drinkcocoloco.com with nationwide shipping across Australia and free delivery to Melbourne metro on orders over $80. Also stocked in select bottle shops and hospitality venues. Retailers and international distributors can enquire via our wholesale page.
Try Australia's only brewed coconut hard seltzer
Coco Loco is fermented from real young-green coconut water. 4% ABV, 3.6g sugar, 115 calories, gluten-free, vegan. Shop the Mixed Pack for a taste of both Pineapple and Passionfruit.
Updated 28 April 2026.