Malibu Sunset Drink
This Malibu Sunset is made with coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine, and it’s been one of my go-to rum drinks for years. The pineapple and orange juices give it a sweet, tropical flavor, while the grenadine creates a beautiful layered sunset look. Add a maraschino cherry, and it’s ready to serve.
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Kim’s Tips for the Perfect Malibu Sunset
The secret to the pretty layered look is adding the grenadine last. Pour it over the back of a spoon pressed against the inside of the glass. That’s the way John learned it in bartending school, and it’s my favorite way to create the layers. Leave the drink unstirred to keep the grenadine at the bottom.
I like a sweet cocktail and end up using a smidge more than the ¾ ounce of grenadine that’s listed in the recipe. The ¾ ounce is a nice middle ground between “not super sweet” and “too sweet.” It also gives you enough grenadine for a distinct red layer at the bottom of the glass. Another way to get that pretty gradient without adding extra grenadine is to use a skinnier, taller glass.
I like to serve this Malibu Sunset with our easy fish taco bowls or homemade guacamole and chips. For another fun rum mixed drink with a layered look, try my pineapple upside down cake cocktail.
Made with love,
How to Make a Malibu Sunset Drink
- Add the ice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and coconut rum to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds, or until the shaker feels cold. I mostly use Malibu Coconut Rum or Malibu Black which has a higher alcohol content and mixes well with the other ingredients.
- Place a maraschino cherry in a cocktail glass, then strain the rum and juice mixture into the glass. Slowly pour in the grenadine and let it settle at the bottom like I did here. My favorite way to add the grenadine is by slowly pouring it over the back of a spoon. Don’t stir the cocktail if you want to keep the layered look.
Make a Big Batch for a Crowd
To make a large batch for several people, just multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you’ll need. For example if you’re serving 8 people, you’ll need lots of ice, 24 ounces (3 cups) of pineapple juice, 16 ounces (2 cups) of coconut rum, 8 ounces (1 cup) of orange juice, 6 ounces (¾ cup) of grenadine, and 8 maraschino cherries.
Add ice to a pitcher and mix in the pineapple juice, orange juice, and coconut rum. Alternatively, chill your ingredients and skip the ice so the drinks don’t get watered down.
When you’re ready to serve the cocktails, divide the juice and rum mixture evenly between the glasses. Then, add the cherries and pour in the grenadine to make sure each drink has the layered sunset look. Each drink will be just shy of 7 ounces per serving.
How to Video
Ingredients
- Ice, as needed
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 maraschino cherry
- ¾ ounce grenadine, or to taste
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Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the pineapple juice, coconut rum, and orange juice.Ice3 ounces pineapple juice2 ounces coconut rum1 ounce orange juice
- Close the shaker and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Place the maraschino cherry in a cocktail glass, then strain the drink into the glass.1 maraschino cherry
- Add the grenadine by pressing the tip of the spoon against the side of the glass. Make sure the bottom of the spoon faces upward, and slowly pour the grenadine over the back of the spoon for a layered sunset look. Serve immediately.¾ ounce grenadine
Notes
- Adjust the coconut rum, juice, or grenadine to suit your taste.
- Maraschino cherry juice can replace the grenadine, although the finished color may look slightly different.
- For a stronger cocktail, add a little more coconut rum, a splash of pineapple rum, or slightly reduce the juice. I almost always add a little more of something. 🙂
This was a quick delicious cocktail that everyone loved.
Thanks so much, Debra! We’re glad everyone loved it. 🙂
Delicious!
Thanks, Tiffiny! Have a great evening! 🙂
This drink makes me happy during the pandemic. I am not traveling but with this drink I get a taste of what I imagine is the Caribbean. Thank you!
Next weekend… These sunset drinks are on my agenda! I live around Cleveland now, and our winters are long and cold usually. But, once upon a time, I was a young tanned thing , still on the beach during the dreamy West Palm winters. Maybe a few of will awaken that girl again 😀
Yummy! What a refreshing summer drink! Love rum and this drink recipe would be perfect here in AZ because we have wild winters here, too!!
Mix me up one of these, please! This sounds so delicious. My husband would love to add this to his drink list.
Man, that looks refreshing! I love the colors and I bet you have the best citrus to pick from!
Looks so pretty and refreshing. Perfect for the weather here.
I served this as one of my cocktails last night at our BBQ and they were a HIT! Everyone loved them!