Tropical Malibu Sunset Cocktail
Meet your new favorite beach 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 that glowing “sunset in a glass” look. Add a maraschino cherry, and it’s ready to serve.
Kim’s Tips for the Perfect Malibu Sunset
The secret to the layered look is adding the grenadine last. Pour it in slowly after the rum and juice mixture is already in the glass, then leave the drink unstirred. You can even pour it over the back of a spoon pressed against the inside of the glass.
Grenadine has more sugar than the other liquids, so it naturally sinks to the bottom and creates that pretty red-to-orange gradient.
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.
How to Make a Malibu Sunset
Shake the rum and juices: Add ice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and coconut rum to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds, or until the shaker feels cold.
Pour the drink: 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. Don’t stir if you want to keep the layered look.
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
- Slowly pour in the grenadine to create the 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. 🙂
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!