The Malibu Sunset Cocktail is a colorful, tropical drink that’s almost as beautiful as an actual sunset. Sweet coconut rum combines with fruity pineapple and orange juices, while a splash of grenadine creates gorgeous red, orange, and golden layers.
Love a great cocktail? Then you must also try our Campari Spritz or our Salty Dog Cocktail. Both are so yummy and not too sweet or boozy!!
A Malibu Sunset is sweet, fruity, and tropical. Coconut rum provides a smooth coconut flavor, pineapple juice adds tropical sweetness, orange juice brings bright citrus notes, and grenadine adds a fruity sweetness. The combination makes it an approachable cocktail for anyone who enjoys sweeter, fruit-forward drinks.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Love the sweet tropical flavors
- Easy to make just one or a pitcher for a crowd
- Great for entertaining
- Gorgeous-looking sunset inspiration
- Made with a few common ingredients
Helpful Items For This Recipe
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Malibu Sunset Cocktail Ingredients
Ingredients
Orange juice – Use a good quality orange juice, not from concentrate.
Pineapple juice – You can get pineapple juice in small cans for individual cocktails or larger jugs for more.
Malibu rum – This can also be made with white rum.
Drizzle of grenadine – This is a must to make the sunset and the cocktail look its best.
How to Make a Malibu Sunset Cocktail
Fill an old-fashioned glass 1/2 full with ice. Pour in the orange juice, pineapple juice, and white rum.
Give it a quick stir, then drizzle the grenadine into the glass, garnish and serve.
How Do You Get the Sunset Effect?
The secret is adding the grenadine last. Because grenadine is denser than the rum and fruit juices, it naturally sinks toward the bottom of the glass.
Pour it slowly rather than stirring it in. As the grenadine settles, it creates a gradient from deep red at the bottom to orange and golden yellow toward the top.
Recipe Pro Tips
Tips for the Perfect Malibu Sunset Cocktail
- Chill your ingredients. Starting with cold rum and juices keeps the cocktail refreshing without quickly diluting the ice.
- Use plenty of ice. Fill the glass generously before adding your ingredients.
- Pour the grenadine last. Slowly drizzle it down the middle of the glass so it settles toward the bottom.
- Don’t stir before serving. Leaving the drink untouched preserves those gorgeous sunset layers.
- Use good-quality juice. Pineapple and orange juice provide most of the cocktail’s fruity flavor.
- Stir before drinking. Once you’ve admired the layers, give the cocktail a stir to blend all the flavors.
Garnish Ideas
Dress up your Malibu Sunset with:
- Pineapple wedges
- Orange slices
- Maraschino cherries
- Lime wedges
- Fruit skewers
- Cocktail umbrellas
Can I make a pitcher of Malibu Sunsets?
Yes. Combine the coconut rum and fruit juices in a pitcher and refrigerate until serving. Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled glasses and add grenadine separately to each glass to preserve the sunset effect.
Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?
You can combine and chill the rum and juices ahead of time. For the prettiest presentation, add the ice and grenadine immediately before serving.
What glass is best for a Malibu Sunset Cocktail?
A tall hurricane or highball glass works especially well because it shows off the colorful layers.
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Malibu Sunset Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz orange juice
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 1/2 oz white rum
- Drizzle of grenadine
Instructions
- Fill an old-fashioned glass 1/2 full with ice. Pour in the orange juice, pineapple juice, and white rum. Give it a quick stir, then drizzle the grenadine into the glass and serve.
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