Imagine you’re in a tropical paradise with each sip of this Malibu Sunset Cocktail, a visually stunning drink that tastes as good as it looks. You’ll love the delicious blend of coconut-flavored rum and tangy pineapple juice, crowned with a splash of grenadine for that perfect sunset glow.
This delicious layered cocktail transports you straight to a tropical paradise, where the sun sets in vibrant hues over crystal-clear waters. That’s exactly the sensation you get with this tropical Malibu Sunset Cocktail. It is an absolutely stunning layered drink that looks complicated, but it’s incredibly easy to make.
With just three essential ingredients—Malibu rum, pineapple juice, and grenadine—plus an optional garnish of cherries and pineapple, this refreshing drink comes together in less than five minutes. Perfect for unwinding after a long day or for impressing guests at your next gathering, this cocktail is all about bringing the exotic flavors and relaxed vibes of the tropics right to your home.
Ingredients
This section is meant to provide an overview of the ingredients required for the recipe. For specific amounts and instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Malibu Rum — This coconut-flavored liqueur gives the drink that sweet, tropical taste. Malibu is a mixture of rum and liqueur with a low alcohol content and added sugar.
- Pineapple Juice — Fruity and tangy, this complements the sweetness of the Malibu and gives an extra oomph of tropical flavor.
- Grenadine — This is a sweet syrup made from pomegranates that’s really popular in mixed drinks. It’s more dense than the liqueur and juice, so it will sink to the bottom to create that beautiful sunset color.
- Maraschino Cherries and Pineapple Chunks — For garnish. You can use canned or fresh pineapple chunks.
- Ice
How to Make a Malibu Sunset Drink
This section provides a brief overview of the instructions but the steps are not detailed. For exact step-by-step instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Fill your glass with ice. Not too much — you don’t want to water down your drink.
Step 2: Combine the pineapple juice and Malibu. Pour over the ice.
Step 3: Slowly pour in the grenadine. It will sink to the bottom because it’s a denser liquid than the rum and juice. Do NOT stir.
Step 4: Garnish the drink with maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks. This step is optional, but it sure makes for a pretty drink, doesn’t it?
Malibu Cocktail Tips and Tricks
- Chill Your Ingredients: For a refreshingly cold cocktail, ensure your Malibu rum, pineapple juice, and grenadine are chilled before use. This will keep your drink cool longer without over-diluting it with ice.
- Layer Carefully: To achieve the beautiful layered effect, pour the grenadine slowly over the back of a spoon after adding the ice, pineapple juice, and Malibu rum. This technique allows the grenadine to settle at the bottom gradually, creating a gradient sunset look.
Additions and Variations
Try other tropical fruit juices: Experiment with other tropical fruit juices like orange, mango, guava, or passion fruit to add complexity and depth to the flavor profile.
Add a little extra rum or swap out the Malibu. Try using different types of rum, like dark rum or spiced rum, for a deeper flavor profile.
Malibu Sunset Drink FAQ
What’s in a Malibu Sunset?
This particular recipe calls for Malibu, pineapple juice, and grenadine with optional cherry and pineapple garnishes. Some recipes use orange juice in place of the pineapple juice or a blend of the two juices.
What is grenadine?
It’s often mistaken for a cherry-flavored syrup, but grenadine is actually a syrup made from pomegranates. You can even make your own.
More Cocktail Recipes for Summer
Feeling extra thirsty when the weather’s hot? Cool down with one of these drinks.
- Key Lime Colada – Named for its origins in Key West, you’ll love this tangier version of a pina colada.
- Keto Mojito – For those times when you want to enjoy a delicious drink but watch your carbs at the same time.
Malibu Sunset Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz Malibu rum
- 4 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz grenadine
- Maraschino cherries & pineapple chunks for garnish
- ice
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Combine the pineapple juice and Malibu, and pour it over the ice.
- Pour the grenadine over the rum and pineapple juice very slowly to create a layered look. Do not stir.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks on a toothpick.