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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cocktails

    Malibu Sunset Drink Recipe {Video}

    Published: Aug 12, 2022 ยท Updated: Nov 6, 2023 by Tammilee ยท This post may contain affiliate links

    Epic Malibu Sunset Drink is a tropical vacation in a glass. The perfect combination of Malibu Rum, Pineapple Juice, and Grenadine in a great-looking tropical drink.

    Malibu Sunset over a glass with orange and red liquid, garnishes with cherries and a pineapple chunk. In front of a bottle of Malibu Rum and tropical umbrellas

    Malibu Sunset Drink

    Contents show
    Malibu Sunset Drink
    Preparation and Storage
    Recipe Variations
    Tips for the Best Malibu Sunset Cocktail
    When to Serve + What to Serve With
    Great Cocktail Recipes
    Malibu Sunset Drink Recipe
    Ingredients
    Instructions
    Kitchen Tools
    Nutrition

    Filled to the brim with Malibu coconut rum, pineapple juice, and grenadine, the epic Malibu Sunset drink is a lovely, yummy tropical vacation in a glass.

    This Malibu Sunset Cocktail is my go-to summer cocktail. It is so easy to make but looks like you spent time layering the ingredients.


    Plus the tropical pineapple coconut flavor is beyond delicious.

    There are recipes that include orange juice to make this Malibu Sunset but we skipped it. This drink is similar to a Tequila Sunrise or Vodka Sunrise but made with Malibu Coconut Rum.

    This tropical mixed drink tastes amazing! Honestly, I would happily sit outside savoring the summer weather with one of these and be happy for a while.

    The cool color separation makes this drink look cool and I love that it actually tastes amazing! You have to love a super yummy drink that looks great!

    How often do you get to enjoy a delicious cocktail that looks like a beautiful sunset.

    Grenadine, Malibu coconut rum, pineapple juice, and an empty glass

    Ingredients

    Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Malibu Sunset Drink! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

    • Malibu Coconut Rum
    • Pineapple Juice
    • Grenadine Syrup

    Garnish - Maraschino Cherry and pineapple chunks

    Want to add orange juice for more flavor? You can also garnish with orange slices to complement this additional element.

    Print the complete recipe below from the recipe card

    Equipment Needed

    One of my favorite things about this tropical fruit cocktail is that you don't need a cocktail shaker or other bar tools - just a great glass and measuring jigger.

    A bartender spoon is optional since grenadine is a heavier liquid that will sink to the bottom, but you can pour the grenadine over the back of a spoon if you want a more defined gradient effect.

    • Rocks Glass
    • Bartenders Spoon
    • OXO angled jiggers - these are our go-to measuring tools for cocktails. They work perfectly for pouring in layers for cocktails.

    How to make a Malibu Sunset Coconut Rum Drink

    I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick and dirty version.

    Step 1 - Add ice cubes to the glass

    Clear liquid poured into a glass with ice cubes. Bottle of Malibu in the background.

    Pineapple juice pouring into a glass with ice and a bottle of Malibu in the background.

    Step 2- Pour in pineapple juice and malibu coconut liqueur.

    Red liquid pouring into a yellow liquid in a clear glass with a bottle of Malibu rum in the background.

    Step 3 - Slowly pour in Grenadine to create the layered look as it sinks to the bottom of a glass.

    Step 4 - Garnish and enjoy

    Red and yellow layered cocktail with maraschino cherry and pineapple chunk garnish in front of a bottle of Malibu coconut rum.

    Preparation and Storage

    Make Ahead + Larger Group/More Servings: Mix the pineapple juice and Malibu rum in a large pitcher to make this cocktail in a large batch. Add the grenadine to a glass, then pour the Malibu and pineapple juice.

    Storage: For the best cocktail experience, enjoy your Malibu Sunset immediately after making it. However, if you want to make it ahead of time for a group, simply follow the instructions above.

    Freezing/How to Freeze: The Frozen Peach Daiquiri in our Epic Guide to Malibu Rum has almost the same ingredients as the Malibu Sunset. You can remove the sweet and sour mix and swap the peaches for pineapple for a version closer to the Malibu Sunset.

    Our Bahama Mama Adult Popsicle is similar in flavor, so use this as a guide for a batch of Malibu Sunset popsicles.

    Big Batch: If you need a large batch cocktail this drink is great. You will want to omit the ice during preparation. If you still want the sunset look pour the sweet grenadine in right before serving in individual glasses.ย 

    Recipe Variations

    Substitutions: While this easy drink recipe calls for Malibu, any coconut rum you enjoy is a fantastic substitute that captures the drinkโ€™s tropical flavor. You can also add or switch up the orange juice to alter the taste; for instance, add a bit of cranberry juice for a tart twist.

    Vegetarian + Vegan Options: The Malibu Sunset drink is safe for a vegetarian diet. According to its FAQs, Malibu confirms that while it doesnโ€™t use animal products in its rum, one of its vendors uses a non-vegan-friendly sugar processing practice.

    Gluten-Free: Malibu also confirms that its entire line of rum offerings is gluten-free. Consult the labels of any mixers you use to verify whether they are gluten-free.

    Alcohol-Free Option: Remove the rum for a mocktail-style Malibu Sunset.ย 

    You can add sparkling non-alcoholic wine for bubbly action or coconut water for a more authentic taste.

    Make it Spicy: Monin retails a Chipotle Pineapple Cocktail Syrup on Amazon that seems stellar for a spicy twist, although weโ€™ve yet to try it.

    Sugar-Free: Unfortunately, the added sugars in the mixers and coconut rum make this cocktail unsuitable for anyone watching their sugar levels.

    ย 

    Layered yellow and red liquid in a clear glass with a garnish of maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks. Malibu coconut rum bottle in the background

    Tips for the Best Malibu Sunset Cocktail

    • Slowly drizzle the grenadine over the back of a spoon to get it to layer on the bottom. We use the OXO Angled Jigger and pour it down the side of the glass. You can also mix in a splash of grenadine with the cocktail.
    • If you want more of a gradient of sunset colors throughout the entire drink, stir the drink gently after pouring in the grenadine. Just do a tiny bit, or everything will mix into one color.
    • I have heard that this drink is called a Malibu Barbie or a Panty Dropper.

     

    When to Serve + What to Serve With

    The tropical flavors in the Malibu Sunset are a natural pairing for any Caribbean, Tex-Mex, or south-of-the-border Mexican feast. Here are some ideas to get you started.

    Sides: Black Bean Salsa, Cranberry Salsa, 7-Layer Taco Dip, Slow-Cooker Crockpot Jamaican Jerk Wings, Crock Pot Spicy Mango Jerk Chicken Wings, Southwestern Black Bean and Corn Salad, Cilantro Lime Rice

    Main Dishes: 3-Ingredient Lazy Enchiladas, Jalapeรฑo Beer Brats, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese, Crockpot Mango Chicken, Slow-Cooker Nacho Chicken, Carne Asada Street Tacos, Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Avocado Butter ย 

    Desserts - Margarita Pie, No Bake Key Lime Pie, Orange Pineapple Pig Pickinโ€™ Cake, Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding, 2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake, Carrot Cake with Pineapple Coconut, and Port Wine, Berry and Coconut Sorbet

    ย 

    Great Cocktail Recipes

    Rum and Sprite

    Orange Moscow Mule

    Blue Shark Cocktail

    Coral Reef Cocktail

    French Kiss Cocktail

    Cactus Colada

    Cherry Bomb Shot

    Check out all of our cocktail recipes!ย 

    Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.

    Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for our recipe posts.

    Malibu sunset drink in a clear glass garnished with maraschino cherries and pineapple chunk

    Malibu Sunset Drink Recipe

    How to make a Malibu Sunset Drink with Malibu Rum, Pineapple Juice, and grenadine. A fantastic tropical rum drink.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 252kcal
    Author: Tammilee Tips

    Ingredients

    • 2 Ounce Malibu Coconut Rum
    • 3-4 Ounce Pineapple Juice
    • 1 Ounce Grenadine
    • Maraschino cherries Garnish
    • pineapple chunks Garnish

    Instructions

    • Add ice to a glass, pour in Malibu Rum and Pineapple Juice
    • Slowly pour grenadine down the back of the glass so it sinks to the bottom for the layered look.
    • Garnish with maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks.

    Kitchen Tools

    • OXO Angled Measuring Cup
    • Rocks Glass

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Malibu Sunset Drink Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 252 Calories from Fat 1
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 0.1g0%
    Saturated Fat 0.01g0%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.04g
    Monounsaturated Fat 0.01g
    Sodium 10mg0%
    Potassium 120mg3%
    Carbohydrates 30g10%
    Fiber 0.2g1%
    Sugar 22g24%
    Protein 0.3g1%
    Vitamin A 4IU0%
    Vitamin C 9mg11%
    Calcium 13mg1%
    Iron 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    About Tammilee

    Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
    You can find Tammilee on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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