Easy Rainbow Cocktail Recipe

I love this Rainbow Cocktail Recipe!  It is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, Summer barbecues, or any time you want a fun, colorful, delicious cocktail!

How can you go wrong with this cocktail? It is so much fun and tastes delicious!

Rainbow Cocktail

It is hard to believe St. Patrick's Day is already in a couple of weeks.  I am ready for spring and warmer weather after spending a few days in sunny Gulf Shores, Alabama, this past week. I cannot wait to ditch the winter clothes for Birkenstocks and shorts.

Until that happens, we can all enjoy this layered rainbow drink that is easy to make and tastes delicious.

We enjoyed this Rainbow Cocktail at Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans. Sitting outside soaking up the gorgeous sunshine while sipping this colorful drink was blissful.

I now want an outdoor patio with gorgeous fountains, greenery, and lovely cocktails. You don't have to be a trained bartender to make this great cocktail. 

Ingredients

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

• Grenadine - Creates the red layer
• Collins Mix: Available on Amazon - creates the orange layer and yellow layer
• Vodka
• Blue Curaçao - creates the green layer and blue layer
• Crushed Ice 

Optional Garnishes: Orange Wedge, Orange Slice, and a Maraschino Cherry for More Color

Equipment Needed

• Collins Glass
• Bartending Spoon or Regular Spoon

 A cocktail shaker is not needed for this recipe. You want to preserve the colors of the rainbow effect in this layered drink. Do not stir the drink! 

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead: To preserve the layers, we recommend making this layered cocktail as you plan to drink it.

Recipe Variations

Substitutions: We have yet to try it this way, but you can replace the plain vodka with a fruity-flavored vodka to add more flavor or Malibu rum. If you decide to change the vodka, use a clear-colored vodka so the layers remain as photographed.

Alternative version: There is another version of this rainbow drink that includes grenadine, pineapple juice, coconut rum, blue curacao, ice water and an orange slice made in a hurricane glass.

Vegetarian + Vegan Option: This colorful cocktail should be vegetarian and vegan, as none of its ingredients are animal-derived.

Gluten-Free: Look for gluten-free labels on your mixers (grenadine, Collins mix, and blue curaçao) to ensure no cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients. Pure distilled vodka is naturally gluten-free.

Alcohol-Free Option: Replace the vodka and blue curaçao with NA alternatives to make an alcohol-free Rainbow Cocktail.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: You will need a 10-ounce Collins glass to fit the ice and drink into the glass. If you have 12-ounce Collins glasses, you may need more ice to fill the entire glass. 

We have not tried making this into rainbow shots. We have seen rainbow shots made with each individual color served in its own shot glass.

Make It Spicy: We have seen versions of this cocktail made with spiced rum if you prefer a spiced version of this fruity drink.

Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 15 grams of sugar per serving. Look for sugar-free substitutes for the mixers to lower the sugar content.

 

Tips for the Best Rainbow Cocktail

• When making this cocktail, pour the layers in slowly to get a nice gradient between the different colors. Check out our guide to pouring layered drinks if you need a refresher.

 

What to Serve with Rainbow Cocktail

Let this Rainbow Cocktail be your rainbow at the end of a long day, and don’t forget to serve it at your next St. Patrick’s Day party!

Here are some menu planning suggestions for all-day Irish-inspired feasting.

Sides: CrockPot Reuben Dip, Guinness Beer Cheese Dip, Guinness Beer Bread, Celtic Knot Rolls, Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Main Dishes: Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, CrockPot Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage, Crock Pot Guinness Stew, Corned Beef Shepherd's Pie

Desserts: Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes, Guinness Chocolate Cake, Watergate Salad

Drinks: Homemade Irish Cream, Boozy Shamrock Shake, Fuzzy Leprechaun, Irish Sour Apple Cocktail, Iced Irish Coffee, Guinness and Cider Beer Cocktail, Irish Flag Shot, Pickleback Shot

When to Serve

• St. Patrick’s Day
• Daytime Party
• Cocktail Night
• Spring
• Summer
• Pride month

 

Great Recipe Collections

St. Patrick's Day Drinks, Cocktails, and Shots! 

16 Epic Blue Cocktails You Can Make at Home 

55+ Easy Fruity Alcoholic Drinks

Vodka Cocktails

Epic Guide to Blue Curaçao Drinks

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 all of our recipe posts.

Recipe originally shared March 2015, Updated March 2, 2020