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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cocktails

    Easy Rainbow Cocktail Recipe

    Published: Mar 2, 2020 ยท Updated: Nov 23, 2023 by Tammilee ยท This post may contain affiliate links

    I love this Rainbow Cocktail Recipe!ย  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 on a table with a green background

    Rainbow Cocktail

    Contents show
    Rainbow Cocktail
    Preparation and Storage
    Recipe Variations
    Tips for the Best Rainbow Cocktail
    What to Serve with Rainbow Cocktail
    When to Serve
    Great Recipe Collections
    Rainbow Cocktail Recipe
    Ingredients
    Instructions
    Kitchen Tools
    Nutrition

    It is hard to believe St. Patrick's Day is already in a couple of weeks.ย  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.ย 

    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 Curaรงao - creates the green layer and blue layer
    • Crushed Iceย 

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

    Equipment Needed

    • Collins Glass
    • Bartending Spoon or Regular Spoon

    ย 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!ย 

    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 curaรงao) to ensure no cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients. Pure distilled vodka is naturally gluten-free.

    Alcohol-Free Option: Replace the vodka and blue curaรงao 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.ย 

    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.

    ย 

    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 donโ€™t forget to serve it at your next St. Patrickโ€™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. Patrickโ€™s Day
    • Daytime Party
    • Cocktail Night
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Pride month

     

    Great Recipe Collections

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

    16 Epic Blue Cocktails You Can Make at Homeย 

    55+ Easy Fruity Alcoholic Drinks

    Vodka Cocktails

    Epic Guide to Blue Curaรงao 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 our recipe posts.

    Rainbow cocktail in a tall glass

    Rainbow Cocktail Recipe

    Perfect for St. Patricks Day or any day you need a rainbow in your life this Rainbow Cocktail Recipe is delish and so much fun
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 177kcal
    Author: Tammilee Tips

    Ingredients

    • 1 Ounce Grenadine
    • 3 Ounce Collins Mix
    • 1 Ounce Vodka
    • ยฝ Ounce Blue Curacao
    • Crushed Ice
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Add 1 oz Grenadine to the bottom of the glass add crushed ice
    • Add 3 oz Collins Mix then add 1 oz Vodka and top drink with ยฝ oz Blue Curacao
    • Garnish with an orange and cherry

    Kitchen Tools

    • Collins Glass

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Rainbow Cocktail Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 177
    % Daily Value*
    Sodium 7mg0%
    Carbohydrates 22g7%
    Sugar 15g17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Love this recipe?Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TammileeTipsLife when you share a photo!

    Recipe originally shared March 2015, Updated March 2, 2020

    More Cocktails

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      Orange Tic Tac Shot {Video}
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      Blue Balls Shot {Video}
    • Sweet tart shot in a glass shot glass on a white coaster surrounded by Sweet Tart Candies
      Sweet Tart Shot Fun Candy Inspired Cocktail Shot {Video}
    • tall glass with ice and soda in it with a striped paper straw. Bottles of Malibu rum and Coca cola in the background
      Malibu and Coke

    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

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. valmg

      March 15, 2015 at 6:53 am

      I love a good mixed drink. This sounds like it might be tasty, and I love the blue color on the top.

      Reply
    2. Chrysa

      March 14, 2015 at 9:39 pm

      That drink looks so pretty! Now I want to drink one so I can see how it tastes!

      Reply
    3. Daisy

      March 14, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      This is really cute. It's so perfect for St. Patrick's Day. I love the colors. I could definitely go for one of these this weekend.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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