Malibu Sunset — A fun, fruity, easy Malibu drink recipe!! Because there’s really no wrong way to do pineapple, orange juice, coconut rum, grenadine, and cherries. If you’ve never had this fruity alcoholic drink before, you should change that!!
Table of Contents
If you’ve never had this fruity Malibu drink, you really should change that. Someone will say they don’t like coconut, but I don’t think it tastes ridiculously coconutty. Coconut Malibu tastes like what a tropical vacation would taste like!
Technically this fruity drink is traditionally made with a splash of cranberry, but I didn’t have any and wasn’t going to buy any for a splash. Just use more grenadine. Scratch that. More Malibu.
Holy moly this sweet and fruity drink goes down way too easily in the heat and humidity. It’s perfect for spring and summer weather and summer holidays!
This Malibu drink is fruity and sweet without being over-the-top like some fruity alcoholic drinks can be, and it’s so refreshing. I love pineapple juice and it’s a perfect pairing with coconut rum. Cheers!
Malibu Sunset Ingredients
Wondering what to mix with Malibu? Here’s what I suggest for making this coconut rum drink:
- Ice cubes
- Pineapple-orange juice
- Malibu coconut rum
- Grenadine
- Maraschino cherries
- Pineapple and / or orange slices (for garnishing)
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make a Malibu Sunset
This sweet alcoholic drink couldn’t be simpler to make! Here are the basic steps to making my go-to Malibu sunset cocktail:
- Add ice to a glass, followed by the juice and Malibu.
- Then, give it a good stir.
- Drizzle in the grenadine (use however much you’d like!) and garnish with cherries, pineapple, and orange slices. Do NOT stir the cocktail at this point — you want the grenadine to sink to the bottom and form the layers.
Adjusting the Flavor of This Malibu Drink
For a sweeter Malibu drink, use more grenadine. For a less sweet beverage, use less.
Or, use some unsweetened cranberry juice and add a splash of that to brighten up the flavor of this rum mixed drink without adding any sweetness.
Cocktail FAQs
Yes. It’s a 1:2 ratio of pineapple-orange juice and Malibu rum, so you can easily scale up from there. If making a large batch Malibu sunset, you may want to omit the ice and instead pour the rum mixed drink over ice. This way, your cocktail doesn’t get watered down as it sits there.
If you can’t find a pineapple-orange juice blend at your local grocery store, you’re welcome to buy them separately and combine them in this Malibu drink. Equal parts orange and pineapple juice should work, but play around with the ratios to find a combination you love.
A few readers have asked about using either all pineapple or all orange juice due to allergies or because they simply ran out of one. You’re welcome to use just one kind of juice in this rum mixed drink, but I highly recommend using a blend of juices for the best, fruitiest tropical flavor.
No! Be careful not to stir the tropical drink after you’ve added the grenadine as it’s meant to settle on the bottom of the glass!
We randomly bought a Malibu from duty-free and made this at a small birthday get together. It was so simple to do and such a huge smashing hit!
Karishma K
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Malibu Sunset
Ingredients
- ice cubes
- 3 to 4 ounces pineapple-orange juice, I use a blend rather than purchasing separate juices
- 2 ounces Malibu Coconut Rum
- grenadine, drizzled
- maraschino cherries, for garnishing
- pineapple and/or orange slices, for garnishing
Instructions
- Add ice to glass.
- Add juice, Malibu, and stir.
- Drizzle in grenadine.
- Garnish with cherries, pineapple, and/or orange slices.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Drink is intended for those whom alcohol consumption is appropriate. Always drink responsibly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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More Fruity Alcoholic Drinks:
Rum Runner — A fruity and tropical cocktail, but not in a strawberry daiquiri doesn’t-do-much kind of way. This delicious Rum Runner recipe (complete with my secret ingredient!) packs a punch that can sneak up on you!
Mango Coconut Water Tropical Martini — A fresh and refreshing drink made with Mango Passion Fruit vodka, coconut water, and pineapple juice that’s not only tasty, but it’s also lighter in calories so you don’t have to sacrifice.
Tequila Sunrise — Not only is it pretty to look at, but a tequila sunrise is also refreshing, nostalgic, and the grenadine sweetens it up enough that you may not even notice it packs quite a punch!
Tropical Strawberry Lemonade Party Punch — This tropical alcoholic punch is one of my all-time favorite party drinks! Feel free to leave the alcohol out if desired. This punch tastes delicious even without it!
Kiss on the Lips Cocktail — This frozen drink is quick and easy, fruity, tropical-tasting, and the colors are so fun. It goes down way too easily and would be extra refreshing on hot summer days.
Homemade Margaritas— How to make a margarita with just three natural ingredients! Nothing fake, neon green, and no sugary chemicals. This is the best homemade margarita recipe I’ve tried and it’s the easiest!!
Grilled Pineapple Strawberry Lemonade Sangria — This is the perfect thirst quencher and it goes down very easily. Grilling brings out the natural sugars in the pineapple in a wonderfully sweet way that works so well in the sangria.
Cosmopolitan Cocktail — This classic Cosmopolitan recipe is made with vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and cranberry juice. It’s flirty and flavorful yet refined and simple.
Pomegranate Mojito – Everyone will love this fruity twist on a classic mojito recipe! The tart pomegranates and lime blend beautifully and are paired with simple syrup, mint, and white rum for a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect all year long!
Republished August 31, 2018 and May 22, 2020
I think you knew the world would needed a drink like this on a day like today. Thursday and thinking that drink looks pretty dandy!
Ah, it’s so true that Malibu is a taste of holiday. That is one splendid cocktail! :)
I’m going to try a non alcoholic version of this, can’t wait!
If I pick up some orange juice, I’ll have everything I need to make this. I could even drink it on the beach if no one’s looking. This looks beautiful, and I bet it tastes even better.
It tastes pretty darn good :)
Looks a little girly to me, but I do love my rum! I’m sure my wife would love this very much :P Hope you’re having fun in Aruba!
We’re having a blast and the drink is only girly in color :)
This is gorgeous! I can almost taste it!
I haven’t had Malibu in a very long time, looks like I need to give it another try
Oh my goooosh Averie! I love your drinks so much, too bad I’m not 21! The grenadine makes me think of a Shirley Temple – my favorite drink growing up. I’m definitely making this one in 8 months when I turn 21.
Happy early bday :)
I’m sitting on my couch FREEZING right now, and this still looks great. I have never been a huge fan of fruity cocktails, but I’ve been getting into them lately. I just saw that Malibu makes a new Spiced Rum and I’m on the lookout for it….
I can see you coming over to the fruitier side :) I wish we could be sipping these together on the beach here!
That gradient!!!!!! The colors are soooooooooo beautiful!!! Perfect for a hot summer! Love it!
Hmmm that drink looks yummy! Can I come visit in Aruba…Looks beautiful.
I have never had a Malibu but am totally sold after reading the ingredient list! Anything with cherry and coconut I love!
Oh you need to try it then! :)
YUM. I could use one of these today! ;)
Thanks so much for your support of my latest post. I know you understand. If and when I return to blogging, your transition and attitude are going to be a model for me. <3
I was nodding in agreement to the whole thing, and can only IMAGINE what you’ve endured. It was a miracle I didn’t quit 12-18 mos in for all the reasons you mentioned. I had to change focus or else I would have. You cannot please everyone. And the ones you’ve been trying to please are soooo hyper-critical anyway! Girl, you have done an amazing job hanging in there, and where ever your journey takes you, has GOT to be easier than what you’ve been doing for the past 5 yrs! xoxo
Definitely making the coconut water champagne fruit punch, looks to die for!
So jealous! I *love* Aruba! And the drink looks pretty good too :)
Stunning cocktail!