Here’s a brilliant drink that’s visually stunning with a deliciously tropical flavor: the Malibu Sunset! This layered cocktail brings the party with coconut rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Add grenadine and it layers into the gradient of the colors of a sunset! It might look intensely sweet, but it’s sweetened just enough, with a fruity finish from the coconut. This refreshing beachy drink is pure delight! (And we’re not just saying that.)
What’s a Malibu Sunset?
The Malibu Sunset is a layered cocktail with coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. The layers of the drink form a gradient that’s the colors of sunset, similar to a Tequila Sunrise or Vodka Sunrise. It’s commonly made with Malibu coconut rum, which is actually closer to a coconut liqueur than a rum. The history of the Malibu Sunset drink is unclear. Malibu coconut rum launched in 1982, so it was likely invented in the 1980’s as a spinoff on the Tequila Sunrise (itself invented in the 1970’s in California). To make the drink, you’ll need:
Coconut rum (like Malibu Coconut Rum)Pineapple juiceOrange juiceGrenadine
How to make the sunset effect!
The best part of a Malibu Sunset drink? That lovely gradient of color from deep red to orange to yellow! It’s visually stunning and very easy to make at home, with a simple lesson in density. Here’s what to do:
Pour the rum and juices in an-ice filled glass. They’ll mix together because they’re all the same density. Slowly pour the grenadine into the middle of the drink. It sinks to the bottom, because it’s denser than the other liquids. Stir gently once to get the gradient effect. This helps the colors to blend a bit: but don’t do it too much, or the drink will become all one color!
More about Malibu coconut rum
The Malibu Sunset is most likely named for Malibu Coconut Rum, the most common type of coconut rum on the market. The coconut is essential to the flavor of this tropical drink. Here’s what to know about Malibu:
Malibu coconut rum is actually a coconut-flavored liqueur made with rum. That’s right, it’s not really rum. Why is it a liqueur, not a spirit? Malibu has lots of added sugar and a low alcohol level: it’s only 21% ABV. In contrast, rum has no sugar and a 40% ABV.Malibu coconut rum was launched in 1982 as a way for bartenders to simplify making the Piña Colada. It’s the most popular brand on the market, but there are others like Bacardi, Capitan Morgan, and so forth. More with Malibu? Go to Malibu Drinks to Try, like the Bahama Mama, Malibu and Pineapple, and more.
Related drink: the Bahama Mama
Want to try a variation on the Malibu Sunset? Opt for the Bahama Mama instead! The Bahama Mama is a popular beach drink that’s very similar to the Malibu Sunset, but it adds dark rum and swaps orange juice for lime juice. We like to serve our Bahama Mama frozen, so it’s an icy blender frozen drink. But you can also serve it on the rocks, with the gradient effect just like a Malibu Sunset. Head to that recipe for more details.
More rum drinks
The Malibu Sunset is a deliciously refreshing beachy drink that works for anytime: summer, poolside, or a signature drink for a summer dinner party. Here are a few more tasty summery rum drinks to try:
Try a deliciously minty Mojito Pitcher, Strawberry Mojito or Peach MojitoGo for the fresh and tropical PainkillerBlend up a Strawberry DaiquiriOpt for a bright blue Blue Hawaii
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