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!!
Easy Malibu Rum Drink
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)
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 mixed drink:
- 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.
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.
Can I Make This Malibu Drink as a Batch Cocktail?
Yes. It’s a 1:2 ratio of pineapple-orange juice and Malibu rum, so you can easily scale up from there.
Can I Use All Pineapple or All Orange Juice?
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.
Tips for Making a Malibu Sunset
Juice: 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.
Grenadine: I always eyeball the amount of grenadine I use in this Malibu rum drink, and I encourage you to do the same. Just 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!
Big batch: If making a larger batch of 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.
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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!!
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 Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 460Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 24mgCarbohydrates: 99gFiber: 5gSugar: 81gProtein: 3g
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
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!
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad this was a smashing hit and that you were able to use your duty-free purchase nicely!
I recently had a cocktail day and ran out of Orange pineapple juice, I did have some cranblackberry, everyone knows cranberry and vodka go together, but i was low on vodka and added some parrot bay coconut rum to the mix. It was a big hit. I dont know what to call it though. So my drink was 1 shot vodka, 1 shot parrot bay, and about a cup of cranblackberry, over ice. Help me name it.
Hi, I’m Patricia and made your Malibu Sunset Memorial Day. YUM!!!!
I did your oatmeal chocolate chips cookies a few weeks ago! LOVE. I’ll be doing your grilled pineapple and chicken soon, along with the LEMON SALMON. Can’t wait. Thank you for such good recipes. I’m going to print a few more or your drink recipes. Just had to let you know how happy I found you and your recipes. Have a wonderful life.
Thanks very much and glad you are loving my recipes and glad you found my site as well. Take care and enjoy what you try from my site!
Ooooh this looks so good. I had a drink similar to it at a wedding many years ago and have been trying to find it or something like it ever since. This looks really close!
Wonderful, enjoy!
Seriously SO excited that this only is TWO ingredients!! and that beautiful color too :)
Can’t beat recipes with short ingredients lists!
Any suggestions on substitution for pineapple juice-I’m allergic!
All orange juice would be my suggestion.
Hello, could you tell me please whether I can use orange and pineapple juices separetely? Can I mix it on my own for example 2 ounces of orange and 2 ounces of pineapple and get 4 ounces of orange/pineapple mix due to it? We don`t have orange/pineapple mix in our stores(
I would use what you have available. It’s a flexible recipe. Enjoy!
Just wanted to let you know that the Malibu Sunset made our list of the Best Mixed Drink Recipes http://www.listsforall.com/best-mixed-drink-recipes/ Keep up the good work!
Can you tell me the quantites I would need to turn the Malibu Sunset drink into a 3 gallon party punch?
I haven’t ever done those kind of conversions but why don’t you make the recipe as is, find out how many times you need to make to get 1 gallon, and then multiply for 3 gallons.
One gallon is equal to 16 cups, so 48 cups will make 3 gallons. Here’s how I figure it. You have 6 oz of juice and 2 oz of malibu rum *i’m not including the ice for this measurement*, that gives you a total of 8 oz, which is 1 cup (also known as 1/2 pint or 1/16 gallon). So for 3 gallons of this drink, you’d need 12 cups of rum and 36 cups of juice! hope this helps :)
Wow, these drinks look amazing, I especially love the look of the coconut one!
The Malibu Sunset sounds so yummy! I will be sharing this on SkinnyTinis facebook page! Please check us out! :-)
I just saw this on Pinterest and I’m seriously craving this cocktail now!! It’s gorgeous!
Thanks, Julie. They go down wayyyyyy too easily and fast. :)
I love me a cocktail. Epecially pretty ones like this
Beautiful photos! What a perfect drink :) I can already taste it
Such fond memories. I could use a sip of that beauty now…
Ah, Aruba. Fond memories. GREG
You’ve been here? Oh gosh, wish you were here now! I’ve actually had a couple different blogger meetups here over the years!
Im thinking Aruba is my next travel destination. Wowza! Um, it’s only 10 am. Is it too early for one of these ;)
Never too early :)
Methinks these would go down easily in any kind of weather! I love the happy, gorgeous colour – and the extra Malibu. ;)
Thanks for the Pin, btw!! I’m still Pinning your amazing creations but like I mentioned before, the “@” is wonky lately and you’re no longer you after two rePins. :P
I know, it’s wonky for me too!
Malibu sunsets will put me in a happy place, too! These look rockin’ after a particularly hellish week of work. Bottoms up!
Seeing that beach photo made my throat get dry and I could taste this cocktail. I bet they’d go down easy beachside!! Love the color on this too, it’s so pretty!
Wish you were down here! We’d have a blast!
So jealous! I would love to escape to a tropical island right about now. I guess I’ll just have to settle for the Cape in a couple weeks. I think this cocktail would go well down there too!
Yes it will & have fun!
Really like this post and will try these out for sure. Been a while since I had Malibu. Love the tropical angle. Thanks.
This is exactly what I needed to see on a Friday afternoon. Way to kick of my weekend sister!
:)
It’s so nice you have a special (and omg beeeeeautiful) spot that brings you peace and happiness! I know I’d get those feelings after a few sips of this drink!
First of all, you are in Aruba… I AM SO JEALOUS! YOU LUCKY GIRL! I would love to sip on this beautiful drink while laying out on that beautiful sand! ENJOY your vacay!
Lord but I want one of these – bathroom remodel almost over. Enjoy Paradise!
Oh wow, HANG in there. They’re the worst, but will be so worth it when it’s done! And if you ever do sell, it will make a huge difference and so just think of it as making you money in the long run :)
These are gorgeous! You’re so right, Malibu rum and pineapple are perfect together even if you don’t like coconut. Love all the colors!
I just got back from a beach vacation and I want more! Thanks for the reminder that a good cocktail can take you back!
malibu is my favorite, and I love that they have all the flavored ones now, my two favorite ways for using it are malibu mimosa and my friend got me hooked on alien orgasms this is the one we drink there’s so many recipes out there!http://www.barmeister.com/drinks/recipe/2574/
My favorite way to drink malibu is with mountain dew. Sounds gross, but oh, so good. I wonder what’s in my liquor cupboard now…
After a busy week one of these is just what I need! Love that coconut rum and gorgeous Aruba pics!
This is stunning! Make me a pretty virgin version?? :)
So jealous of your photos of Aruba!! What a gorgeous place, I have to travel there sometime. I love tropical places!
Oooh sweet and tropical! It looks perf! And Aruba is so beautiful :) Oh my gosh I’m jealous. So serene…Enjoy yourself! You deserve to relax.
Hi Averie! Aruba looks so beautiful and I just love that crystal blue water. Yes, drinks like this are the perfect thing to sip on at a beach on a hot day. We made up a batch of our minty limeade and took it down the beach today, so we were sort of one the same page :) I’m loving MN and the big blue skies and the warm lakes. It’s not Aruba, but it’s pretty nice! It’s also nice to get a break from the routine of life, as it makes you appreciate it all when you get back from vacation. xoxo, Jackie
Glad you guys are enjoying your trip and the skies there, and the warm lakes, I do know firsthand how summer and this time of year is magical there!
All I can say about this is YUM!!! I always love fruity cocktails, but I am horrible at coming up with drink recipes so I just go with wine :)
Can’t wait to try this drink! Enjoy Aruba! My husband and I went in May and absolutely loved the island! So jealous! We can’t wait to go back!
We love it here too, so much! Glad you and your hubs were able to come here in May!
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!
Those beachy shots are like food for my soul, Averie! Thanks for giving me a little taste of tropical life :) Can’t wait to try my own Malibu Sunset!
Just so you know, I’m terribly jealous of the beach views ;-) And I still need to make that coconut water pink beauty!
You would LOVE it here!
Ohhh man am I craving a beach right now!!!! And coconut rum…
This is gorgeous Averie!!!
Wow, amazing! And the bright colors really make it more appetizing! I could definitely use one now!
Such a beautiful drink! Glad you are having a wonderful time in Aruba!!
Aruba looks beautiful! I could live on that beach
Me too. They’re not building on it anymore and so anything that’s there, is grandfathered in!
Gorgeous color on this!
Aruba definitely looks like paradise! I feel more relaxed just looking at the pics. I’m all for any drink with coconut rum – it’s delish!
When I’m stressing just randomly in life, I pull up my Palm Beach pics and just stare. A few mins later, I really do feel calmer :)
You are making me crave a tropical vacation like crazy right now!! haha but since that’s not happening, I’m just going to go make a few of these drinks and enjoy them in my pajamas …. while dreaming of vacation : ) Hope you’re having a great time in Aruba!
Enjoying coconut rum in PJs is totally the best sounding start to the day ever :)
Hope your having fun… this drink is on my list for this weekend!
Enjoy! LMK if you make it!
If I’m going to drink anything containing alcohol, I like either sweet and fruity or sweet and creamy! This looks so bright and colorful–the tropics in a glass. I don’t think I’ve had coconut rum before but I’m a coconut lover and up for trying it.
Either sweet and fruity or sweet and creamy = we could be each other’s mixologists :) You’ll love Malibu. You have to try it! It’s what’s in a pina colada (or should be!)
Those cherries, the colors! Is it weird that it makes me want one at 6 in the morning?
When I see drinks on blogs that look good, the time of day never stops me from wanting one :)
Yum! I love Malibu, but I usually just mix it with Diet Coke. This looks so, so much better, especially with that cherry on top.
I like to bring out that tropical vibe and use citrus (pineapple, orange) and then cherries are a must :)
It was so interesting to hop over to your blog and see a cocktail named “Malibu Sunset” after reading a story about Paul Dano starring as Brian Wilson in “Love & Mercy”, a Beach Boys bio pic, that just recently started filming in Malibu. Now, your smashing cocktail is going to make me think of The Beach Boys! Thanks for sharing, Averie. And, have fun while in Aruba!
What serendipitous timing! Sometimes when I see things like that, then I’ll see similar themes everywhere…lately it’s been burrata cheese. Every blog I go to, there’s burrata. Like 6 in the past 2 weeks or so!
There is something about coconut that transports you to a place were Hawaiian shirts and fake grass skirts that totally wearable. Love the grading colour of this drink so pretty!
I really wanted to be able to do a pour shot, with the grenadine just dripping thru the liquid, and dispersing and just sort of suspending but you need a tripod, a free set of hands, lots of out-takes, and potentially wasted drinks, so I went with just the ‘settling’ on the bottom :)
This drink will definitely make me feel like I’m on a beach.