Malibu Sunset Recipe – Taste the Caribbean at Home

The Malibu Sunset is a layered coconut rum cocktail that’s super easy to craft at home without any exotic ingredients or special bar tools. More important, it’s a sweet taste of the Caribbean.

Malibu Sunset with Black Background — Image: ©2foodtrippers

We have an issue with the Malibu Sunset. Sure, it looks like a glorious tropical twilight and, with just a few ingredients, is easy to craft at home. Obviously, we like those features issue relates to the the colorful cocktail’s sippability.

With ingredients that include coconut rum, orange juice and pineapple plus a splash of grenadine, the Malibu Sunset tastes like punch. On a hot summer day, the fruity cocktail is way easy to sip in mere minutes.

Thus, we need to be careful when we craft Malibu Sunsets at home. One refreshing drink could quickly turn to two and so on. Consider yourself warned.

Discover more colorful cocktails.

What Is the Malibu Sunset?

Malibu Sunset from Above — Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Malibu Sunset is a modern cocktail that borrows from two popular cocktails – the Bahama Mama and the Tequila Sunrise.

Similar to the Bahama Mama, the Malibu Sunset is crafted with coconut rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine. However, the Bahama Mama goes further with the additions of dark rum and lime juice. Both rum cocktails are sweet, fruity and fun.

The same can’t be said about the Tequila Sunrise despite its similar name and appearance. The tequila cocktail isn’t so sweet plus it’s way more potent. Tequila has an ABV that ranges from 35% to 55% while Malibu clocks in at a more mellow 21%.

History of the Malibu Sunset

Malibu Sunset with Pink Background — Image: ©2foodtrippers

We’d like to tell you that the Malibu Sunset cocktail was created by a Caribbean bartender who was inspired by an epic tropical sunset that set the sky on fire. However, that wouldn’t be true since our research has not revealed a defiintive origin story for the Malibu Sunset.

What we do know is that the sweet tropical sipper debuted after 1978 since that’s the year that Tom Jago introduced Malibu coconut rum to the world. Jago also created Baileys Irish Cream. The brand is now owned by the monstrous multinational Pernod-Ricard. Ka-ching!

Ingredients

You don’t have to travel to the beach to drink a Malibu Sunset. Instead, you can easily craft the beachy cocktail at home with the following ingredients:

Malibu Coconut Rum – You can technically use any coconut rum when you craft a Malibu Sunset; however, Malibu is the preferred coconut rum in this recipe. Based on the drink’s name, this should be no surprise. Plus, Malibu’s pleasant blend of white rum and coconut flavors is what this coconut rum drink is all about.
Grenadine – We recommend using Monin grenadine syrup unless you prefer using homemade grenadine. The French syrup company doesn’t add any artificial colors or flavors to its bright red pomegranate syrup.
Orange Juice – Freshly Squeezed *
Pineapple Juice- Freshly Squeezed *
Maraschino Cherry – Garnish
Pineapple Wedge – Garnish
Ice Cubes

While your cocktail will still taste great if you opt to use store-bought juices. Don’t use any juices with added sugar. This drink is sweet enough!

Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.

How to Craft a Malibu Sunset

Malibu Sunset Mise en Place — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Once you’ve gathered the necessary ingredients and tools, the first step is to measure the coconut rum, orange juice and pineapple juice.

Measuring Coconut Rum for a Malibu Sunset — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Pour the measured coconut rum and juices into a shaker. While we use miniature angled measuring cups to measure the juices, we use a Japanese jigger to measure the coconut rum. Using this type of jigger enables us to get an accurate measurement and make a clean pour.

Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.

Pouring Juices into a Malibu Sunset — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Add ice to the shaker and shake until the three liquids are chilled and combined – approximately 20 seconds.

We use a Boston shaker for this and other cocktail recipes since it doesn’t leak and is easy to clean. You can buy one from Amazon if you need a new or better shaker.

Adding Ice to a Malibu Sunset — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Strain the cocktail into a highball glass that’s filled half-way with ice cubes.

Straining a Malibu Sunset into a Highball Glass — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Slowly pour the grenadine into the center of the cocktail.

Pro Tip
Don’t stir the cocktail after the grenadine sinks to the bottom of the glass. If you do, you’ll lose the sunset effect.

Pouring Grenadine into a Malibu Sunset — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry.

Malibu Sunset with Garnishes — Image: ©2foodtrippers

The final step is to take a sip and pretend that you’re located on a tropical island. This step is recommended but not required.

Variations

Crafted Malibu Sunset — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Since the Malibu Sunset isn’t a classic cocktail, there are no hard and fast rules with its recipe. Here are a few ideas to get you started in your quest for your perfect version:

Adjust the orange juice / pineapple juice ratio to make a sweeter or less sweet Malibu Sunset.
Add a splash of sparkling water to create a bubbly Malibu Sunset.
Blend with crushed ice to create a frozen Malibu Sunset.
Add dark rum and lime juice to craft Bahama Mama.
Replace the coconut rum with tequila and omit the pineapple juice to craft a Tequila Sunrise.

Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.

Malibu Sunset and Malibu Bottle — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Malibu Sunset?

The Malibu Sunset is a layered cocktail that’s crafted with Malibu coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine.

What are the ingredients in a Malibu Sunset?

Malibu Coconut Rum, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine, Maraschino Cherry (garnish), Pineapple Wedge (garnish) and Ice Cubes

Is the Malibu Sunset shaken or stirred?

The Malibu Sunset is stirred, not shaken.

Did you craft this cocktail? If so, please rate the recipe below.