Looking for a refreshing tropical drink for your next gathering? The Coconut Rum Sunset Cocktail brings together sweet coconut rum with tangy fruit juices to create a beautiful layered beverage that looks as good as it tastes.
This easy-to-make cocktail requires just four ingredients and takes less than five minutes to prepare.
The drink gets its name from the gradient effect that happens when the ingredients are poured correctly. The heavier grenadine sinks to the bottom creating a red layer, while the orange juice and coconut rum form golden and white layers above, kind of like a sunset in a glass.
Perfect for summer parties or beach-themed events, this cocktail can be made in batches for groups or as individual servings. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or cherry for an extra tropical touch—your guests will love it.
Coconut Rum Sunset Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Highball glass or hurricane glass
- Cocktail shaker
- Bar spoon
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Ice cube tray
- Knife and cutting board for garnishes
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 oz coconut rum
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- ½ oz grenadine syrup
- Ice cubes
- Garnish options:
- Pineapple wedge
- Maraschino cherry
- Orange slice
- Cocktail umbrella
Instructions
- Prepare your glass: Fill a highball or hurricane glass with ice cubes.
- Mix the base: Add coconut rum and pineapple juice to your cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Pour the base: Strain the mixture into your prepared glass.
- Add orange juice: Gently pour the orange juice over the back of a bar spoon into the glass. This creates the middle layer of the sunset effect.
- Create the sunset: Slowly pour grenadine over the back of the bar spoon. The grenadine will sink to the bottom, making a red layer.
- Garnish: Add a pineapple wedge and cherry on the rim of the glass, or just place an orange slice on top if that’s more your style.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
The Coconut Rum Sunset Cocktail offers a balanced blend of sweet and tangy flavors. The coconut rum gives a smooth, tropical base that’s not too overpowering—it’s just right.
First sip, you’ll catch those fruity notes from the orange and pineapple juices. The citrus makes this drink super refreshing, especially when it’s hot outside.
The grenadine adds not just color but also a gentle sweetness. It rounds out the drink without making it cloying.
Flavor Profile:
- Primary:Â Sweet coconut, tropical fruit
- Secondary:Â Citrus tang, light rum warmth
- Finish:Â Smooth with a hint of sweetness
The texture is silky but still light. Ice dilution helps mellow the alcohol heat, so it’s easy to sip without losing that tropical vibe.
This cocktail can work as a pre-dinner drink or just something to wind down with in the evening. The layered look is fun, and the taste is surprisingly complex but still really approachable.
Food pairings that work well include:
- Grilled seafood
- Tropical fruit desserts
- Spicy appetizers
The drink’s temperature can change the experience, too. When it’s super cold, the coconut notes really pop, but as it warms up a bit, the fruit flavors start to shine more.
Substitutes
If you don’t have coconut rum handy, don’t worry. Regular white rum works just fine with a splash of coconut cream or even coconut water.
That way, you still get that tropical vibe without making a special trip to the store. Use what’s already in your kitchen—it’s usually good enough.
Going for a non-alcoholic twist? Just skip the rum. Try coconut water or cream of coconut mixed with pineapple juice.
Honestly, a quick squeeze of lime juice adds a nice bit of balance, too. Play around with the ratios until it tastes right to you.
No grenadine in the cupboard? You can whip up a quick version by mixing pomegranate juice with sugar.
Just heat it gently until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool before adding it to your drink.
If you’re keeping an eye on sugar, swap in diet juices when you can. There are even sugar-free grenadine options out there, and honestly, they’re not bad.
You’ll still get that striking sunset look, just with fewer calories. Not a bad trade-off, right?
Out of oranges? Tangerine juice works in a pinch and sometimes gives the drink even more vibrant layers.
