21 Easy Malibu Cocktails

Malibu is a coconut liqueur that mixes well with so many different things. You can create a tasty summer cocktail in just a matter of minutes.

Our best Malibu cocktails are quick and easy to make, and you can create a variety of your favorite classics, from beach drinks to cocktails with just a couple of ingredients.

Let’s get started!

1.Pineapple Upside-Down Cocktail

This Malibu cocktail recipe does not just taste deliciously sweet but it’s also quite an eye-catcher with its sunrise layered appearance.

The bright colors on top of each other almost make it more delicious, and the mix of vanilla vodka, pineapple juice, grenadine and amaretto work very well together.

2.Malibu Sunset

While this Malibu sunset cocktail recipe is very similar to the one above, it does not contain amaretto.

Instead, you just add a shot of orange juice to give it a bit more of a citrusy taste.

Another layer cocktail, but this time the colors are even more vibrant thanks to the extra splash of orange.

The Malibu sunset may remind you even of a Vodka sunrise or Tequila sunrise.

Many bartenders believe that the Malibu sunset was created in the early days when Malibu coconut rum first appeared.

It was likely made as a spinoff of the hugely popular Tequila sunrise cocktail in the 1980s (see also ‘26 Delicious Tequila Cocktail Recipes‘).

3.Electric Smurf

With anything that carries the name of the famous Smurfs, you do expect a bright blue color, and this is exactly what you get with this cocktail.

The striking blue comes from the Blue Curacao that you mix with pineapple juice. You can also use pineapple rum instead of the juice. This will give it a little bit of extra buzz.

4.Malibu Summer Rose

The Malibu summer rose cocktail is one of the classic Malibu drinks that everyone should know. It’s a favorite with many holidayers because it’s so beautifully light.

Plus, you can also make it yourself without too much effort. Just mix some coconut Malibu rum, peach schnapps, orange juice, pineapple and grenadine, and then serve with ice.

5.Pink Vodka Lemonade

Lemonade is a classic summer refreshment and you can enjoy it on really hot days. This pink vodka lemonade doesn’t actually use lemonade, instead you just add some Sprite.

In fact, you only need four ingredients, including Sprite (see also ‘20 Delicious Sprite Cocktail Recipes‘), Vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice. 

We would recommend adding a splash of coconut Malibu rum to bring out the flavor even more.

6.Rainbow Paradise

This is the ultimate beach cocktail. With its colorful layers of blue, green, yellow, red and orange, it calls for a long vacation and a tropical sea breeze.

While it does look difficult to make, it is relatively straightforward. Just fill up a cocktail glass with some grenadine syrup. Then add some crushed ice or ice cubes.

Next, mix some Malibu rum and pineapple juice in a separate glass, and pour everything into the grenadine glass. Then, stir the blend to create the orange layer.

For the blue, you need to mix water and blue Curacao, and then gently add this to the glass.

The recipe will take you through each layer step by step, and you will see that creating this luxurious cocktail is anything but difficult.

7.Malibu Sangria

In recent years, Sangria has earned a reputation as a cheap party drink but this coconut Sangria is quite different from the rest.

The mix of Malibu Sangria and white wine with frozen fruit floating on top is the ideal way to enjoy a refreshing cocktail by the poolside.

For the white wine, you can use Sauvignon Blanc as it has some naturally tropical flavors that mixes well with coconut and the tropical fruit.

The flavor of the pineapple juice and Malibu comes out surprisingly well with this recipes, so well worth a try.

8.Malibu Pina Colada

You just cannot ever go wrong with a Pina Colada, especially when you add Malibu coconut rum to it.

This coconut Pina Colada only requires a few simple steps and some basic ingredients.

The smooth, silky texture of coconut milk work very well with the Malibu coconut liqueur, and you can also serve this tasty treat as an alcoholic dessert.

When you work with coconut milk, it’s important to remember to shake it before you mix any of the ingredients.

Also blend all the ingredients together in a blender to create a smooth mixture.

You can use any type of coconut milk, although we found that coconut milk in cartons isn’t quite as creamy and thick as canned coconut milk.

If you decide to go for the usual coconut milk in cartons, then it’s a good idea to add some heavy cream.

Mix them properly and you should also get a beautifully creamy texture.

Besides the right coconut milk, you will also need pineapple juice.

If you are not a great fan of the juice, then feel free to replace it with fresh pineapple. This will also give you a healthy boost of vitamin C.

9.Tropical Mimosas

A mimosa is one of the most famous brunch classics. This tropical mimosa cocktail offers a slight twist to the traditional recipe.

The standard mimosa contains a large amount of orange juice but you can also mix the champagne with grapefruit juice, pineapple juice or cranberry juice.

But no matter what juices you decide to add, there is a generous shot of Malibu coconut rum in these mimosas to add a tropical touch.

10.Malibu Bay Breeze

The Malibu bay breeze cocktail recipe might be one that you come across in bars and fancy restaurants.

It’s an all-time favorite with bartenders, also because the mix of Malibu rum, cranberry juice and pineapple juice is very easy to make.

You only need these three ingredients to create the stunning layering effect.

You may also find that your kids are looking at this island drink because it looks a bit like a refreshing lemonade.

Make a quick version for children with ginger ale and coconut water (as replacement for the Malibu).

11.Lava Flow

When you set on this lava flow cocktail for the first time, you may not believe that it takes only five minutes to make it.

The orange coloring of this tasty frozen cocktail makes it look like volcanic lava with two layers that gently blend.

All you need to do for this delicious cocktail is to mix Malibu rum, some light and strawberries in a hurricane glass.

The recipe will also show you how to add the pineapple juice, banana, ice and coconut cream to create the top white layer.

12.Malibu Rum Punch

Whether you are enjoying the view of a sandy, tropical beach or you are having a garden party at home, a rum punch always works.

The pineapple juice and orange juice in this Malibu rum recipe are a surprisingly good match.

For a little added sweetness, you just add a bit of grenadine. This will round off the warm, peppery flavor.

And if you fancy, you can even add a few orange slices or maraschino cherries as garnish.

13.Mai Tai

The mai tai is a classic bar cocktail but don’t underestimate this deliciously sweet drink. It does pack a punch when it comes to flavor.

Looking at the ingredients, you might not think that the nutty amaretto is a good match for the pineapple juice and Malibu but they combine surprisingly well.

If you prefer more sweet and sour in your cocktail then just add some grenadine.

14.Drunk Bunny

Innocent like a bunny, this Malibu cocktail is made with pink lemonade (see also ‘23 Refreshing Lemonade Cocktails To Make At Home‘) which creates this vibrant pastel color that’s just perfect for a spring drink.

This cocktail is so refreshing that you may be tempted to have it every weekend but it’s worth switching the pink lemonade with a few other types, such as regular lemonade and raspberry lemonade.

Don’t forget to add a splash of pineapple juice, and some sweet marshmallow garnish.

15.Malibu Mistress

You simply cannot miss this Malibu rum cocktail when you see it for the first time. Its vibrant green color just leaves a lasting impression.

And although you may expect more of an apple green flavor, the first taste that you get with this cocktail is the coconut rum.

As this recipe also mixes in some melon liqueur, you will get a strong liqueur touch.

While plenty of other cocktails on our list are perfect for the summer, Malibu mistress makes the best winter cocktail with a little bit of whipped cream on top.

16.Bahama Mama

Even if you are not enjoying the tropical beaches of the Bahamas, you can recreate some of this refreshing and tropical flavor in your own home with this special Bahama Mama cocktail recipe.

It combines two types of rum with lime and pineapple juice. Service it chilled with some icy slush or straight on the rocks.

17.Blue Hawaiian Cocktail

Looking at the Blue Hawaiian, you are forgiven to think that this looks exactly like the Electric Smurf drink.

They both use Blue Curacao but otherwise slightly different ingredients.

If you want to make this cocktail even sweeter, you can add some coconut cream in.

18.Beach, Please Martini

Cranberry and pineapple juices are two firm staples in the cocktail world.

That’s why, it makes sense to use a combined cranberry-pineapple juice to make this delicious Malibu drink recipe.

There is plenty of Malibu and peach schnapps in this martini, so you will get lots of fruity flavors.

19.Jamaican Paradise

If you can’t make it to the beach, then you can bring a little bit of seaside to the poolside with this Jamaican Paradise recipe.

The color resembles the shallow blue of the ocean, and it tastes just divine. But the best about this recipe is that it is super quick to make.

Simply blend all the ingredients in a shaker, and pour the result into a glass. Add some garnish and enjoy!

20.Tropical Peach Pineapple Slushies

Slushies are just the most refreshing in summer, and these tropical peach and pineapple slushies might even be tempting for your kids.

For these alcoholic slushies, you just need to mix pineapple vodka, Malibu coconut rum and tropical fruits.

The instructions are super easy and you can get this together in just a few minutes.

Simply get all your ingredients together and have your blender at hand.

Put all the ingredients in the blender and mix until you get a smooth texture. For an extra sweet shot, put in some grenadine, and garnish with cherries.

21.Malibu And Coke

While most of our best cocktail recipes have something stunningly elegant, Malibu and coke almost sounds too simple to be true.

Yes, this recipe is super easy but don’t underestimate the mix of cola, Malibu coconut rum and lime. There is a zesty fruitiness and sweetness to Cuba Libre.

Plus, most of us have Coca Cola or something similar at home, so you can quickly put this together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Malibu?

Malibu is a brand name which is owned by the drinks manufacturer Pernod Ricard. Malibu is labelled as a coconut flavored liquid which is made with Caribbean rum.

Its alcohol content is typically around 21.0%. Despite that Malibu is actually a liqueur, the drinks producer labels Malibu often as flavored rum (where this is permitted by local laws and regulations).

What Mixes Well With Malibu?

As the coconut flavor of Malibu liqueur works so well with many tropical fruits and fruit juices, you can mix Malibu with lime, orange juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice and grenadine.

But Malibu also combines beautifully with other spirits, such as ginger beer, vodka or ginger ale.

Does Malibu Taste Good With Orange Juice?

Yes, Malibu coconut rum tastes excellent with orange juice. There is even a simple cocktail recipe, called the Malibu Driver, which combines orange juice with Malibu.

Just mix two ounces of coconut rum and some orange juice to get a sweet and mellow cocktail.

How Strong Is A Shot Of Malibu?

Officially, Malibu is a liqueur and not a spirit because it has an alcohol content of 21.0%.

US law only allows alcoholic drinks to be called rum when they have an alcohol content of maximum 20.0%.

This is the reason why the maker of Malibu only call it flavored rum where it is legally permitted.

Final Thoughts

While Malibu isn’t strictly speaking a rum but a coconut, the labelling doesn’t make any difference to the great coconut flavor.

You can mix Malibu with so many different fruit juices and other spirits to create your favorite summer cocktails. Just check out our easy Malibu cocktail recipes above.