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This Malibu Bay Breeze is a sweet, tropical cocktail made with just coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. It comes together in one glass in about five minutes, or scales up to a pitcher for a crowd. It’s my easy go-to for summer parties and slow afternoons on the porch.
More easy tropical cocktails: Rum Punch Cocktail | Blue Lagoon Cocktail | Pineapple Strawberry Mimosa
Before You Get Started
A Malibu Bay Breeze is about as simple as cocktails get, but a few small choices make a big difference.
- Chill your ingredients first. Cold rum and juices mean less ice melt and a drink that never tastes watered down.
- Choose your cranberry juice on purpose. Cranberry juice cocktail makes it sweeter, while 100% cranberry juice keeps it tart and more balanced.
- Build it right in the glass. No shaker needed. Pour equal parts, then adjust the rum to taste.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How to Make a Malibu Bay Breeze
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
This is a three-ingredient build, so there’s no shaking or special equipment. Malibu is the classic pick, but any coconut rum works. It’s a lighter, sweeter liqueur at around 21% ABV, so the drink stays easy to sip.
Step 1: Fill the glass with ice
Fill a tall glass or rocks glass with plenty of ice.
Starting cold keeps the drink crisp and slows down melting.
Step 2: Pour and stir
Add 2 ounces each of coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice, then give it a quick stir.
- For a prettier layered look, pour the pineapple juice first and add the cranberry juice slowly so it settles toward the bottom.
Step 3: Garnish and serve
Add a pineapple wedge, a few maraschino cherries, or a lime wedge. A little paper umbrella makes it feel like vacation.
Serve right away while it’s cold.
Optional: Make a pitcher for a crowd
To batch it, combine equal parts coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice in a pitcher and stir. About 1 cup of each makes 4 to 5 drinks, so scale up from there.
Chill until ready to serve, up to 24 hours ahead, and pour over fresh ice.
- Bay Breeze, Sea Breeze, or Malibu? A classic Bay Breeze is made with vodka, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. Swap the vodka for coconut rum and you’ve got a Malibu Bay Breeze. A Sea Breeze is the grapefruit cousin, made with vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit juice instead.
- Want to switch it up? Regular rum or pineapple rum both work in place of coconut rum, and grapefruit, orange, or passion fruit juice can stand in for the pineapple.
Need more warm-weather drinks? Check out my collection of 30 Cocktails for Summer Sipping for more.
Storage Tips
Storage and Make Ahead
Malibu Bay Breeze is best fresh, but a batch holds up well for a party.
Make ahead: Mix a pitcher up to 24 hours in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge. Add ice to glasses just before serving so it doesn’t dilute.
Leftovers: Store any extra in a covered pitcher in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Give it a stir and pour over fresh ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Malibu Bay Breeze without alcohol?
Yes. Skip the rum and use equal parts pineapple and cranberry juice, then add a splash of cream of coconut or coconut water for that signature coconut flavor. It’s a great option for kids and anyone skipping the alcohol.
How do I make a big batch or pitcher?
Use equal parts coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. About 1 cup of each makes 4 to 5 drinks, so scale up from there. Mix it in a pitcher, chill, and pour over fresh ice when you’re ready to serve.
More Easy Summer Cocktails
Malibu Bay Breeze
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- Maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
- Pineapple wedge for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a tall or rocks glass with ice. Starting cold keeps the drink from watering down.
- Add the coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice, then stir well.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries, a pineapple wedge, or a lime wedge, and serve right away while cold.
- To make a pitcher, combine equal parts of each in a pitcher and stir. Chill up to 24 hours ahead and pour over fresh ice.
Notes
- Rum: Malibu is the classic pick, but any coconut rum works. At around 21% ABV it stays an easy sipper.
- Cranberry juice: Juice cocktail makes a sweeter drink, while 100% cranberry juice is more tart and balanced.
- Chill everything: Start with cold rum and juices so the ice doesn’t water it down.
- For a layered look: Pour the pineapple juice first, then add the cranberry juice slowly so it settles toward the bottom.
- For a crowd: Combine equal parts in a pitcher, about 1 cup of each per 4 to 5 drinks, and chill up to 24 hours ahead.
- Make it a mocktail: Skip the rum and add a splash of cream of coconut for the coconut flavor.
- Storage: Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for 1 to 2 days and pour over fresh ice.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
