Best Malibu Bay Breeze Recipe

Ingredients

1 part Malibu Original

1 part Cranberry Juice

0.5 parts Pineapple Juice

Garnish: Pineapple Slice

Ice

50 ml Malibu Original

50 ml Cranberry Juice

30 ml Pineapple Juice

Garnish: Pineapple Slice

Ice

2 oz Malibu Original

2 oz Cranberry Juice

1 oz Pineapple Juice

Garnish: Pineapple Slice

Ice

Instructions

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes
Slowly pour in Malibu Original, pineapple juice and cranberry juice (in that order)
Add a pineapple slice on the side for garnish
Gently stir, if you like, and enjoy!

Ingredients you’ll need

Malibu Original: The star of the show. Malibu adds that iconic tropical coconut taste with a hint of sweetness. Its light rum base also gives a subtle kick without overpowering the other flavors. Traditionally, the Bay Breeze uses vodka, which is less sweet, giving the drink a more straightforward, fruity taste without the tropical coconut flavor. But just like us, many prefer the Malibu version, which is why bartenders often ask which one you mean at a bar.

Cranberry Juice: This balances the drink’s sweetness with its tartness, enhancing the overall fruitiness and adding a refreshing taste. It also gives the cocktail its signature pinkish-red color. If you don’t have any cranberry juice, we suggest trying pomegranate juice for a similar tart flavor with a richer color. For another layer of flavor, try a cranberry-grape blend. We always recommend using pure fresh cranberry juice. For a less sweet drink, use sugar-free pure cranberry juice. Remember, cranberry juice cocktail has added sugar, so it will make your drink sweeter. But it’s all up to your taste.

Pineapple Juice: This brings the tropical sweetness and a bit of acidity, which pairs perfectly with Malibu’s coconut flavor. For a sweeter drink, use more pineapple juice in the recipe. Or a blend of pineapple and apple juice for a slightly less acidic option. If you don’t have pineapple juice, we like using mango juice or orange juice for a fruity twist- We also recommend fresh juice, as always, for its vibrant, slightly tart flavor and natural sweetness, enhancing the cocktail without being overly sugary. Fresh juice also adds a bit of pulp, which can give the drink a more authentic texture.

Pineapple Slice (garnish): We suggest using a fresh pineapple slice for an added burst of fruit flavor. Lemon or lime slices and wedges work great too, adding a similar zesty aroma. If you don’t have fresh pineapple, try a slice of orange or a cherry as an alternative tropical garnish. Remember, as always, garnishes are optional.

Ice Cubes: This keeps the cocktail deliciously cold. As the ice melts, it slightly dilutes the cocktail, softly balancing Malibu’s sweetness with the tart cranberry and pineapple juices, creating a lighter and more drinkable experience. But remember, keeping it in the drink too long makes it watery. Which no-one likes. That’s why we prefer using large ice cubes instead of small ice pieces to slow down the dilution. Our favorite tip is to also chill your ingredients beforehand.

Tools you’ll need

Jigger or Measuring Tool: This is for measuring the exact amounts of Malibu Original, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. If you don’t have one, our tip is to use a shot glass or a table spoon to measure instead.

Highball Glass: This is the classic glass to use for the Malibu Bay Breeze to show off its beautiful and vibrant colors. We find it also helps keep the drink chilled when there’s lots of ice inside. That said, any tall and clear glass works just as well.

Bar Spoon/ Long Spoon: This is to gently mix the cocktail in the glass. You can also use a paper straw. We recommend doing this after serving, so your guest has a chance to see the signature tropical sunset effect. It also helps to evenly blend the flavors before sipping, but it’s up to you if you want to mix.

Knife and Cutting Board: Use this for cutting or slicing the pineapple for your garnish. Just make sure the board is dry before using it to prevent the ingredients from slipping.

OUR PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THE MALIBU BAY BREEZE

1. Use large ice cubes

This Malibu Bay Breeze recipe is sweet, tart and fruity. So a little bit of ice melted can help soften and smoothen the taste profile. But too much and it becomes watery. Which is why our tip is to use large ice cubes that can keep the drink chilled without melting too fast, like it would if you were using smaller ice pieces.

2. Use fresh juices

We recommend using fresh juices in many of our drinks. But especially in this one since it makes up so much of the recipe. Fresh juice gives a more vibrant and naturally sweet taste, with the pulp giving a bit of authenticity in the texture.

3. Adjust sweetness to taste

Everyone’s tastes are different. So we suggest you experiment with the sweetness to find your preference. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, try using cranberry cocktail juice, which contains more sugar, or adding more pineapple juice in your drink recipe. For a less sweet cocktail, use unsweetened juice. Or for our pro tip, add a splash of fresh lime juice to balance out the sweetness.

4. Refrigerate your ingredients

We love our drinks cold! Since this drink isn’t shaken, we recommend chilling your ingredients before pouring. This is so the ice doesn’t melt too quickly when cooling down the ingredients in the glass, making for an overall tastier and less-diluted drink.

5. Layer with a spoon

The Malibu Bay Breeze is intended to have a dazzling layered effect. That’s why we suggest following the order of the recipe when adding in the ingredients, and slowly pouring the juices in with the back of a spoon to create the floating layers. Remember, this can affect the taste. So feel free to gently stir before sipping for a unified flavor or leave it unstirred for a layered drink experience.

MORE ABOUT THE MALIBU BAY BREEZE

The Malibu Bay Breeze is a sweet, fruity and beautifully layered symphony of Malibu Original, cranberry juice and pineapple juice. It’s a delicious taste explosion combining the tart kiss of cranberry mingling with the luscious sweetness of pineapple, all tied together with the smooth, coconut embrace of Malibu Original. Making it a tropical experience that’ll have your taste buds doing the hula. In only a few easy steps and some simple ingredients you may have lying around in your kitchen, this Malibu Bay Breeze recipe is perfect for lazy afternoons, beach parties or your next summer backyard party.

Malibu Bay Breeze or Bay Breeze – what’s the difference?

The Bay Breeze is a modern classic that emerged from Hawaii in the 1950s and has been stealing hearts ever since. Born in the tiki bars of yesteryear, it’s a cocktail that encapsulates the carefree spirit of beachside revelry. They both feature cranberry juice and pineapple juice but the Bay Breeze uses vodka as its base spirit. The Malibu Bay Breeze takes this classic to new heights, infusing it with the unmistakable coconut twist of Malibu Original and smooth white rum. It’s a nod to the past with a fresh, contemporary vibe.

FAQs

What can I do with my leftover ingredients?

Let’s talk zero-waste! Depending on how big or small your party is, and how much of each ingredient you use, you may be left with some additional Bay Breeze ingredients. Don’t throw them away. Instead, here are some of our favorite ideas for things to do with the leftovers:

Leftover Malibu Original: Our favorite ingredient because you can use it in so many cocktails. It has a shelf life of 2 years, so why not save some for next time you’re making Malibu Bay Breezes. Feel like mixing it up at your next get-together, try some of our other signature cocktails, like the Malibu Sunrise or the classic Piña Colada.

Leftover Cranberry Juice: A super versatile ingredient in lots of cocktails. For example, one we love is the simple Malibu and Cranberry Juice. Or if you’re down for some non-alcohol options, you can use it to make smoothies, simply drink it on its own, or try one of our favorites – homemade popsicles. Simply freeze the cranberry juice in some popsicle molds for a delicious and hydrating, fruity ice pop.

Leftover Pineapple Juice: Try one of our most popular cocktails – Malibu and Pineapple Juice. It’s super simple to make, as the name suggests. You can also make some simple frozen pineapple cubes for future cocktails. Or check out some of our other Malibu and Pineapple Juice Cocktails.

Leftover Pineapple: If you haven’t used all your garnish, fresh pineapple slices or chunks are delicious to enjoy on their own as a healthy summer snack. One of our favorite things to do is grill them for a caramelized and smoky dessert topped with ice cream. Yum!