Malibu Bay Breeze
The Malibu Bay Breeze is a sweet and fruity sip of tropical sunshine. With only three simple ingredients – smooth and coconutty Malibu Original, tart cranberry juice and tangy pineapple juice – all beautifully layered to create the most extravagant sunset.
Taking less than two mins to prepare, this delicious and easy cocktail recipe will give any sun-soaked afternoon hang with friends the unforgettable vibes of a paradise vacation.
Ingredients
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1 part Malibu Original2 oz Malibu Original50 ml Malibu Original
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1 part cranberry juice2 oz cranberry juice50 ml cranberry juice
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1 part pineapple juice2 oz pineapple juice50 ml pineapple juice
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Garnish: pineapple sliceGarnish: pineapple sliceGarnish: pineapple slice
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Ice cubesIce cubesIce cubes
Instructions
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1
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes
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2
Add a pineapple slice on the side for garnish
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3
Slowly pour in the Malibu Original, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice (in that order)
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4
Stir gently, if you like, and enjoy!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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 and smooth white rum. It’s a nod to the past with a fresh, contemporary vibe.
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Faqs
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While both share a common base. The Cape Cod or Coddler is basically a Vodka Cranberry, without the addition of pineapple juice, which makes it a Bay Breeze. While a Malibu Bay Breeze replaces the vodka with Malibu Original, which gives it a smooth white rum and tropical coconut flavor.
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No, they’re different. Malibu Bay Breeze is sometimes referred to as the Hawaiian Sea Breeze. However, this is not to be confused with the Sea Breeze, which uses grapefruit juice instead of pineapple juice. Both the Sea Breeze and the Hawaiian Sea Breeze also use vodka instead of Malibu Original.
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Both drinks use Malibu Original and both are beautifully layered. However the Malibu Sunrise uses orange juice and a swirl of grenadine instead of cranberry juice, which gives it a less tart and more citrusy taste profile. Check out our favorite Malibu Sunrise Recipe.
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The Malibu Bay Breeze is fruity, sweet and tropical with only three ingredients. It dominates with the tarty goodness of cranberry, balanced with the vibrant taste of tangy sweetness of pineapple juice and finished off with the white rum and coconut flavor of Malibu Original for a touch of paradise.
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Definitely! We like the dazzling layered effect. But if you want a more balanced experience, simply shake all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice cubes, then strain into a highball glass filled with ice and garnish. Simple!
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A traditional Bay Breeze is made with vodka. But we find that the Malibu adds another level of tropical taste with its delicious and smooth coconut flavor. Since it’s sweeter, it complements the tartness of the cranberry juice. The lower ABV also makes the drink taste smoother, which is another reason this variation is super popular in bars.
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Definitely, but then it’s simply called the Bay Breeze. Which is different to the Malibu Bay Breeze. While this classic cocktail is also popular around the world, it’s made with vodka, which gives it a more neutral taste and has less sweetness. We also think that without the coconut flavor, it doesn’t give it the same tropical vibe.
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We love sweet drinks, but all tastes are different. To make your cocktail sweeter, we suggest adding a little more pineapple juice in the recipe. Or if you prefer, you can add some more cranberry juice as well. Both generally have a high sugar content. For a less sweet drink, our tip is using unsweetened juice instead. You can also balance it out with some fresh lime juice.
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This cocktail is intended to be as beautiful as it is delicious. So we think it’s important to show off its vibrant and layered colors. That’s why we recommend using a highball glass with lots of ice. If you don’t have one, simply use any tall and clear glass you like.
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We’ll leave that up to you. For us, we love the look of the layered sunset-like colors in the cocktail, which also give it a layered drink experience, letting each taste shine on their own. However, if you prefer a more even and unified flavor, then feel free to stir just before sipping. It’s your drink, your way – so stir it up or let it shine!
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We recommend using pure, unsweetened cranberry juice to balance out the drink’s sweetness. However, cranberry juice cocktail can also be used for a sweeter Bay Breeze. It’s all up to your preference!
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Both work just fine, so whichever one you have at home. Canned has lots of added sugar so will be much sweeter. That’s why we prefer fresh pineapple juice for a more balanced and tangier flavor. Still, keep in mind that some brands may be sweeter than others, so feel free to experiment. Or why not try making your own with pineapple chunks and a blender.
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For a layered visual effect, start with the Malibu Original, then add the pineapple juice, followed by the cranberry juice. Make sure to pour the juices slowly over the back of a spoon so they float on top of each other. This will give the drink a gradient look, and then it can be stirred lightly before sipping to blend the flavors.
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Our favorite Malibu Bay Breeze ratio is 1 part (50 ml, 2 ounces) of Malibu to 1 part (50 ml, 2 ounces) of cranberry juice and 1 part (50 ml, 2 ounce) of pineapple juice. However, if you want a stronger kick, try 1.5 parts (75 ml, 3 ounces) of Malibu. For a smoother drink, stick with the recipe or reduce the amount of Malibu slightly. Enjoy responsibly.
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Both work well. Crushed ice can be great for a diluted, refreshing tasting version of the Bay Breeze, as it melts more quickly. However, we prefer cubed ice, since it keeps the drink cooler for longer without diluting as fast. You can decide what you like based on how long you want the drink to stay cold without watering down.
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If you find the pineapple or cranberry juice too acidic, we recommend adding a touch of simple syrup or agave nectar. This will balance out the acidity of the drink.
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Absolutely! The Bay Breeze is all about personalization. If you’re in the mood for a sweeter sip, add a bit more pineapple juice. Craving a tart kick? Up the cranberry juice. Experiment and find the ratio that makes your taste buds happy!
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Absolutely! Scale up the ingredients, mix them in a pitcher, and refrigerate. When party time hits, just give it a good stir and pour over ice. Garnish with some tropical flair, and your prepped Bay Breeze is ready to keep the good vibes flowing.
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Amp up the tropical vibes by garnishing your Malibu Bay Breeze with a wedge of pineapple or a slice of orange. You can even add a maraschino cherry for a colorful touch. Don’t forget a playful drink umbrella!
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 favourite 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!
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