Bring the Beach Vibes

by | Jul 23, 2021 | Food & Drink, Recipes

This visually impressive layered cocktail is sweet, refreshing and perfect for summer.

Who’s ready for summer? I certainly am! Being cooped up for more than a year wreaked havoc on my social life, but now I am vaccinated and ready to sip some cocktails by the water with friends.

This cocktail combines grenadine, orange juice, rum and coconut cream. Grenadine is one of my favorite syrups to use in cocktails. Most people think this cherry-flavored syrup is made with cherries, but it is actually made from pomegranates. Its sweet yet tart flavor goes great with the rum.

Orange juice is essential to any well-stocked bar as it pairs well with rum, vodka and tequila. If you want the best orange juice, you will want to squeeze it yourself, but for the sake of ease, this recipe just calls for bottled. Mixed with coconut rum, orange juice is super refreshing and, to me, reminiscent of the beach.

Coconut cream is thick and rich in coconut flavor. You can substitute coconut milk for this recipe but it will not sit on top of the ice the way the coconut cream does. With coconut cream, the layers are much easier to keep separate until the cocktail is mixed. I also think coconut cream is a bit sweeter and more flavorful than coconut milk.

When I created this drink for friends, they thought it was very fancy and took a lot of time. Once they mixed it up and took a taste, they said it reminded them of a cocktail at a resort on the beach. It definitely has that salty-lips, sandy-toes vibe when sipping it.

Bring the beach to your home with this delicious drink, and if you feel comfortable enough to host guests, it will surely impress them.

Print Recipe
Coconut Sunrise
This visually impressive layered cocktail is sweet, refreshing and perfect for summer.
Coconut Sunrise Surf City NC
Course Cocktail
Cuisine cocktail
Keyword cocktail, sunrise
Servings
drink
Ingredients
Course Cocktail
Cuisine cocktail
Keyword cocktail, sunrise
Servings
drink
Ingredients
Coconut Sunrise Surf City NC
Instructions
  1. Pour the grenadine into the bottom of a tall glass, then fill the glass with crushed ice.
  2. Mix the coconut rum with the orange juice and tilt the glass while you slowly pour it over the crushed ice and grenadine. It will mix a bit but most of the grenadine should stay at the bottom for a heavily red color beneath the orange-colored liquid.
  3. While the glass is still tilted pour the coconut cream on top for a creamy-white top layer.
  4. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.
  5. Stir before sipping.

About the author

Sandi Grigg

Sandi Grigg

Growing up in a small town in the foothills of North Carolina and attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I always dreamed of working on the coast. I earned my degree in Marketing/Branding and started to build a life with my spouse and son. Together, we enjoy fishing, going to hear live music and spending time with family. At home I love to cook and write recipes, take on DIY home improvement endeavors and grill out with friends. Being a part of the Carolina Marketing Company team has showed me that you really can enjoy your job, and we feel like a family. I am truly grateful to have a career I love.