This Summer Rainbow Layered Cocktail is pure sunshine in a glass, five vibrant layers of flavor and color that stack seamlessly for a show-stopping sip. Lightly sweet grenadine, tangy orange juice, tropical pineapple, crisp lemonade, and a final splash of blue curaçao come together to create a stunning gradient from red to blue. It’s the perfect party drink to wow your friends, celebrate warm evenings, or brighten any brunch table.
Equipment Needed
- Tall, clear highball or Collins glasses
- Bar spoon or small spoon with a narrow handle
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Cocktail shaker (optional, for lemonade layer)
Timings & Servings
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
- Yields: 2 cocktails
Nutritional Information (per cocktail)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Carbs: 25 g
- Sugar: 22 g
- Alcohol: ~1.5 oz spirits (roughly 12% ABV)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp grenadine (red layer)
- 2 oz freshly squeezed orange juice (orange layer)
- 2 oz pineapple juice (yellow layer)
- 2 oz lemonade (lemon-lime soda or homemade) (light layer)
- 1 oz blue curaçao (blue layer)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Red base: Divide grenadine evenly between two glasses. Add a few ice cubes (just enough to reach about ¼ of the glass).
- Orange layer: Gently pour 1 oz orange juice over the back of a bar spoon so it floats atop the grenadine. Top each glass to about ⅓ full.
- Yellow layer: Repeat with pineapple juice, spoon-layering 1 oz on top of the orange for a distinct band.
- Lemon layer: If using homemade lemonade, shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain gently over the back of the spoon into each glass.
- Blue top: Finally, spoon ½ oz blue curaçao slowly over the previous layers so it settles on top, creating the blue crown.
- Serve: Insert a colorful straw and serve immediately—encourage guests to admire the rainbow before stirring!
Hints, Tips & Substitutions
- Layering trick: Always pour over the back of a spoon held just above the previous layer to slow the pour. Go very slowly, letting each layer settle before adding the next to get perfect distinct layers
- Non-alcoholic: Swap blue curaçao for blue sports drink or butterfly-pea-flower tea, and skip grenadine’s booze-free version.
- Flavor boost: Rim the glass with sugar blended with citrus zest (lemon or orange) for extra sparkle.
- Make-ahead: Pre-measure juices in small bottles and keep chilled; build layers to order.
- Garnish options: Add a wheel of orange on the rim, a pineapple leaf, or edible flowers for an extra festive touch.
Epic 5-Ingredient Rainbow Layered Cocktail Ready in 10 Minutes
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This Summer Rainbow Layered Cocktail is pure sunshine in a glass, five vibrant layers of flavor and color that stack seamlessly for a show-stopping sip. Lightly sweet grenadine, tangy orange juice, tropical pineapple, crisp lemonade, and a final splash of blue curaçao come together to create a stunning gradient from red to blue.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Red base: Divide grenadine evenly between two glasses. Add a few ice cubes (just enough to reach about ¼ of the glass).
- Orange layer: Gently pour 1 oz orange juice over the back of a bar spoon so it floats atop the grenadine. Top each glass to about ⅓ full.
- Yellow layer: Repeat with pineapple juice, spoon-layering 1 oz on top of the orange for a distinct band.
- Lemon layer: If using homemade lemonade, shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain gently over the back of the spoon into each glass.
- Blue top: Finally, spoon ½ oz blue curaçao slowly over the previous layers so it settles on top, creating the blue crown.
- Serve: Insert a colorful straw and serve immediately—encourage guests to admire the rainbow before stirring!
Nutrition
Notes
Hints, Tips & Substitutions
- Layering trick: Always pour over the back of a spoon held just above the previous layer to slow the pour. Go very slowly, letting each layer settle before adding the next to get perfect distinct layers
- Non-alcoholic: Swap blue curaçao for blue sports drink or butterfly-pea-flower tea, and skip grenadine’s booze-free version.
- Flavor boost: Rim the glass with sugar blended with citrus zest (lemon or orange) for extra sparkle.
- Make-ahead: Pre-measure juices in small bottles and keep chilled; build layers to order.
- Garnish options: Add a wheel of orange on the rim, a pineapple leaf, or edible flowers for an extra festive touch.
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