Ingredients

The Base Spirits:

1 ½ oz (45 ml) Light Rum: Use a high-quality white or silver rum (e.g., Bacardi Superior, Plantation 3 Stars). This provides a clean, sweet sugarcane base without overpowering the other flavors.
½ oz (15 ml) Dark Rum: This is for the top “ocean” layer. A darker, richer rum like Gosling’s Black Seal or Kraken works perfectly. Its molasses notes and density are key for floating.

The Fruit Components:

2 oz (60 ml) Passion Fruit Puree: This is the essential tropical element. For the best flavor, use a high-quality, unsweetened puree (like Funkin or Giffard). Do not use passion fruit juice cocktail, as it is too sweet and thin.
1 oz (30 ml) Fresh Orange Juice: Provides a bright, sweet citrus note. Freshly squeezed is highly recommended for the best flavor.
½ oz (15 ml) Fresh Lime Juice: The crucial acidic component that balances the sweetness and adds a refreshing zing.

The Sweetener:

¾ oz (22 ml) Grenadine: This serves two purposes: it provides a necessary sweetness to balance the citrus, and its deep red color is the foundation for the sunset gradient. A high-quality grenadine (like Small Hand Foods or homemade) is preferred over the bright red, corn-syupy versions.

The Special Effect:

1-2 drops of Orange Flower Water or Rose Water (optional): This adds a incredibly subtle, floral aroma that enhances the exotic, vacation-like feel of the drink.

The Garnish:

Orange Wheel and a Maraschino Cherry: Skewered on a cocktail pick for a classic touch.
Fresh Mint Sprig: For an aromatic and fresh aroma.
Coarse Sea Salt Spray: A light spritz over the finished drink on the glass rim to evoke the scent of sea air.

Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps for making this delightful Seaside Sunset.

Step 1: Chill Your Glass
Begin by filling a highball or Collins glass with ice to chill it. This step ensures your cocktail stays cold longer during the assembly process. Let it sit while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Sunset Mix
In a cocktail shaker, combine the light rum, passion fruit puree, fresh orange juice, and fresh lime juice. If using, add the drop of orange flower water. Do not add ice to the shaker yet.

Step 3: Sweeten and Dilute
Add the grenadine syrup to the shaker. Now, fill the shaker ¾ full with fresh ice. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. This step is critical to properly chill, dilute, and emulsify the ingredients.

Step 4: Strain into Glass
Discard the ice from your chilled glass. Strain the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorne strainer into the empty glass. The mixture should fill the glass about ⅔ of the way, showing a vibrant orange color.

Step 5: Create the Ocean Layer
This is the key technique. Hold a bar spoon upside down, just above the surface of the liquid, with the back of the spoon touching the inside of the glass. Slowly and gently pour the ½ oz of dark rum over the back of the spoon. The dense, dark rum will flow smoothly over the spoon and settle on top of the lighter, sweeter mixture, creating a distinct dark layer that mimics the deep ocean at night.

Step 6: The Final Touches
Lightly spritz the rim of the glass with a fine mist of the coarse sea salt spray. Do not salt the entire rim; the goal is a hint of aroma, not a salty taste. Garnish with the skewered orange wheel and cherry, and place a sprig of fresh mint on top.

Step 7: Serve Immediately
Serve the cocktail immediately with a straw. Instruct your guest to give it a gentle stir before drinking to incorporate the layers and create a unified flavor profile, turning the sunset into a beautiful, swirling masterpiece

Notes

Cocktail Shaker
Hawthorne Strainer
Jigger (for accurate measurement)
Bar Spoon (essential for layering)
Highball or Collins Glass

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Category: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 250
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 5mg
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 0.5g