Malibu and Coke

The Malibu and Coke is an exceedingly simple yet popular drink, beloved for its sweet, tropical flavor profile. It combines the creamy coconut and vanilla notes of Malibu rum with the familiar caramel spice and effervescence of cola. This highball is exceptionally easy to make, requiring just two main ingredients poured over ice. Its refreshing and accessible taste makes it a go-to choice in casual bars, at parties, and for relaxed summer sipping.
Malibu and Coke

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Malibu and Coke is classified as a highball, a category of mixed drinks composed of an alcoholic base spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer. It is a simple and popular mixed drink rather than a complex, multi-ingredient cocktail.

Serving

Serve this cold drink in a standard Highball or Collins glass filled with ice. With a relatively low alcohol content, it's a light and easy-sipping beverage.
Serving size
Approximately 210-300 ml / 7-10 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 5-7% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

There is no specific creator or singular story attributed to the Malibu and Coke. Instead, it emerged organically from bar culture following the launch and widespread popularization of Malibu Coconut Rum in the early 1980s. As drinkers sought easy and tasty ways to enjoy the new coconut liqueur, mixing it with the world's most popular soda was a natural and immediate pairing. The drink's rise is a testament to the enduring appeal of simple spirit-and-mixer combinations.
Origin
The drink's origin is tied to the global launch of Malibu rum in 1982. The combination likely became popular in bars across North America and Europe throughout the 1980s as a simple way to serve the new spirit.

Malibu and Coke

This drink is most commonly known by its straightforward name, Malibu and Coke. Some may refer to it more generically as a Coconut Rum and Coke, or shorten it to Malibu Cola. The names all refer to the same simple, two-ingredient highball.
Original name
Malibu and Coke
Alternative names
  • Malibu Cola
  • Coconut Rum and Coke

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a sweet aroma of coconut and cola, leading to a predominantly sweet flavor profile with notes of vanilla and caramel. Its texture is thin and bubbly, making it a refreshing, summery highball with a pleasant coconut aftertaste.
Flavor
Coconut, sweet, cola, vanilla, caramel
Aroma
Sweet coconut, cola
Taste balance
Sweet
Aftertaste
Sweet, lingering coconut
Fizziness
Bubbly, carbonated
Color appearance
Dark brown, translucent, mahogany
Texture
Thin, crisp, effervescent
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by high sweetness from both the coconut rum and the cola, with a noticeable fruitiness and strong carbonation. It is very low in alcohol strength and has virtually no bitterness, saltiness, or spice.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You only need two primary ingredients for this drink: Malibu Coconut Rum and your favorite brand of cola. A lime wedge is often added as a garnish to provide a hint of acidity.
  • Malibu Coconut Rum60 ml / 2 oz
    The signature ingredient. Other coconut rums can be substituted.
  • Cola150 ml / 5 oz, or to top
    Use your preferred brand, such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed; the drink is built directly in a highball glass. A bar spoon can be used for a gentle stir to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
  • Highball Glass
  • Bar Spoon (optional)

Instructions

To make a Malibu and Coke, simply fill a highball glass with ice, add the coconut rum, and top it with cola. A gentle stir and a lime wedge garnish complete this effortless drink.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with cubed ice.
2. Pour the Malibu Coconut Rum over the ice.
3. Top up the glass with cola.
4. Give the drink a very gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
5. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge on the rim of the glass.

Garnishing

A simple lime wedge is the classic garnish. The acidity from the lime provides a nice counterbalance to the sweetness of the rum and cola.
  • Lime Wedge, placed on the rim or squeezed and dropped into the glass.

Dietary Information

This drink is dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and gluten-free, making it suitable for many dietary restrictions, though it does contain caffeine from the cola. It is also considered both vegan and vegetarian.
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately caloric, with its calories coming almost entirely from the sugar in both the rum liqueur and the cola. Using a diet or zero-sugar cola can significantly reduce the calorie and sugar content.
Calories
Averagely 160-200 kcal / 669-837 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 20-25 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for casual, relaxed social settings like parties, barbecues, and informal get-togethers. Its simple and refreshing nature makes it an excellent choice for warm weather and outdoor events.
  • Parties
  • Casual Gatherings
  • Summer Barbecues
  • Beach Bars

Pairing suggestions

The sweet, tropical profile of a Malibu and Coke pairs well with salty snacks, which help balance the sweetness. It also complements light, summery fare such as grilled chicken, fish tacos, or fruit salads.
  • Salty Snacks (pretzels, chips)
  • Grilled Chicken or Fish Tacos
  • Light party appetizers

The Sweet and Simple Charm of the Malibu and Coke

The Malibu and Coke is the epitome of a simple, crowd-pleasing highball. Its appeal lies in its straightforward preparation and its sweet, accessible flavor profile dominated by coconut and familiar cola notes. While not a complex craft cocktail, it holds a firm place in casual drinking culture as a reliable and refreshing choice. Perfect for social gatherings where ease and enjoyment are the top priorities, it delivers a taste of the tropics in a simple glass.

Similar Cocktails

Rum and Coke

The classic version, made with standard light, dark, or aged rum instead of coconut rum, resulting in a less sweet, more spirit-forward flavor profile.

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