Dry Malibu Martini Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Dry Malibu Martini sits in the modern “martini riff” family, swapping the usual gin-and-dry-vermouth backbone for coconut rum and a lighter, breezier profile. You’ll find it closer in spirit to contemporary vodka martinis and tropical-leaning up drinks than to the bone-dry classics—built for drinkers who like their martini silhouette with a sunlit twist rather than strict tradition.
On the palate, coconut rum brings a clear, sweet coconut note that sets the tone from the first sip. Vodka adds clean lift and a little extra strength without pulling focus, while white vermouth contributes a gentle, winey herbal edge that keeps the sweetness in check and gives the drink its “dry” impression. A top-up of lemon-lime soda brightens everything with citrusy sparkle, stretching the flavours into a crisp, lightly sweet finish.
Serve it when you want something easygoing but still polished in a cocktail glass—think warm evenings, pre-dinner drinks, or casual celebrations. It’s a natural fit if you enjoy coconut flavours but prefer them tempered with a fresher, more aperitif-like snap rather than a dessert-leaning sip.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Coconut rum leads with sweet, creamy coconut, sharpened by vodka’s clean bite and dried out by white vermouth’s herbal, winey edge, while a lemon-lime soda top-up adds bright citrus fizz that lifts everything. It works because the soda’s acidity and bubbles keep the coconut from feeling heavy and the vermouth reins in sweetness; ideal for drinkers who want a breezy, lightly dry, tropical-leaning martini riff.
Method
How to make a Dry Malibu Martini
- Coconut rum 45ml, Vodka 15ml, White vermouth 30ml, Lemon-lime soda Top up
-
- Combine all the ingredients (except the Schweppes bitter lemon) along with ice in a cocktail shaker
-
- Shake well
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, top up with the bitter lemon and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Dry Malibu Martini with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What's the best way to achieve a cold, not stirred Dry Malibu Martini?
The best way to achieve a perfectly cold Dry Malibu Martini without stirring is by shaking the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker until well-chilled. Then, strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. Shaking not only chills the cocktail efficiently but also integrates the ingredients thoroughly.
What type of glass should be used for serving a Dry Malibu Martini?
A Dry Malibu Martini should be served in a cocktail glass. This type of glass, often referred to as a martini glass, has a wide, open top that allows the aroma of the cocktail to be fully experienced while also showcasing the drink's elegance.
Can I use a different type of rum if I don't have coconut rum for a Dry Malibu Martini?
Yes, you can substitute coconut rum with another type of flavored rum that complements the cocktail's flavor profile. However, keep in mind that the distinct coconut flavor is a key aspect of the Dry Malibu Martini's uniqueness, so you might want to add a few drops of coconut extract to mimic the original taste if using a different rum.
What are some garnish ideas for a Dry Malibu Martini?
A slice of lime or a twist of lemon peel makes excellent garnishes for a Dry Malibu Martini. These citrus elements complement the tropical coconut flavor and add a refreshing aroma and taste to the cocktail.
How does the alcohol content of a Dry Malibu Martini compare to a standard martini?
A standard martini typically has an alcohol content around 30% to 40%, depending on the ratio of gin (or vodka) to vermouth. With an alcohol content of 19.2%, a Dry Malibu Martini is less potent than a standard martini, making it a lighter option.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this fruity rum drink that's pure bliss.
Bahama Mama
Coconut rum, Dark rum, White rum, Banana liqueur (crème de banane), Lime juice, Pineapple juice, Orange juice, Grenadine
Experience this exotic blend of coconut and mint.
Coconut Elixir
Coconut rum, Vodka, Melon liqueur, Mint syrup
Dive into this fruity explosion with melon and coconut
Green Field
Coconut rum, Triple sec, Melon liqueur, Blue curaçao, Orange juice
Key West Cooler
Coconut rum, Vodka, Peach schnapps, Melon liqueur, Orange juice, Cranberry juice
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments