Maldivian Sunrise 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.
Maldivian Sunrise is a bright, easy highball that sits firmly in the modern “vodka-and-soda” family, dressed up with a splash of fruit liqueur for colour and sweetness. It doesn’t have a widely documented backstory in the way the big classics do, so you can treat it as a contemporary, resort-style cooler: light, approachable, and built around simple, familiar bar staples.
You’ll find clean vodka keeping the base crisp and neutral, while melon liqueur brings a soft, candy-like sweetness that immediately shifts the drink into a fruity, summery register. Topped with lemon-lime soda, the profile turns bright and sparkling, with citrusy lift that keeps the melon from feeling heavy and stretches the flavour into a long, refreshing finish.
Serve it when you want something uncomplicated and crowd-pleasing—ideal for warm afternoons, poolside hangs, or casual get-togethers where you’d rather sip than scrutinise. It suits drinkers who like sweeter, fizzy cocktails and anyone easing into spirits without wanting intense bitterness or strong citrus bite.
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:
Vodka keeps the profile clean while melon liqueur brings a candy-sweet, green-fruit note, and the lemon-lime soda lifts everything with bright citrus fizz that turns it into a breezy, lightly boozy spritz. It works because the soda’s acidity and bubbles thin and freshen the liqueur’s sweetness, making it ideal for easy sipping and for drinkers who like simple, sweet, sparkling highballs.
Method
How to make a Maldivian Sunrise
- Vodka 15ml, Melon liqueur 15ml, Lemon-lime soda Top up
-
- Pour Midori and vodka into a highball glass
-
- Add ice and fill with Sprite
-
- Stir and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Maldivian Sunrise 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 can I use instead of melon liqueur in a Maldivian Sunrise?
If you don’t have melon liqueur, you can substitute it with Midori for a similar flavor profile. If looking for a non-alcoholic option, a melon-flavored syrup combined with a splash of lemon or lime juice can offer a similar sweetness and color, though the overall taste will differ slightly.
What are some garnishing ideas for a Maldivian Sunrise?
A Maldivian Sunrise can be beautifully garnished with a slice of lime, a cherry, or even a small melon ball on the rim of the glass. For a more tropical feel, add a small umbrella or a curly straw.
What is the best way to serve a Maldivian Sunrise?
Serve the Maldivian Sunrise in a chilled highball glass to keep it refreshing. Adding ice before pouring the mixture can also help maintain its chill. The vibrant layers of the drink are best enjoyed when served immediately after preparation.
How does the alcohol content in a Maldivian Sunrise compare to other cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 3%, the Maldivian Sunrise is considerably lighter in alcohol compared to many classic cocktails, which often range from 10 to 30% alcohol by volume. It makes for a lighter, more refreshing choice suitable for occasions when wanting to keep alcohol intake low.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Maldivian Sunrise?
Yes, to create a non-alcoholic Maldivian Sunrise, you can substitute the vodka with sparkling water or a clear soda, and use a non-alcoholic melon-flavored syrup instead of melon liqueur. This version still offers the delightful color and flavor, making it enjoyable for all ages.
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
Explore this savory olive and vodka classic.
Dirty Martini
Vodka, Weißer Wermut, Olive juice
Dive into this perfect espresso and vodka blend
Espresso Martini
Vodka, Coffee liqueur, Sugar / simple syrup, Coffee
Sample this perfectly balanced espresso cocktail.
Espresso Martini (Stefano D’Orsogna Variation)
Vodka, Coffee liqueur, Sugar / simple syrup, Coffee
Dive into this playful citrus and melon mix
Ghostbuster
Vodka, Melon liqueur, Pineapple juice, Orange 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