8 Popular Layered Cocktails that Always Make a Splash & Impress

There is a time and place to play it safe, and then there are those occasions when you feel like going all out and making a splash – this is when we like to whip out one of our popular layered cocktails. Striking, colorful, and always impressive-looking, these unconventional cocktails make a great conversation starter, as well as awesome additions to themed parties that call for a little something special.  

1. Tequila Sunrise

If you’re new to layered cocktails, the Tequila Sunrise is a classic that makes it easy to look like a pro. Built on tequila and orange juice, this vibrant drink gets its iconic “sunrise” look from a final pour of grenadine. Because the syrup is denser than the other ingredients, it naturally sinks to the bottom of the glass, leaving you with a fiery red base that slowly fades into golden citrus above — a glass that’s as much a vibe as it is a drink.

Espolòn Tequila Blanco is a great fit for a Tequila Sunrise, thanks to its vibrant, crisp flavor profile that complements the cocktail’s fruity layers. With its subtle hints of citrus and agave, this tequila underpins the sweetness of orange juice and grenadine while maintaining a balanced, refreshing finish. It’s the perfect base for this classic sunrise sipper.

2. B-52

Just like the well-known B-52 party shot, the B-52 cocktail features equal quantities of the three liqueurs, namely coffee, Irish cream, and orange liqueur. This results in a coffee-cream drink with a sweet orange kick. We love using Grand Marnier in these pretty layered alcoholic drinks – it’s all the bitter orange tang you need to deliver a perfect balance! This also happens to be one of our all-time best after-dinner cocktails to impress a crowd.  

3. Bikini Martini

This tropical stunner layers coconut, pineapple, and vodka with a pop of grenadine for a bold, beachy serve that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredients

• 4 oz Coconut rum
• 4 oz Pineapple juice
• 2 oz SKYY Vodka
• 1 oz Grenadine
• Maraschino cherries, to garnish
• Pineapple wedge, to garnish
• Ice

Method

1. Add the coconut rum, pineapple juice, vodka, and ice to a cocktail shaker
2. Shake until chilled
3. Strain into Martini glasses
4. Slowly pour in the grenadine to create a layered effect
5. Garnish with maraschino cherries and a pineapple wedge

4. Rainbow Layered Cocktail

Colorful and fruity, the Rainbow Layered Cocktail is a party in a glass; it’s bright, bold, and perfect for showing off your layering skills.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Grenadine
• 0.5 oz Peach schnapps
• 1.5 oz Pineapple juice
• 1 oz SKYY Vodka
• 0.5 oz Blue curaçao
• Orange slice, to garnish
• Cherry, to garnish
• Ice

Method

1. Pour the grenadine into the bottom of a serving glass
2. Shake the peach schnapps and pineapple juice with ice, then carefully pour over the grenadine to form the second layer
3. Shake the vodka and blue curaçao with ice, then slowly layer on top of the yellow layer
4. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry

5. Malibu Sunset

This layered drink recipe makes for a wonderful aperitif cocktail in the summertime. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz Coconut rum
• 4 oz Pineapple juice
• 1 oz Grenadine
• Pineapple wedge, to garnish
• Cherry, to garnish
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a serving glass with ice
2. Pour in the coconut rum and pineapple juice
3. Gently pour the grenadine down the side of the glass so it settles at the bottom
4. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry

6. Carajillo

The Carajillo cocktail keeps things simple yet striking, with bold espresso meeting sweet, vanilla-kissed liqueur in perfect harmony. Poured over ice, the layers naturally separate into dark and golden tones, giving the drink a moody, elegant look. Expect a sip that’s equal parts smooth, bittersweet, and indulgent; a little pick-me-up with plenty of style.

7. Red White & Blue Layered Cocktail

If there ever was a drink that was tailor-made for Independence Day, the Red White & Blue Layered Cocktail would be it! If you are amping up your skills in terms of how to make layered alcoholic drinks at home, this is also a nice option to usher you to that next level.  

Ingredients

• 1 oz SKYY Vodka
• 1 oz Blue curaçao
• 3 oz Lemonade
• 1 oz Grenadine
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a serving glass with ice
2. Pour the grenadine into the glass to form the base layer
3. Shake the lemonade and vodka with ice, then gently pour over the back of a spoon to create the middle layer
4. Slowly add the blue curaçao on top to complete the layered effect

8. Bob Marley

This layered, rum-based cocktail has lovely, bright tropical flavors that are cheery enough to have you bobbing your head to that Bob Marley vibe in no time at all.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Grenadine
• 0.5 oz Coconut rum
• 4 oz Pineapple juice
• 1 oz Pineapple rum
• 1 oz Blue curaçao
• Ice

Method

1. Fill a serving glass with ice
2. Pour the grenadine into the bottom of the glass
3. Shake the pineapple juice and coconut rum with ice, then gently pour over the grenadine to form the second layer
4. Shake the pineapple rum and blue curaçao with ice, then carefully strain on top to create the final layer

There you have it! 8 popular layered cocktails that are as fun to pour as they are to serve. Now go forth and make some cocktail magic!