Thank you so much for stopping by. It truly means the world to me that you’re here, especially because today I’m sharing one of the most vibrant, fun, and unforgettable summer cocktails you’ll ever come across—the Beach Bucket Cocktail. This is not just a drink; it’s a whole party in a bucket. Made for warm weather, sandy toes, poolside lounging, and belly laughs with friends, this cocktail is colorful, refreshing, and wildly shareable.

Right after the first sip, you’ll understand why this has become a summer staple in our home. Bursting with tropical flavors, layered with chilled fruit and topped with a floating hard seltzer can, this cocktail is everything you didn’t know your weekend needed.

What Is a Beach Bucket Cocktail?

The Beach Bucket Cocktail is exactly what it sounds like: a large, shareable tropical drink served in a plastic beach bucket, complete with ice, frozen fruit, tropical spirits, juice, and a fizzy topper—usually a can of hard seltzer like White Claw or Truly. It’s casual, it’s colorful, and it’s unapologetically festive.

Originating as a beach bar novelty and TikTok trend, the beach bucket trend has gone mainstream for a reason. It combines everything you want in a summer drink: flavor, volume, and presentation. Serve it to guests and watch the smiles light up immediately. Whether you’re throwing a pool party or just hanging out on your patio, this is the drink that gets the good times rolling.

Reasons to Love This Recipe

Perfect for sharing: One bucket serves two to four people, making it an ideal social sipper.
Tropical flavor bomb: A smooth blend of coconut rum, peach schnapps, pineapple, and citrus.
Customizable: You can tweak the base mix, fruit, and topper to fit your preferences.
Visually fun: A bright bucket filled with colorful fruit, long straws, and a floating can? It’s a party prop as much as it is a drink.
Easy to make: No bartending experience necessary. It’s essentially a pour-and-party kind of recipe.

What Does a Beach Bucket Cocktail Taste Like?

This cocktail is pure vacation in a cup—or in this case, a bucket. Imagine the tang of pineapple juice blended with the tropical creaminess of coconut rum and the peachy punch of schnapps. The orange juice rounds it out with mellow citrus notes, while a lemon-lime soda splash adds fizz and brightness. The hard seltzer floating on top brings a dry, bubbly finish to balance all that sweetness. Frozen fruit soaks up the liquid, releasing bursts of extra flavor as you sip. The result is something smooth, juicy, lightly sparkling, and incredibly refreshing.

Benefits of Making a Beach Bucket Cocktail

Feeds a crowd with ease: One batch serves multiple people, making it ideal for backyard barbecues, beach hangouts, or pool parties.
No fancy tools required: No shaking, muddling, or straining involved.
Beautiful and Instagram-ready: The colorful mix, fruit accents, and novelty presentation are totally photo-worthy.
Flexible in flavor: You can play with the spirit base, adjust sweetness, and swap out mixers.
Serves both kids and adults: Make an alcohol-free version for the younger crowd by using juice and sparkling water instead of alcohol.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Beach Bucket Cocktail (serves 2–4 people):

6 ounces of coconut rum (Malibu is the classic go-to)
4 ounces of peach schnapps
12 ounces of pineapple juice
1 cup of orange juice
½ cup of lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7UP) – optional for added fizz
1 cup of frozen fruit mix (mango, pineapple, strawberries work best)
Plenty of ice
1 can (12 ounces) of hard seltzer (White Claw, Truly, or any fruity flavor)
Fresh fruit slices for garnish (orange, lime, or pineapple work great)
Optional: Cocktail umbrellas, long reusable straws, mini drink skewers

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need much to make this fun party cocktail, but here are a few essentials:

A clean plastic beach bucket or party bucket (32 oz or larger)
Measuring jigger or shot glass
Mixing bowl or cocktail shaker (optional for combining liquids)
Long spoon or bar spoon
Straws or reusable drinkware straws
Small knife and cutting board for garnishes

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

This cocktail is incredibly forgiving and endlessly adaptable. Here are some fun tweaks you can try:

Substitutions:

Instead of coconut rum: Use spiced rum and a splash of coconut extract.
No peach schnapps? Try triple sec, apricot liqueur, or passionfruit liqueur.
No pineapple juice? Mango nectar or passionfruit juice also works beautifully.
Need a non-alcoholic version? Replace alcohol with coconut water, tropical juice blends, and flavored sparkling water.

Additions:

A drizzle of grenadine adds color and sweetness—great for that “sunset” look.
Toss in a handful of gummy candies for a whimsical twist.
Add maraschino cherries or lychee for surprise bursts of flavor.
Rim the bucket with coarse sugar or Tajín for a fun finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Beach Bucket Cocktail

Step 1: Prepare Your Bucket

Start with a clean 32 oz or larger beach bucket. These are easy to find online or at party stores, and you can even get themed ones for pool parties or beach events.

Add a generous layer of ice to the bottom of the bucket. Then toss in a handful (about 1 cup) of frozen fruit. This not only keeps your drink cold, but as the fruit thaws, it flavors your drink even more.

Step 2: Mix the Base

In a separate mixing bowl or shaker, combine:

6 ounces coconut rum
4 ounces peach schnapps
12 ounces pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice

Stir gently to combine, then pour the entire mixture over the ice and fruit in your bucket.

Step 3: Add the Fizz

Top with ½ cup of lemon-lime soda for a little sparkle. This part is optional, but it adds a refreshing, carbonated lift that balances the sweetness of the fruit juices.

Now comes the showstopper—take your can of hard seltzer and gently nestle it into the cocktail. You can open it halfway and let it slowly mix into the drink, or leave it closed and let guests decide when to pop it.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Decorate the top of your bucket with fresh fruit slices, cocktail umbrellas, and any other festive touches. Add two long straws for sharing—or one, if you’re keeping it all to yourself (no judgment here).

What to Serve with This Cocktail

This beachy drink pairs perfectly with a range of light and fresh dishes:

Grilled shrimp skewers with garlic-lime marinade
Tropical salsa with tortilla chips (try mango, pineapple, or papaya blends)
BBQ pulled pork sliders or jerk chicken
Fresh fruit skewers or watermelon wedges
Coconut rice or Caribbean-style coleslaw

It’s also great with any snack-y finger food, especially if you’re hanging poolside or by the beach.

Pro Tips for Success

Chill your ingredients ahead of time: The colder the components, the longer your drink will stay ice-cold without becoming diluted.
Use frozen fruit instead of extra ice: This keeps the drink flavorful without watering it down.
Don’t overcrowd the bucket: Leave room for mixing and sipping.
Make a base mix in advance: If you’re hosting, pre-mix the juice and alcohol and store it in the fridge. Then pour over fresh ice per bucket when ready to serve.

How to Store Leftovers

This drink is meant to be consumed fresh, but if you do have leftovers:

Remove most of the ice to prevent dilution
Store the liquid in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
Re-serve over fresh ice and top with soda or seltzer if desired

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this for a big group?

Definitely! Multiply the recipe by 4 or more, mix in a large punch bowl, and let guests ladle their own drinks into individual party buckets. It’s a great idea for themed parties and casual get-togethers.

What flavors of hard seltzer work best?

Fruity flavors like mango, pineapple, passionfruit, or even watermelon pair beautifully with the tropical notes in the cocktail. Avoid overly sweet or creamy flavors like vanilla.

Is there a non-alcoholic version?

Absolutely. Use a mix of pineapple, orange, and mango juices, plus sparkling water or lemon-lime soda. For fun, float a mini can of LaCroix or Spindrift in the middle to mimic the hard seltzer effect.

What other fun cocktails can I try in a bucket?

You might also enjoy the wildly popular Malibu Mermaid Bucket Cocktail, a colorful and refreshing variation that uses blue curaçao for a vibrant ocean hue.

Looking for something lighter or family-friendly? Try the Mermaid Lemonade Mocktail, a non-alcoholic drink that still brings all the fun of a beachside refreshment.

And if you’re a fan of coconut rum cocktails, you’ll love the Malibu Bay Breeze Bucket Cocktail, which blends cranberry and pineapple for a tangy, tropical twist.

Conclusion

The Beach Bucket Cocktail is the kind of drink that instantly makes any gathering more festive. It’s delicious, customizable, and practically guaranteed to spark conversation. Whether you’re lounging poolside, kicking back on a beach chair, or recreating summer vibes in your backyard, this cocktail delivers all the joy of a tropical vacation—no passport required.

With its colorful presentation, fruity flavor profile, and easy assembly, this drink is a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again. It’s playful, refreshing, and absolutely perfect for summer. Go ahead—grab a bucket, fill it up, and let the party begin.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or rating below, and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest. Show off those fruity garnishes, wild floating cans, and your best sunny-day setups!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approximate for 4 servings)

Calories: 220
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugars: 18g
Alcohol: ~10–12% ABV
Vitamin C: 25% Daily Value

Beach Bucket Cocktail: The Ultimate Fruity, Boozy Party Punch

Author: Sam

Print Recipe

Description

This Beach Bucket Cocktail is a fruity, boozy, and totally shareable tropical punch served in a beach bucket! Bursting with coconut rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and fizzy lemon-lime soda, it’s finished with frozen fruit and a floating can of hard seltzer for a party-ready drink that’s as fun to look at as it is to sip. Perfect for summer gatherings, poolside hangs, or backyard beach vibes—just grab a bucket and let the good times pour!

Ingredients

Scale

Serves 2–4

6 oz coconut rum (Malibu recommended)
4 oz peach schnapps
12 oz pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
½ cup lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7UP, optional)
1 cup frozen fruit mix (strawberries, mango, pineapple, etc.)
Ice, enough to fill the bucket halfway
1 (12 oz) can of hard seltzer (White Claw, Truly, or similar)
Fresh fruit slices (orange, lime, or pineapple) for garnish
Optional: cocktail umbrellas, long straws, mini skewers

Instructions

Prep the Bucket
Start with a clean 32 oz+ plastic beach bucket. Add a generous layer of ice and toss in the frozen fruit to act as flavorful ice cubes.
Mix the Base
In a separate shaker or bowl, combine the coconut rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Stir gently to combine.
Build the Cocktail
Pour the juice and spirit mixture into the bucket over the ice and fruit.
Add Some Fizz
Pour in the lemon-lime soda if using, then gently nestle the can of hard seltzer into the bucket—open it halfway for a dramatic effect or leave it sealed for guests to pop.

Garnish & Serve
Top with fresh fruit slices, a cocktail umbrella, and two long straws. Serve immediately and share with friends!

Notes

For an alcohol-free version, swap the rum and schnapps with coconut water and peach nectar, and use flavored sparkling water instead of hard seltzer.
Keep all your ingredients chilled before assembly to help the drink stay cold longer without excess melting.
Want to serve a crowd? Multiply the recipe and serve it punch-bowl style with mini buckets for individual servings.

This drink is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be strained and stored in the fridge (minus the ice) for up to 24 hours.