If you’ve been searching for a frozen dessert that doubles as a cocktail and feels like a tropical vacation in a glass, welcome—you’ve found it. I can’t thank you enough for being here and trusting me with your summer treat plans. Today, we’re diving headfirst into a whimsical and colorful creation that will make your summer gatherings unforgettable: the Sun-Kissed Frost Lush, a frozen cocktail dessert that blends tropical flavors, vibrant colors, and a whole lot of personality.

This recipe is anything but ordinary. Right after the first spoonful—or sip—you’ll see why I call it my “beach-party-in-a-glass” dessert. Featuring coconut cream, pineapple juice, mango liqueur, blue curaçao, and a rainbow of food coloring, this lush treat is layered, icy, and delightfully boozy. And yes, you can make it with or without alcohol, depending on your vibe.

What is Sun-Kissed Frost Lush?

The Sun-Kissed Frost Lush is a frozen cocktail dessert that combines the best parts of a piña colada, a sorbet, and a colorful frozen drink. It’s crafted in layers of color-infused tropical blends, giving it a rainbow or marbled effect when served in clear glasses. This dessert is both a treat and a statement, ready to impress at pool parties, backyard barbecues, or just a night when you want to feel like you’re on vacation.

The lush is built in stages—each color layer is blended with a unique liqueur or vodka, mixed with coconut cream and pineapple juice, and then frozen or served immediately. The end result is a texturally rich and visually stunning dessert that tastes like sunshine and sea breezes.

Why You’ll Love This Frozen Cocktail Dessert

There are so many reasons this recipe deserves a permanent place in your summer rotation. Let’s break it down:

Visually unforgettable: The layered or swirled colors create an Instagram-worthy presentation every single time.
Versatile and customizable: You can swap out the liqueurs or add fruit purées depending on your preferences or what you have on hand.
Boozy and refreshing: Each serving includes just enough alcohol to keep things festive without being overpowering.
No-bake, minimal mess: Perfect for hot summer days when you want dessert without turning on the oven.
Party-ready: Great for birthdays, beach days, or just about any gathering that calls for a little whimsy.

What Does It Taste Like?

The Sun-Kissed Frost Lush tastes like a tropical dream. Each spoonful (or sip) offers a blend of coconut richness, bright pineapple tang, and fruity liqueur notes. The mango liqueur brings in a smooth, sweet depth; the blue curaçao adds a citrus twist; and the vanilla vodka smooths it all out with warmth and body. All of that is layered over the cooling base of crushed ice or sorbet for a slushy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

It’s equal parts creamy, icy, and tangy—like a piña colada turned rainbow sorbet cocktail.

Benefits of Making This Recipe

Aside from how easy and fun it is to make, here are some unique benefits that make this recipe a keeper:

No need for special equipment beyond a blender and a few small bowls.
Adjustable alcohol content—you can easily make it non-alcoholic by subbing juice for the spirits.
Eye-catching presentation that doubles as party decor.
Great make-ahead potential when frozen in layers.
Naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free or vegan.

Sun-Kissed Frost Lush frozen cocktail dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s your shopping list to make four to six servings of this tropical delight:

1 oz mango liqueur
1 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz blue curaçao
2 oz coconut cream (chilled; sweetened if you prefer)
2 oz pineapple juice
1 cup crushed ice (or use a fruit-flavored sorbet base for extra flavor)
Food coloring (optional, but ideal for layering—use pink, blue, and yellow for best effect)
Whipped cream (for topping)
Edible glitter, flower petals, or fruit-flavored candies for garnish

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Blender
Three small bowls (for mixing colored coconut cream layers)
Measuring jigger or shot glass
Spoons or piping bags (for clean layering or swirling)
Clear dessert or cocktail glasses
Freezer-safe container if making ahead

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

This dessert is incredibly forgiving, and you can switch things up without compromising on taste:

If you don’t have mango liqueur, try peach schnapps or passionfruit liqueur.
Substitute vanilla vodka with regular vodka and a splash of vanilla extract.
Use fruit purées like strawberry, passionfruit, or guava to deepen the fruity flavor.
For a non-alcoholic version, replace spirits with tropical fruit juices and use rainbow sorbet for the base.
Add frozen fruit chunks to the blender for extra body and flavor.
To make it dairy-free, use a coconut whipped topping or skip the whipped cream altogether.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Colored Bases

In three small bowls, divide your chilled coconut cream and pineapple juice mixture equally. Add a few drops of food coloring to each. Pink, yellow, and blue are great options for creating a vibrant look. Stir gently to combine.

Step 2: Blend Each Layer

In a blender, add about a third of your crushed ice along with one portion of your colored mix and one of the spirits:

For the pink layer: use mango liqueur
For the yellow layer: use vanilla vodka
For the blue layer: use blue curaçao

Blend each mixture until smooth and slushy, pouring each into a separate bowl when done.

Step 3: Layer in Serving Glasses

Using a spoon or piping bag, layer the slush mixtures into your glasses. You can go for defined layers or gently swirl them together for a marbled effect. Work quickly so the layers don’t melt into each other.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Top with a swirl of whipped cream and your choice of garnish: edible glitter, tropical candies, flower petals, or even a tiny cocktail umbrella. Serve immediately, or freeze briefly for a firmer texture.

What to Serve Alongside Sun-Kissed Frost Lush

This dessert pairs beautifully with other tropical and beach-inspired dishes. Consider these:

Grilled pineapple skewers brushed with honey and lime juice
Coconut shrimp with mango dipping sauce
A tropical cheese board with mango, pineapple, coconut flakes, and spiced nuts
Frozen fruit kabobs
Light appetizers like ceviche or summer rolls

And for more boozy frozen fun, check out these recipes:
Moana Cocktails Recipe – A dreamy tropical cocktail inspired by island flavors.
Galaxy Grape Mirage Frozen Boozy Beverage – A cosmic spin on the frozen cocktail with bold grape and citrus notes.
Peach Thunder Rush Cocktail Recipe – Perfect for fans of fruity, peach-forward cocktails with a strong kick.

Tips for Making the Perfect Sun-Kissed Frost Lush

Chill all ingredients and glasses ahead of time to help maintain the frozen texture.
Use crushed ice, not whole cubes, for a smoother blend.
If you’re making a large batch, keep blended layers in the freezer between steps.
Want even creamier texture? Replace the ice with a scoop of mango or pineapple sorbet.
For extra flair, rim your glass with colored sugar or shredded coconut.

How to Store and Make Ahead

If you’re prepping ahead for a party, you can make this work:

Blend each colored layer separately and pour into a freezer-safe container.
Freeze until firm, then let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften before layering and serving.
Once assembled, it’s best consumed right away, but leftovers can be re-blended or scooped like sorbet.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2–3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe non-alcoholic?

Yes! Replace the alcohol with fruit juices or flavored syrups. Mango juice for the mango liqueur, lemon-lime soda or orange juice for the blue curaçao, and vanilla-flavored almond milk for the vanilla vodka work great.

Can I use ice cream instead of sorbet or crushed ice?

You can, but it will make the drink heavier and less refreshing. Sorbet or crushed ice gives it that frosty, airy texture that makes it feel light.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your liqueur and vodka brands to be sure they’re safe if you have gluten sensitivity.

What if I don’t want to use food coloring?

Totally optional! The liqueurs themselves will give you some color, especially the blue curaçao. You can also use fruit purées like beet juice or blueberry reduction as natural coloring agents.

Can I use fresh coconut instead of coconut cream?

Fresh coconut won’t give you the same creamy texture, but you could blend fresh coconut meat with a bit of water to create your own cream. Just keep in mind that sweetened coconut cream brings a specific richness and sweetness that’s hard to beat.

Final Thoughts

Sun-Kissed Frost Lush isn’t just a frozen dessert—it’s an experience. It’s the kind of treat that makes people stop mid-sentence and say, “Wait, what is that?” Whether you’re hosting a luau, enjoying a quiet weekend on the patio, or looking for something unique for girls’ night, this recipe brings both flavor and flair.

It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and it looks like you’ve spent way more time on it than you actually did. With its playful colors and tropical taste, it delivers both nostalgia and novelty in every spoonful.

If you love recipes like this, you’ll absolutely want to check out the Moana Cocktails Recipe and the Peach Thunder Rush Cocktail Recipe—both are stunning additions to any summer drinks menu. And for something totally out of this world, the Galaxy Grape Mirage Frozen Boozy Beverage is a must-try.

Let’s Make It a Party—Your Turn!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review, tag your photos on Pinterest, or drop your version in the comments. Did you go wild with the colors? Make it a mocktail? Add extra tropical twists? Let me know—I’m always inspired by your creativity.

Nutritional Information (Estimated per Serving)

Calories: 185
Carbohydrates: 22g
Sugars: 18g
Fat: 6g
Protein: 1g
Alcohol: Approximately 1.5 oz per serving (enjoy responsibly)

Sun-Kissed Frost Lush: The Ultimate Frozen Cocktail Dessert for Summer

Author: Sam

Print Recipe

Description

Sun-Kissed Frost Lush frozen cocktail dessert is a bright, tropical treat that blends coconut cream, pineapple juice, and colorful liqueurs into a magical layered slush. It’s fun, party-ready, and as gorgeous to look at as it is refreshing to eat. Whether you’re serving it poolside or at a summer celebration, this recipe delivers sunshine in every spoonful. Use food coloring and edible glitter for that dreamy, beachy finish that wows guests every time!

Ingredients

Scale

1 oz mango liqueur
1 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz blue curaçao
2 oz coconut cream (chilled, sweetened preferred)
2 oz pineapple juice
1 cup crushed ice (or rainbow sorbet base)
Food coloring (optional – pink, blue, yellow recommended)
Whipped cream (for topping)

Edible glitter or tropical candy (for garnish)

Instructions

Divide and Color the Base:
In three small bowls, mix equal parts of the coconut cream and pineapple juice. Add a few drops of food coloring to each—one pink, one blue, one yellow—and stir gently.
Blend Each Layer Separately:
In a blender, add ⅓ of the crushed ice, one colored base, and one spirit (mango liqueur for pink, vanilla vodka for yellow, blue curaçao for blue). Blend until slushy. Repeat for each layer and set aside.
Layer the Slush:
Using a spoon or piping bag, layer the slushy mixtures into a clear glass. Create stripes or gently swirl for a marbled look.
Top and Garnish:
Add a swirl of whipped cream on top and finish with edible glitter, tropical candies, or flower petals. Serve immediately or freeze briefly to firm it up.

Notes

For a mocktail version, swap the alcohol with fruit juices like mango nectar, pineapple juice, or lemon-lime soda.
Crushed ice gives the best texture—avoid whole cubes unless pre-crushed.
Want creamier layers? Blend in fruit sorbet instead of ice.
Chill your glasses and ingredients beforehand to keep everything perfectly frosty.

Leftovers can be frozen and re-blended like sorbet—great for prepping ahead!