Sunny Day Cocktail Recipe

Sunny Day Nutrition Facts

Calories:200

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:25g

Alcohol %:20%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: August 23, 2024

History

The Sunny Day cocktail is a refreshing, fruity concoction that was first mixed up in the beach bars of Miami. It quickly became a hit with sunbathers and beachgoers, who loved its refreshing, tropical taste and the way it seemed to capture the essence of a perfect sunny day. It's a great choice for anyone who loves fruity, refreshing cocktails with a bit of a kick.

  • First mixed in Miami
  • Popular with beachgoers
  • Captures the essence of a sunny day

How Sunny Day Tastes?

The Sunny Day cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and slightly spicy flavors. The sweetness of the pineapple juice is balanced by the tartness of the lime, while the spiciness of the ginger beer adds an exciting kick. The rum adds a subtle warmth that rounds out the flavors beautifully.

Interesting facts about Sunny Day

  • The Sunny Day cocktail is often served in a tall glass to showcase its beautiful, sunny color.
  • Despite its tropical flavors, the Sunny Day doesn't actually contain any tropical fruits - just their juices.
  • The Sunny Day is a popular choice for daytime drinking, thanks to its refreshing, light taste.

Ingredients

A few good options for Sunny Day are:

  • Brockmans
  • Silent Pool Gin
  • Hendrick's Gin

Learn everything on which Gin to choose

Rum

Using 2oz of rum provides the ideal kick without overwhelming the other flavors. Too much, and you'd be boarding the 'intoxi-ship' pretty fast – too little, and the cocktail might lack depth. If you skip it, you'll basically have a fancy pineapple soda.

Alex Green

Pineapple Juice

4oz hits the sweet spot, literally. It brings tropical sweetness and acidity, making the drink well balanced. Less juice could make the cocktail too weak, more could make it cloyingly sweet. You could swap for mango juice for a different tropical spin.

Mary Mitkina

Lime Juice

1oz of lime juice adds a zesty punch, and without it, the cocktail could be too sweet. If you add more, it might become too tart. Lemon juice could be an alternative but expect a slightly different citrus profile.

Emma Rose

Ginger Beer

2oz ginger beer brings a spicy effervescence. Too little, and you miss the zing; too much, and it might overpower the drink. A ginger ale swap would result in a milder taste.

Alex Green

Ice Cubes

Ice keeps it cool and refreshing; without it, you might as well be drinking lukewarm disappointment. The amount of ice should fill the glass to ensure the drink stays chilled throughout.

Mary Mitkina

Pineapple Wedge

The quintessential garnish for a tropic touch. It's not just for the 'gram – it also adds aroma and a hint of taste when you take a sip. Skipping it won’t ruin the drink, but why miss the chance to feel fancy?

Emma Rose

Recipe. How to make Sunny Day Drink

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour in the rum, pineapple juice, and lime juice.
  3. Top up with ginger beer.
  4. Stir well to mix.
  5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Pro Tips

  • Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
  • Make sure to stir the cocktail well to ensure all the flavors are well combined.
  • Serve immediately after making to enjoy it at its freshest.

Perfect Pairings

Foods

  • Grilled Shrimp: The sweetness of the pineapple and the zesty lime juice complement seafood very well, especially when it's grilled with some herbs.
  • Jerk Chicken: The spicy and smoky flavor of jerk seasoning pairs nicely with the sweetness of the rum and pineapple, and the ginger beer adds a refreshing note.
  • Tropical Fruit Salad: Echo the fruity notes of the cocktail with a mix of mango, papaya, and kiwi for a refreshing side.

Other Drinks

  • Coconut Water: For a non-alcoholic refreshment, coconut water would pair nicely as it complements the tropical vibe of this cocktail.
  • Iced Tea: A lightly brewed iced tea can serve as a palate cleanser between sips of the cocktail.

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What you could change in Sunny Day

  • If you don't have ginger beer, you can substitute it with ginger ale. However, this will make the cocktail less spicy.
  • You can use any type of rum for this cocktail, but a dark rum will give it a richer flavor.

Explore all drinks starting with S here

And of course - twists🍹

Frozen Sunny Day

  • Add all ingredients into a blender with a scoop of crushed ice.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with a sprig of mint.

The frozen version transforms the drink into a slushy paradise, perfect for beating the heat with a frosty twist to the original texture.

Spicy Sunny Day

  • Muddle a few slices of jalapeño in the bottom of the glass before adding ice.
  • Follow the original recipe.
  • Garnish with a jalapeño slice on the rim.

This twist adds a spicy kick that complements the ginger beer and will warm you up even on the sunniest of days.

Sunset Day

  • Replace ginger beer with blood orange soda.
  • Add a splash of grenadine.
  • Follow the original recipe, and garnish with an orange slice.

The Sunset Day will have a sweeter citrus edge and stunning color reminiscent of a perfect sunset, taking your taste buds on a tropical twilight journey.

In case you forgot basics how to make Sunny Day

Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.

Learn everything on how to stir

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Sunny Day

What's the difference between a Dark Rum and a Light Rum in a cocktail?

Dark rums bring bold, rich and caramel or molasses flavors to cocktails, while light rums are more neutral and bring a smoother, lighter alcoholic content which works great if the other ingredients' flavors are wanted to shine through.

What time of the day is best to enjoy the Sunny Day cocktail?

The Sunny Day cocktail can be enjoyed at any time. However, it's a particularly good choice for late morning or early afternoon sipping by the pool or beach, as implied by its name.

Can I use canned pineapple juice for this cocktail?

While fresh pineapple juice is best for any cocktail, you can use canned pineapple juice. Please be aware, canned juice might be sweeter, so adjust the rest of ingredients as needed.

What's the difference between a Ginger Beer and a Ginger Ale for cocktails?

Ginger Beer has a stronger, spicier flavor. This makes it great for adding a kick to cocktails. Ginger Ale is a lighter, sweeter beverage which brings fewer ginger notes.

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