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Malibu Bay Breeze

The Malibu Bay Breeze is a refreshing tropical cocktail that transports you straight to the beach with its perfect balance of fruity flavors. Made with Malibu rum, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice, this drink is a sweet, tangy, and lightly coconut-infused cocktail that's incredibly easy to make. Whether you're hosting a summer gathering or just need a vacation in a glass, the Malibu Bay Breeze is an ideal choice for a laid-back, tropical vibe.

One of the best things about this drink is its simplicity-it uses only three ingredients, making it a go-to for quick and easy entertaining.

This recipe is a favorite of mine because of the beautiful hues and layered effect.

Ingredients for Malibu Bay Breeze

Here's what you'll need to make this tropical delight:

2 oz Malibu Rum: This coconut-flavored rum is the star of the show, giving the drink its signature tropical flavor.
4 oz Cranberry Juice: Adds a touch of tartness to balance the sweetness of the pineapple and rum.
2 oz Pineapple Juice: Provides a burst of tropical sweetness, blending perfectly with the coconut flavor of Malibu rum.
Ice: For serving and chilling the drink.
Citrus wedge (optional): For garnish and an extra zing.

These ingredients are easy to find and come together in a snap, making this cocktail both convenient and delicious.

A Malibu Bay Breeze removes the vodka and uses coconut rum.

FAQs About Malibu Bay Breeze

The following are commonly asked questions about this drink:

Can I use a different rum for Malibu Bay Breeze?

While Malibu rum is the classic choice for this cocktail, you can use any coconut-flavored rum or experiment with light rum if you prefer a less sweet version. However, the coconut flavor of Malibu is what really gives this drink its tropical appeal.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this drink?

Yes! Simply replace the Malibu rum with coconut water for a delicious, alcohol-free version. You'll still get the tropical coconut flavor without the alcohol.

How strong is a Malibu Bay Breeze?

Malibu rum has a lower alcohol content than most liquors, making this drink lighter and more refreshing without being too boozy.

Can I make a big batch for a party?

Absolutely! Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need and mix in a large pitcher. Just make sure to add ice when serving to keep the drink chilled.

Watch Me Make This (30 Seconds)

Directions

Here is how to make a delicious Malibu Bay Breeze.

Step 1: Fill a glass with ice: Choose your favorite highball or hurricane glass and add a good amount of ice to keep your drink cool and refreshing.

Collage of three ingredients going into the glass: malibu rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry cocktail

Step 2: Pour in the Malibu rum: Add 2 oz of Malibu rum to the glass. Add the cranberry juice: Pour in 4 oz of cranberry juice, letting it mix with the rum. Top with pineapple juice: Finish with 2 oz of pineapple juice for that perfect tropical balance.

A finished Malibu Bay Breeze with a can of Trader Joe's Pineapple Juice and a bottle of Malibu Rum in the background. Drink is garnished with an orange slice.

Step 3: Garnish and serve: Optionally, garnish with a citrus wedge or a pineapple slice for a little extra flair.

I hope you enjoy this Malibu Bay Breeze cocktail!

Food Pairings for Malibu Bay Breeze

The Malibu Bay Breeze pairs beautifully with a variety of light and summery dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

Fresh Shrimp Cocktail: The tangy cranberry and pineapple flavors complement the sweetness of shrimp.
Grilled Pineapple Skewers: Double up on tropical flavors with this sweet and slightly smoky treat.
Coconut Shrimp: Enhance the coconut flavor in the drink by pairing it with crispy coconut shrimp.
Tropical Salsa and Chips: Serve a mango or pineapple salsa alongside tortilla chips for a perfect summer snack to enjoy with your drink.

Other Cocktails You Might Enjoy

Cadillac Margarita

Blood Orange Margarita

If you try this, would you mind hitting the "Rate" button? I'd love to know what you thought of it. If you modified the original recipe here, please let me know how it turned out. I love comments!

If you've tried this Malibu Bay Breeze or any other recipe on the blog, I'd love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Print Recipe

4.79 from 14 votes

Malibu Bay Breeze

This visually stunning drink is super easy to make with coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cranberry cocktail and will give you beautiful layers of color.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bay breeze, malibu bay breeze

Servings:

Calories: 176kcal

Author: Brenda

Ingredients

2 ounces Coconut Rum
2 ounces Pineapple Juice
1 ounce Cranberry Cocktail Must be Cranberry Cocktail and not 100% Cranberry Juice

Optional- Garnish

Orange slice, maraschino cherry, or lime wedge

Instructions

This is a poured drink. No mixing required. Fill a glass with ice
Pour Rum, Pineapple Juice, and Cranberry Cocktail over ice
Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Use good quality ice
If you are using canned pineapple juice, be sure to shake well before adding to this drink. It does tend to separate.
Use the Coconut Rum that you enjoy. I happen to have Malibu at home, but if you have a different brand you prefer then use that
Use cranberry cocktail, not 100% cranberry juice.
Garnish is optional, but makes it pretty
If you are looking to make a layered drink, pour slowly. That density lesson you had in school is going to come into play. The ingredients with the most sugar will settle at the bottom.
If your juices aren't already chilled, then take out a shaker and combine the pineapple juice and rum with some ice to chill.

Nutrition

Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust

If the Skittles slogan is "Taste the Rainbow," then someone was thinking "Taste the green pizza." Well, I tasted it. It tastes about as attractive as it looks. A pizza made with spirulina would have made for a prettier pie.

Taste and review

This pie, to me, should be sold as "taste the sadness." Now, this comes after two other pizza crusts that seem more successful: cauliflower pizza and the seasonal butternut squash pizza crust.

So all of those pizza crusts have roughly the same format: they do taste quite a bit of cornflour and end up having a polenta-like taste.

So what makes this one different and me so negative sounding?

Listen, I love kale chips. But they have to be crisp. I like broccoli too, but that is a pretty watery veggie.

So when you take this out of the box, it looks like a giant disk of the broccoli cauliflower patties that have been repurposed here as a pizza crust.

This pizza takes a long time. From start to finish, it was over 30 minutes. I went as long as possible on this because I knew from previous experience if there is much hydration, you'll get a floppy veggie polenta-style pizza in each bite.

So 12 minutes for EACH side, plus 5 minutes in the broiler to crisp it up further, plus another 5 for toppings.

And while it did get crisp enough to hold up its own toppings, it was too crisp to make the "crust" edible. So much hydration had been removed, that portion of the pizza was inedible.

Overall

As for the taste, it was just ok. It was primarily broccoli and cornflour. The kale seemed lost in terms of flavor and did not come through much. Plus as an added insult, this pie seemed to shrink down a bit.

And this isn't cheap either at $4.29. I'd personally rather have broccoli on my cauliflower pizza than in it.

It wasn't inedible. But wasn't my favorite thing either. Fortunately, the toppings did overwhelm the taste of broccoli in this product.

If you are curious about Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust, then by all means try it. But if this pie sounds like a box of "taste the sadness" then this one is ok to skip in my book.

Now, maybe I'm not the target audience for this. It's labeled as gluten-free and while it isn't labeled as such a quick glance through the ingredients makes this appear to be vegan.

However, another glance at the nutritional values, and you might notice the same thing I did: it doesn't seem all that great for you either. Bummer. I guess I'll have to enjoy kale or broccoli the old-fashioned way.

Would I repurchase this item? No, I won't be buying Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust again.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust:

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust on a marble surface

Calories and ingredients

Nutritional information, calories and ingredient list for Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust

Directions

Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust instructions on how to cook this properly

Out of the package you get:

An opened box of Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust showing the green crust

After being cooked you get:

A fully cooked Trader Joe's Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust with cheese and sauce on a plate next to the original box

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice

It wasn't all that long ago when Trader Joe's introduced the Cold Pressed Fuji Spiced Apple Cider. What I thought was a seasonal item, is still on shelves. Now, that means one of two things: either people hate it and it's sitting there still (Yes, I'm looking at you Carrot Cake Spread taking up all that shelf space at my local stores) or it might mean they still are stocking it. Given the fact that it's in the refrigerated aisle, it's highly unlikely that it is just sitting there. So, now alongside it is Trader Joe's Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice.

Taste and review

My complaint is pretty similar to the Cold Pressed Cider, it's a bit pricey for what you are getting. You see this one 12-ounce bottle is $2.99. While the apple cider is the same price, I'd reach for the cider every time.

Why? Because it was that simple addition of spice that made it unique and different from buying anything else.

Don't get me wrong. This is really good pineapple juice. It will separate and needs a good shake when you are ready to consume. But shy of juicing a pineapple yourself, this is as close to a tasting pure pineapple as possible.

However, if you are more price-conscious and are possibly looking to keep something a bit more shelf-stable, Trader Joe's sells cans of pineapple juice that are probably the best I've tasted.

They too need a good shake, but believe me, for the price, I'll be reaching for those little yellow cans.

If you enjoy the pure pineapple juice taste, then look no further. But if you are like me and you save your drinking calories for your drinks, then I'd still reach for the cans of pineapple deliciousness.

And in case you are wondering, those cans do make a wonderful Malibu Bay Breeze or Matador. But, believe me, I'm wishing for summer. And pineapple juice can take me there.

And if you are wondering, no, I wouldn't waste pineapple juice this expensive on a cocktail.

Would I buy this again? For me, Trader Joe's Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice, isn't special enough to warrant the extra money.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product photos

The bottle of Trader Joe's Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice:

An unopened bottle of Trader Joe's Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice with a blue background.

Calories and ingredients

Calories, nutritional information and ingredient in Trader Joe's Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant Loaf

I love croissants. They're more than just bread. They are bread that loves you. And I like it. I've tried anything croissant related at Trader Joe's. I've bought more boxes of Chocolate Croissants than I care to discuss. I love the Almond Croissants just as much. I keep a box of the Ham & Cheese Croissants around in case I want a quick and light lunch.

Taste

So if the phrase "best thing since sliced bread" works here, then I'd like to add the word "croissant" next to the word bread. They belong together.

A croissant is a bread that is very buttery. This loaf is no exception. And it doesn't seek to hide any of its layers.

Making croissants is not for the faint of heart. I've done it. Once.

Right before I got married too. #Yolo (eating croissants before getting into a fitted dress).

Sometimes, you take a cooking class and can't wait to make it at home. Sometimes, it leaves you with the wisdom to know better than to make it at home.

This here is a case of the latter. Croissants are beautiful, and in my humble opinion, best left to the professionals.

I'm willing to proof a box of the croissants at Trader Joe's, but that is about it.

Now, they've done me the favor and put it in sliced bread form.

Toasted and buttered it has been a morning treat. It also comes in at about half the calories of one of those frozen croissants. So, I guess I'm winning on this one.

Plus, it would probably make for some really good French Toast, but I haven't had a chance to tinker with this. It does freeze well if you are concerned about consuming this loaf.

Needless to say, this is very likable. However, the cinnamon here is very subtle. It doesn't assert itself one bit. So if you have a vision of this tasting like a croissant meets a cinnamon roll, you'll be disappointed.

Overall

For $5.99 it's pricey for the bread aisle. But at 10 servings, it's on a par with the price of the croissants.

While cinnamon was good, I can imagine the day when they can marry the magic of croissants with the magic of the Chocolate Brooklyn Babka. That would be the match made in heaven.

Would I buy this again? Probably.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product photos

The bag containing Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant Loaf:

An unopened package of Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant Loaf

Calories

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant Loaf nutritional facts and calorie information

Ingredients

Ingredient list for Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant Loaf

Out of the package, toasted, and buttered you get:

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant Loaf toasted, buttered and on a plate

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

I'm pretty sure every candy sale that I've ever done or witness that involved a case of chocolate, ended with the packs of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups being sold out first. And there is good reason for it: it's just delicious. On the shelves of Trader Joe's we've seen the addition of two new "cups" style candies: sunflower seed butter, and this almond butter.

Taste

The closest comparison I can draw is to Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Those make you forget about the pairing of milk chocolate with peanut butter. There is something magical about those (especially the $0.99 cent package that seems to be located near the registers).

Well, this is pretty darn similar. Minus the peanut butter business.

This dark chocolate had a wonderful snap to it. When you bite into it, it cracks and breaks in the best possible dark chocolate way.

The middle is almond butter. It's smooth but not at all sweet.

It will satisfy the craving for something sweet without making you aware that you might have cavities. Three pieces is a serving size which I think is pretty fair. I was able to stop after just two. They were satisfying in a way that the peanut butter ones aren't.

There is no wasteful paper cup in these either, so you'll have one less piece of trash to contend with.

On the downside, this isn't vegan. Milk is present here. And the allergy list does spell out the possible presence of eggs. In fact, this allergy list is pretty much one of the longest I've seen.

Overall

For $3.99 it's not a bad deal. Each one is individually wrapped allowing you to portion them out as you see fit.

Would I buy this again? A solid maybe for buying Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups again. It's not calories I need, but they did taste good.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Visual rundown

The package of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups:

An unopened package of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

Calories and ingredients

Nutritional information and ingredient list in Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups

Out of the package you get:

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups package open with one candy open and with a bite mark showing the inside

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.