June Bug Cocktail
The June Bug Cocktail is fruity and tropical, blending pineapple juice, melon and banana liqueur, coconut rum and liqueur into a bright drink that tastes like summer in a glass. It's sweet without being overpowering, with just enough citrus to keep it refreshing.
This is the kind of cocktail made you will want on warm nights in the backyard or by the pool; or anytime you're craving a tropical drink without a lot of effort.
If you enjoy fruity rum-based drinks, this has a similar vibe to our Melon Ball. Another easy, go-to tropical beverage is our Pineapple Rum Cocktail.
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Ingredients
This cocktail comes together with a handful of easy-to-find ingredients.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Pineapple Juice: Adds tropical sweetness and helps balance the liqueurs.
- Melon Liqueur: Gives the drink its bright green color and signature melon flavor.
- Malibu Rum: Brings in coconut notes that make this feel like a true tropical drink.
- Banana Liqueur: Adds subtle sweetness and rounds out the fruit flavors.
- Sweet and Sour Mix: Provides a light citrus tang; fresh lemon or lime juice works too.
We love using a cocktail shaker set to make mixing drinks simpler.
Variations
- Fresh Citrus: Swap sweet and sour mix for fresh lime juice for a brighter finish.
- Stronger Rum Flavor: Use white rum instead of coconut rum for a less creamy profile.
- Frozen Version: Blend with ice for a slushy-style June Bug drink.
- Mocktail Option: Skip the alcohol and use pineapple juice, melon syrup, banana syrup, and citrus soda.
- Extra Tropical: Serve in a hurricane glass with a splash of soda for a lighter sip.
How to Make a June Bug Cocktail
A quick shake is all it takes to bring this cocktail together.
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
Pour in pineapple juice, melon liqueur, Malibu rum, banana liqueur and sweet and sour mix.
Shake well until chilled and strain into a tall glass with ice.
Hint: Taste before serving and add an extra splash of lime juice if it feels too sweet.
Recipe Tips
- Shaken/Stirred: Shake well to fully blend the fruit liqueurs and chill the drink evenly.
- Glass: A tall glass or hurricane glass works best for showing off the color.
- Garnishes: A simple lime round or pineapple wedge makes an easy, fresh garnish.
- Balance: Taste before serving and add a splash of citrus if it feels too sweet.
- Fresh Citrus: If skipping bottled sour mix, freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice adds a brighter, cleaner finish.
If you love bright, fruity cocktails, try our Pineapple Margarita.
More Cocktails
Serving Suggestions
- Warm Weather Cocktails: Watermelon Sangria, Hennessy and Strawberry Lemonade, Purple Rain Cocktail and Madras Cocktail.
June Bug Cocktail Recipe FAQs
It's sweet but balanced. You can reduce the banana liqueur or add extra citrus if you prefer it less sweet.
Yes, you can mix everything except the ice and store it in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
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June Bug Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Shot Glasses
Ingredients
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ½- ounce melon liqueur
- 1 ounce Malibu rum
- 1 tablespoon sweet and sour mix or freshly squeezed lemon and or lime
- ½ ounce banana liqueur
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Pour in pineapple juice, melon liqueur, Malibu rum, banana liqueur and sweet and sour mix.
- Shake well until chilled and strain into a tall glass with ice.
Notes
- Shaken/Stirred: Shake well to fully blend the fruit liqueurs and chill the drink evenly.
- Glass: A tall glass or hurricane glass works best for showing off the color.
- Garnishes: A simple lime round or pineapple wedge makes an easy, fresh garnish.
- Balance: Taste before serving and add a splash of citrus if it feels too sweet.
- Fresh Citrus: If skipping bottled sour mix, freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice adds a brighter, cleaner finish.
- Sweetness: Taste before serving and add an extra splash of lime juice if it feels too sweet.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you!
Such a fresh and tropical vibe. A great cocktail any time of year!