For the original Lion King fans out there – you know, the ones who are now old enough to drink – today I’m sharing a fun Hakuna Matata rum cocktail. A fun Disney cocktail recipe for your next movie night.

African Sunset Cocktail Recipe

Have you seen the new live action remake of the Lion King?

My brother was born the year that the original version came out and I think we must have watched it over 100 times when he was little, so it only seemed appropriate to host a family movie night when the new movie hit Disney+.

And now that he’s old enough to drink, some Lion King-inspired cocktails were a must.

My brother helped me come up with this delicious Lion King-inspired cocktail, which I’ve titled the “Hakuna Matata,” because you will have zero worries after a couple of these!

I will caution you – this drink is STRONG. It’s similar to a Bahama Mama but less sweet and a bit less fruity. The spiced rum provides a nice balance to the coconut and banana liquors and I think it looks absolutely gorgeous – like an African sunset!

It would be great for grown-ups to enjoy during a family movie night – and I most definitely will be serving these when the movie comes out and we all gather to see it!

Other recipes that would be great for a Lion King movie night:

• Lion King Rice Krispie Treats from Get Away Today
• African Peanut Soup from Kylee Cooks
• Lion King Snack Mix from The Tiptoe Fairy
• Chocolate-covered Lion OREOs from The Tiptoe Fairy

What kind of rum is best for a hakuna matata cocktail? Spiced rum or dark rum are ideal. Chic Choc was a new ingredient for me and it did not disappoint! It’s a unique spiced rum, made in Canada, produced with six indigenous spices harvested from the boreal forest of the Chic Choc mountains, and features a spicy bouquet with nuances of sugar cane and cinnamon, complemented by a subtle peppery tone. Highly recommended!

The combination of coconut rum and a dark rum gives this cocktail depth and warmth – I definitely recommend using both. (If you’re craving a straight coconut rum cocktail, this Coconut Rum Punch is delicious.)

What can I use to replace the banana liqueur? While I was hesitant about this ingredient at first, I really liked it in the cocktail. That said, you can replace this with a pineapple liqueur or pineapple rum.

How do I make a pitcher of this Disney cocktail? I’ve provided a printable recipe card below, but you can combine 1 cup spiced rum, 1 cup coconut rum, 1 cup banana liqueur and 2 1/2 cups pineapple juice to make a LARGE PITCHER. Add the grenadine to each individual glass to still achieve the ombre sunset effect.

Tip: I often order my liquor from Drizly because they have a quick delivery time (sometimes within 40 minutes) and no expensive mark-ups. Purchasing from them supports local retailers, too. You can order the Rum needed for this recipe from them.

Check out our quick recipe video for how to make this Hakuna Matata Rum cocktail (or my longer version on Youtube that features my pretty face), and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab our free printable recipe card:

Hakuna Matata Cocktail Ingredients

• Grenadine or maraschino cherry syrup
• Dark or spiced rum
• Coconut Rum
• Banana liqueur
• Pineapple juice
• Ice
• Maraschino cherries, optional garnish
• Orange slices, optional garnish

Makes 2.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: I was conservative with this cocktail, only having 2 1/4 oz of liquor per drink. If you’d like a stronger drink, increase the amounts given in the recipe card or use the amounts to make a single drink instead of two.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Liquid measure
• Cocktail glasses
• Ice maker

I really loved using my gorgeous Omishome Bartending Kit to make this recipe. The pretty bamboo holder contains all of the tools you need to make perfect cocktails, and those pretty gold tools add a touch of class to your home bar set-up.

How to Make a Hakuna Matata Cocktail

Add grenadine or maraschino cherry syrup to the bottom of each glass (1/2 oz each) and fill each glass with ice.

Pour in the liquors one at a time – spiced rum, banana liquor, and coconut rum (3/4 oz each).

Top with pineapple juice, and garnish with an orange slice for the sun and a maraschino cherry as a nod to Simba’s anointment (the red mark made by Rafiki).

Enjoy immediately.

Pin this Disney Cocktail recipe:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our Lion King cocktail recipe:

This delicious rum cocktail recipe is a fun way to celebrate the release of the new Lion King movie and would be perfect for a family movie night or for enjoying with grown-up friends who are excited for the new release as well!

For more delicious Disney-inspired cocktail recipes, check out our Sugar Plum Whiskey Smash or our Princess and the Frog Milk Punch Cocktail.