Tropic while its hot: Malibu launches new watermelon rum

Stop whatever you’re doing – Malibu’s new watermelon rum is here. And it’s ‘bursting with tropical flavours’.

This week gave us a tantalising glimpse of summer with the sun finally breaking out from behind the clouds, so we’re extra excited about Malibu Watermelon, the latest Caribbean rum to join the Malibu family. While the government flip-flops about which countries are and aren’t allowed on the green list, this drink is your passport straight to a tropical island, and we’re 100% here for it.

Playing down the coconut this time, and instead packing notes of ripe, juicy, refreshing watermelon into a 70cl bottle that’s ‘bursting with tropical flavours’, Malibu Watermelon might just be the cocktail ingredient of the year. Perfect for making watermelon mojitos and watermelon rum punch, we can see it being guzzled at BBQs around the UK, should lockdown restrictions lift on 21 June, as planned.

The latest in a run of watermelon-based spirit launches – Absolut Watermelon dropped back in March, while Verano Watermelon Flavoured Premium Gin was a smash hit last summer – ­it looks like the trend is here to stay.

The new tipple has already landed in Asda and Tesco and retails at £15 a bottle. Plus, Malibu Watermelon Lemonade cans are also available to purchase in Tesco and Morrisons at £1.80 each.

With the Malibu rum brand having launched in the 80s, there’s more than a dash of Wham’s Club Tropicana about this drink. We’ll be grabbing a high-ball and an inflatable flamingo and heading for the latest lido. Though whether Malibu Watermelon will be available year-round or just for summer, only time will tell.