Think of blue cocktails and what springs to mind? You might say, ”sunburned British teens abroad”. Well, you might not be wrong there but there’s certainly more to blue alcoholic drinks than this.
Blue cocktails all have one thing in common however… Blue Curaçao. It’s this very drink that turns the cocktail from boring to fun in one quick pour!
Blue cocktail recipes – 4 of the best
Blue cocktails may seem like they lack sophistication and are solely found in the bars of Magaluf and Ayia Napa but you’d be wrong! There’s potential in this blue wonder…
1. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon cocktail is probably the most famous of all the blue cocktails out there. For lovers of a slightly sweet / slightly bitter cocktail, this is their first order of the Wetherspoon’s pitchers. Deliciously refreshing and super easy to make…
Ingredients
- 30ml Blue Curaçao
- 30ml vodka
- 120ml lemonade
- Lemon wheel and maraschino cherry (to garnish)
Method
Step 1 – Add the vodka and Blue Curaçao to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
Step 2 – Pour into the serving glass and fill with lemonade.
Step 3 – Garnish the Blue Lagoon with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
2. Frozen Blue Lagoon
Our second favourite of the top blue cocktails is the Frozen Blue Lagoon cocktail. This may seem like a cop-out but this is a serious contender! Stop shaming the Blue Lagoons!
Ingredients
- 60ml Blue Curaçao
- 40ml vodka
- 100ml lemonade
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 400g crushed ice
Method
Step 1 – Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail blender and blend until it’s a smooth consistency, but not melting and slushy!
Step 2 – Pour into your serving glass and enjoy.
3. The Blue Hawaii
When the King of pop Elvis released his film ‘Blue Hawaii’ back in the 60s, it kicked off a trend for blue cocktails that had never been seen before. The Blue Hawaii was born – a fruity, ocean blue long drink bursting with flavour, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.
Ingredients
50ml Blue Curaçao
50ml white rum
100ml pineapple juice
1 tsp coconut cream
Method
Step 1 – Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
Step 2 – Using a Hawthorne Strainer, strain the cocktail into the serving glass.
4. Sapphire Alpine
A flavourful blue Martini that appeals to a stylish audience, the Sapphire Alpine is a classy cocktail you would be proud to serve to guests. Unlike most gin based Martinis, this isn’t a dry drink, since its gentle botanic and citrus undertones give it a unique edge.
Ingredients
30ml Blue Curaçao
30ml gin
30ml peach schnapps
Method
Step 1 – Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
Step 2 – Serve in a chilled Martini glass for that extra bit of class!
What is Blue Curaçao?
First things first, you may be wondering what ingredient is responsible for making these blue drinks, and the answer is Blue Curaçao (or Blue Curacao to those English speaking folk). This is one of the leading drinks that bartenders turn to when producing a tropical cocktail.
Despite its colour, this drink is traditionally made with bitter orange peels, originating from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. It dates back to the late 1500s when Bols introduced this drink to the market, later adding its trademark blue streak to add an air of mystery. As a result, Blue Curaçao has a orange flavour to it, similar to an orange liqueur. Adding this blue drink with mixers like cranberry juice, lemonade or clear spirits are your one-way ticket to a great tasting cocktail. Blue Curaçao is truly versatile!
Available in different colours other than their trademark blue, this line was introduced to offer a variety of eye-catching colours to liven up any drink, as well as a sweet kick. Volumes can vary from 15-40%.
So why the colour blue? Well, rumour has it that the vibrant colour seeks to emulate the ocean-blue waters of the Caribbean island, to add a ‘tropical flavour’, reminding you of a holiday abroad.
If you want to learn how to master blue curacao behind the bar, read more about our bartender courses taught worldwide.
