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Here are the most popular blue curacao drinks to try! From the classic Blue Hawaii to vibrant margaritas, blue cocktails have a sweet tart flavor and a brilliant ocean-tinted hue.
What’s more fun than the novelty of a bright blue drink? I’ve been testing blue curacao cocktails for years, and I can tell you there’s no ingredient quite like this vibrant liqueur for making drinks that taste as incredible as they look.
Blue curacao is a sapphire-tinted orange liqueur made in the Caribbean. It has a bright citrusy flavor and a color that makes drinks look like swimming pool water. I’ve tested dozens of blue drink recipes over the years and here are my top ideas, in order of popularity! From the classic Blue Hawaii to more unique drinks, I hope you’ll find something you love.
My Top Blue Curacao Drinks
The most popular blue drink? The Blue Hawaii, aka Blue Hawaiian! It's a tropical cocktail made with rum, vodka, blue curacao, and pineapple juice. It was invented in 1957 in Waikiki, Hawaii. The reason behind the drink? Well, it was all a marketing ploy. A sales rep asked Harry to create a drink with his company’s product, blue curacao, the orange flavored liqueur that gives this drink its color!
The margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails in history. It was invented in Mexico in the 1930’s and has stood the test of time. In fact, it’s hard to find a drink that’s more universally loved. The drink has spawned many, many variations: like the Blue Margarita! Swap out the Triple Sec for blue curacao and you've got a whole new drink.
Here’s a bright blue drink that’s fresh and sweet tart: the Blue Long Island Iced Tea! The traditional Long Island Iced Tea has a bit of a reputation for being a low-brow, high alcohol drink. But this classic has beautifully fresh flavor and less alcohol than most cocktails. This blue spin on the classic uses blue curacao for its ocean-hued color, and it adds a lovely citrusy flavor.
Try this bubbly bright blue masterpiece: the Aqua Velva! A child of the 1980’s, it’s got a searing neon color that belies its birth. While some versions of this cocktail can be sickly sweet, make it with fresh lemon juice and soda water and it’s a refreshingly complex. The botanical notes in the gin shine though, pairing perfectly with the citrus of the blue curacao.
The Blue Lagoon cocktail has many variations, but the most common base recipe mixes vodka, blue curacao, and lemonade! Like many cocktails, the origin of the drink is cloudy. Some say it was invented in 1972 by bartender Andy MacElhone at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. The most common cocktail recipe uses lemonade, but our spin uses simple syrup and fresh lemon juice for an even tastier drink.
What Is Blue Curacao?
Curacao is an orange liqueur invented in the 19th century by Dutch settlers on Curaçao, an island in the Caribbean. There were originally several colors of Curaçao liqueur, including clear, blue, red, green and orange. The most popular colors today are blue and clear. The liqueur is flavored with the Laraha orange peel, a special type of orange tree that grows on the island.
The original curacao liqueur has been made on the island since 1896. The Bols company invented Blue Curacao and started selling it as early as 1912. It’s become popular over the years for making blue alcoholic drinks that are often associated with beach resorts.
Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Blue curacao cocktails shine brightest when served with complementary foods and in the right setting. Here are my favorite ways to serve them:
- Tropical themes: Pair with coconut shrimp or fish tacos.
- Summer pool parties: Serve alongside smoked salmon appetizer bites and a veggie platter.
- Game day gatherings: These colorful cocktails pair surprisingly well with Texas caviar (cowboy caviar) and other casual appetizers.
- Appetizer spreads: Create an elegant presentation alongside ultimate cheese board selections for a sophisticated start to the evening.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Blue curacao has long shelf stability, making it perfect for home bars. I store mine in a cool, dark place where it keeps for years. For parties, I often prepare large batches of Blue Hawaii or Blue Margarita mix (without ice) up to 4 hours ahead. Just remember to stir well before serving, as the ingredients can separate.
Storage tip: Always keep blue curacao tightly sealed to prevent the alcohol from evaporating and the color from fading.
More Drinks by Color
Love picking drinks based on color? Us too! Outside of these curacao drinks, here are a few more alcoholic drinks sorted by hue:
- From neon to pale green, these green cocktails use liqueurs or natural ingredients for color.
- There are red cocktails for everyone, from raspberry martini to bitter Negroni.
- From dusty rose to fuchsia, these pink cocktails are 100% delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blue curacao tastes like sweet orange peel — bright, citrusy, and slightly bitter on the finish. Despite its color, the flavor is basically the same as clear curacao or triple sec, just dyed blue.
Most blue curacao falls between 15% and 25% ABV (about 30 to 50 proof), which makes it a lower-alcohol liqueur. It’s typically used as a mixer rather than the main spirit in a drink.
You can substitute regular curacao, triple sec, or Cointreau and get nearly the same flavor, you just won’t get that beautiful blue color. Some bartenders combine clear orange liqueur with a few drops of blue food coloring.
No. Like most spirits and liqueurs, blue curacao is shelf-stable and doesn’t require refrigeration. Just store it tightly sealed in a cool, dark spot, and it will last for years.
This usually happens when blue curacao is mixed with a yellow ingredient like lemon juice or pineapple juice. If you want to keep the ocean-blue color, use clear mixers (lemon-lime soda, soda water, vodka) and limit the amount of yellow citrus.
you have some very good looking drinks. I also have one called The Blue Coyote it’s definitely a good one
Can I make this is bulk ahead of time? Put it into a large container?
Yes, but not more than 8 hours ahead or the flavor will dull a bit. For a simple 8x recipe, just swap ounces for cups.
I’m not one to usually write reviews. I won’t say this is the best blue Hawaiian I have drank. But since I don’t have a goto to recipe this may become my goto recipe with a few tweaks over several makes. Have tried multiple recipes before and this is the best in balance of ingredients. 4 stars.
I have tried and failed making a beautiful drink that is purple on the top and what looks like blue curaçao on the bottom. I have a gorgeous photo that I cannot seem to send through this link. I’m hoping I can send you the photo so you can help me figure out the recipe.
Hi! You can email us at: email@acouplecooks.com
HOLA SOY PACIENTE DE CANCER ME GUSTARIA INVENTAR UN TRAGO PARA MI FAMILIA EN NAVIDAD CON MI NOMBRE PARA QIE ME REC UERDEN
COLOR VERDE
PUERTO RICO