This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.

Hpnotiq is a sky blue liqueur that tastes like passionfruit and mango! Its bright color and fruity flavor make it ideal for cocktails.

Hpnotiq
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

It’s sky blue, it’s fruity, and it’s got major early 2000’s vibes: it’s Hpnotiq! Pronounced “Hypnotic” for those of us not in the know, this classy liqueur has a brilliant color and delightful passionfruit flavor. But is this trendy bottle worth the hype? Here’s the backstory of the blue liqueur, and whether we think it’s worth adding to your collection.

What is Hpnotiq?

Hpnotiq is a sky blue liqueur invented in 2001, made with tropical fruit juices, vodka and Cognac. It was invented by entrepreneur Raphael Yakoby, allegedly inspired by a bottle of blue perfume he saw in Bloomingdale’s. The blue liqueur caught on after rapper Sean Combs started to sell it in his restaurant chain Justin’s in New York.

The brand became a pop culture hit, and was mentioned in rap and hip hop hits of the early 2000’s (apparently it was included in 163 song lyrics back in the day!). In 2003, Yakoby sold the brand to Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. for a reported 50 million dollars. It’s now bottled in France and imported to the US.

How do you say it? Say “Hypnotic.” (In fact, it’s often misspelled that way.)

What does Hpnotiq taste like?

Hpnotiq tastes sweet, with strong notes of passionfruit and mango and a subtly bitter finish. Critiques of the blue liqueur are that it is rather sweet and reeks of the 2000’s. But hey: some people say it’s ready to make a comeback!

How much alcohol is in Hpnotiq? It is 17% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has a low alcohol content that’s similar to liqueurs like Baileys Irish Cream.

Are there any Hpnotiq substitutes? Not really! Blue curacao is close in color, but it’s an orange liqueur so the flavor is quite different. There’s not really a good match for this liqueur.

Why we like it

Hpnotiq might carry a strong 2000’s vibe, but we’re here for it! The passionfruit flavor is unique and it’s well-balanced with other fruity flavors (though it’s on the sweet side). We like it in tropical cocktails because the flavors pair well, and the famous Incredible Hulk is rather intriguing. It’s not a must-buy since it’s not used in many cocktails, but it’s a fun splurge for the adventurous home mixologist.

How much does it cost?

Compared to other liquors, Hpnotiq is mid-priced. A 750 ml bottle costs about $20.

You can drink Hpnotiq straight as a shot, or shaken with ice. Or, make it into cocktails! The most popular Hpnotiq drink is the Incredible Hulk, but you can also try it in a tropical drink like the Hypnotic Breeze or Daiquiri.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Print

Hpnotiq Daiquiri

Hpnotiq
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ounce* white rum
  • 1 ounce Hpnotiq
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • ½ ounce simple syrup

Instructions

  1. Add the white rum, Hpnotiq, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake until cold.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

More cocktail guides

Need more liquor guides? We’ve got them! Here’s all you need to know about home bartending:

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star