Blue Hawaii Cocktail
Article & Photos by: allie albanese
Gorgeously azure in color and deliciously citrus-forward in flavor, this classic Blue Hawaii cocktail is light, refreshing, and begs to be sipped on a sunny day by the pool!
When you see a blue drink, what is your immediate impression?
Back when I was in college, I worked at a very high-volume, late-night bar that catered to a young crowd. A Blue Kamikaze shot was a very popular request at the time, and was really the only drink I ever used Blue Curaçao to make. (And by Blue Curaçao, I mean that super cheap, blue-colored, sugar syrup in a plastic bottle masquerading as Blue Curaçao!) So for the longest time, I equated blue drinks with being cheap, sweet and not something I would ever order.
But, with age comes wisdom and as my interest in cocktails shifted from slinging drinks behind the bar to really understanding the art of mixology, I came to understand that a) not all Blue Curaçao is created equal and b) a quality made one is absolutely delightful!
Hailing from the Dutch island of Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean, this distinctively blue liqueur is a little bitter and a little sweet. It is made from the dried peels of Laraha oranges and is citrusy in flavor, but not inherently blue in color – its color comes from electric blue food coloring to give it its distinctive hue! It also comes in a dry version that isn’t blue, and the flavor of both is similar to the flavor of Triple Sec, both are just a touch more bittersweet.
One of the most famous drinks made with Blue Curaçao is the Blue Hawaii (not to be confused with the Blue Hawaiian, which I’ll be sharing in a later post!), which was created in Honolulu in 1957 and is one of the most recognized cocktails associated with the Aloha State. However, this is the first time I’ve ever actually made this drink for myself and I’m actually kicking myself that I haven’t done so sooner!
Gorgeously azure in color and deliciously citrus-forward in flavor, this tipple is light and refreshing and one that begs to be sipped on a sunny day by the pool.
A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she seeks to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.
As the Beverage Director and Bar Manager of a high-volume cocktail bar, Allie spent years honing her mixology skills and learning about the fascinating world of drinks. In the time since, she’s worked as a wine and cocktail consultant for both private and corporate clients, as well as a freelance journalist writing about cocktails, wine, food, and travel for various publications across the United States and abroad.
When mixing a drink for herself, you’ll likely find Allie with a fresh Gin Gimlet or a spicy Old Fashioned in hand!
Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.
Blue Hawaii
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 Drink
Description
Gorgeously azure in color and deliciously citrus-forward in flavor, this classic Blue Hawaii cocktail is light, refreshing, and begs to be sipped on a sunny day by the pool.
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Light Rum
- ¾ oz Vodka
- ¾ oz Blue Curaçao
- 2 oz Pineapple Juice
- ½ oz Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Lime Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
- Garnish: Pineapple Wedge and a Maraschino Cherry
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass of your choice and garnish.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Drink
- Cuisine: Cocktails
Hi Friends, I’m Allie!
I’m an Italian-German-Southerner with a deep passion for food, drinks & travel. After 15 years in NYC as a Certified Sommelier & cocktail creator, plus a stint in New Zealand learning how to make wine, I’m now back home in Georgia where I blend my love for culinary arts & travel into my work as a writer & photographer. Thank you so much for joining me here at Parched where I look forward to exploring the world together one bite, sip & adventure at a time!
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I’ve been exploring cocktail recipes and loved this one
How fun! There are so many delicious drink recipes out there to try. I’m happy you enjoyed this one.
Thank you! This is the REAL recipe!
This comment made my day! Thank YOU, I love that you know and appreciate the difference! 😀🍹
You have done a great job on this website. I will definitely recommend it to my friends.
That is so nice of you to say, thank you very much! I appreciate your support and I thank you in advance for sharing my site with your friends. 🤍
Good!
Thank you! It’s such a fresh and fruity sip! 😋