Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe
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This Blue Hawaiian Cocktail recipe has a sweet, tropical flavor with hints of coconut and pineapple, balanced by the citrus flavors of blue curaçao. It’s a perfect drink for summer parties or relaxing by the pool.
Looking for more Hawaiian cocktails? Check out these recipes for Mai Tai and Piña Colada cocktails too!
Blue Hawaiian vs Blue Hawaii?
The Blue Hawaiian and Blue Hawaii cocktails are often confused due to their similar names and vibrant blue color, but they have distinct differences in ingredients and flavor profiles.
- The Blue Hawaiian cocktail uses cream of coconut, giving it a rich, creamy texture and a stronger coconut flavor.
- The Blue Hawaii cocktail uses vodka and sweet and sour mix, resulting in a tangier, less creamy drink with a more pronounced citrus flavor.
What’s in a Blue Hawaiian?
- Crushed ice
- Pineapple juice
- Light rum – aka white rum
- Blue curaçao liqueur
- Coco Lopez cream of coconut
- Pineapple wedge
- Maraschino cherry
Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.
Fun fact
The tropical Blue Hawaiian cocktail was created by Harry Yee, a legendary bartender at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Hawaii. He is credited with inventing the cocktail in 1957.
Harry Yee is known for his contributions to tropical cocktail culture and his creativity in crafting visually stunning and delicious drinks. The Blue Hawaiian recipe, with its vibrant blue color and refreshing taste, is one of his most famous creations.
For even more gorgeous blue cocktails, check out my Blue Dream Sangria, Blue Lemonade Cocktail, and Philadelphia Eagles Cocktail recipes too!
How to make a Blue Hawaiian
Combine crushed ice, pineapple juice, rum, blue curacao, and cream of coconut in a blender.
Blend on high speed until smooth.
Pour into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
This blue frozen cocktail will have you feeling like you are on a tropical island enjoying cool ocean breezes.
Expert Tips
- You can use coconut rum to enhance the coconut flavor. Dark rum is not typically used as it can alter the cocktail’s color and taste.
- Canned coconut milk or coconut cream can be substituted for the cream of coconut, but the texture and sweetness will be different. Cream of coconut is thicker and sweetened, coconut milk and coconut cream are not. You will need to add a sweetener (like simple syrup) to achieve the correct flavor.
- If you do not have a blender, you can shake the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain them into a glass filled with crushed ice. This won’t give you the slushy texture but will still provide the same great taste.
- A highball glass is the traditional choice for this fun cocktail, but you can also use a hurricane glass, a tiki glasses, or whatever tall glass you have on hand.
- It is best to prepare Blue Hawaiians fresh to maintain their texture and flavor. If you need to prepare in advance, blend all ingredients except the ice and store in the refrigerator. Add ice and blend again just before serving.
- Blue curaçao is essential for the signature blue color and its orange flavor. If you don’t have blue curaçao, you can use triple sec with a few drops of blue food coloring, but the flavor may slightly differ.
More tropical cocktails to enjoy
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Enjoy!!
Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice fresh juice is best if you have it
- 1 ounce light rum white rum like Bacardi
- 1 ounce blue curacao liqueur
- 1 ounce cream of coconut Coco Lopez sweetened creme de coconut
- 1 pineapple wedge
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Combine crushed ice, pineapple juice, rum, blue curacao, and cream of coconut in a blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use coconut rum to enhance the coconut flavor. Dark rum is not typically used as it can alter the cocktail’s color and taste.
- Canned coconut milk or coconut cream can be substituted for the cream of coconut, but the texture and sweetness will be different. Cream of coconut is thicker and sweetened, coconut milk and coconut cream are not. You will need to add a sweetener to achieve the correct flavor.
- If you do not have a blender, you can shake the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain them into a glass filled with crushed ice. This won’t give you the slushy texture but will still provide the same great taste.
- A highball glass is the traditional choice for this fun cocktail, but you can also use a hurricane glass, a tiki mug, or whatever tall glass you have on hand.
- It is best to prepare Blue Hawaiians fresh to maintain their texture and flavor. If you need to prepare in advance, blend all ingredients except the ice and store in the refrigerator. Add ice and blend again just before serving.
- Blue curaçao is essential for the signature blue color and its orange flavor. If you don’t have blue curaçao, you can use triple sec with a few drops of blue food coloring, but the flavor may slightly differ.
