Last Updated on June 11, 2023 by Leah Hall
Because every tropical drink deserves a paper umbrella, this one is perfect! Make this Blue Hawaii cocktail recipe as soon as you can to enjoy a tropical getaway!
The Blue Hawaii was invented in 1957 by Harry Yee, head bartender of the Hilton Hawaiian Village (it was the Kaiser Hawaiian Village) in Waikiki, Hawaii. A sales rep of Bols Distillery asked him to make a drink that used their blue Curaçao liqueur. Yee made a version somewhat different from the most popular version today, but made with the signature blue green color, cocktail umbrella and pineapple wedge. (We opted out of the pineapple wedge for this photo shoot!)
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Some tales are told that Yee was holding up each Blue Hawaii served to ensure the drink’s color matched the Pacific ocean in front of him.
Make sure to check out our tour of the KoHana Distillery when we were in Hawaii!
Blue Hawaii
The name of the cocktail “Blue Hawaii” is indirectly related to the 1961 Elvis Presley film of the same name, and apparently comes from the film’s title song, written by Leo Robin for the 1937 Bing Crosby film Waikiki Wedding.
Yee, with many other tropical drinks he invented, and with tiki bars like Trader Vic’s, popularized the faux Hawaiian tiki culture. This came at a time when Hawaii was thought of by most Americans as playground for the rich, before it was a state. Tourism was abounding, but mostly in Waikiki.
Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe
Because it is easy and inexpensive to make, it can be served as a punch. It would be bottle a bottle of light rum, bottle of vodka, a 1/2 to 3/4 bottle of blue curacao, can of pineapple juice, lime juice, and a bag of ice, together in a punch bowl. The Blue Hawaii is seasonal, often considered a summer or warm weather drink. Occasionally, because it contains yellow pineapple juice, it can have a greenish color instead.
The Blue Hawaii is shaken with ice and strained into a tall glass, but it can be prepared frozen. Yee is said to have changed orders per the guest’s preference. Both taste great, and the frozen version may be extra refreshing on a hot day!
The Blue Hawaii cocktail recipe calls for sweet and sour mix, and you can choose one of the bottled products available the store. But, you can make your own, and the cocktail will be fresher tasting. All it takes is sugar, water and lime juice.
What does Blue Hawaii taste like?
What is the Difference Between the Blue Hawaiian and the Blue Hawaii?
What Ingredients are in this Tropical Cocktail?
- Vodka
- Light Rum. We love just a lightly aged rum, or even flavored rum like pineapple. But, dark rum is nice in this too!
- Blue Curacao. This gives the drink the signature blue color. It has an orange flavor.
- Pineapple Juice
- Sweet and Sour Mix. Pick one you enjoy, or make a homemade version.
Cheers!
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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
Try Some More Tropical Cocktails
- Rum Punch
- Tropical Mermaid – The Salty Pot
- Navy Grog
- Mai Tai
- Tropical Negroni – Beautiful Booze
The Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe
This fun blue tropical cocktail is a must make! A tasty combo of flavors with light rum, vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice and sour mix in this Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe.
Ingredients
- .75 ounce vodka
- .75 ounce Light Rum
- .50 ounce Blue Curacao
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce sour mix
- Pineapple wedge, cherry and umbrella if desired
Instructions
- Combine vodka, rum, blue curacao, juice and sour mix in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with crushed or pebble ice.
- Garnish with pineapple, cherry and paper umbrella if desired. If in a tall glass a straw is also recommended.
- Cheers!
Notes
Homemade Sour Mix is easy to make with just sugar, water, lemon and lime juices.
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup lime juice
Heat over medium heat like a simple syrup, until sugar is dissolved, but don't boil. Store in the fridge.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 252Total Fat: .1gSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 36.4gFiber: .2gSugar: 33gProtein: .3g
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