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The Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe

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Last Updated on October 9, 2022 by The Noms

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!)

 

Blue green cocktail in balloon glass with crushed ice, paper umbrella, cherry and orchids

 

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Blue cocktail being poured from shaker in glass with crushed ice

 

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 cocktail being poured from shaker in glass with crushed ice

 

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 green cocktail in balloon glass with crushed ice, paper umbrella, cherry and orchids

 

Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe

 

Blue Hawaii cocktail recipe in balloon glass with orchids, paper umbrella and cherry

 

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!

 
Blue Hawaii cocktail recipe in balloon glass with orchids, paper umbrella and cherry
 

Sweet and Sour Mix

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?

Since it has rum, pineapple juice, orange liqueur and sour mix, it’s a tropical treat. Light and refreshing, this one is great for a hot day!
 
 
Blue Hawaii cocktail recipe in balloon glass with orchids, paper umbrella and cherry
 

What is the Difference Between the Blue Hawaiian and the Blue Hawaii?

After the Elvis movie debuted, there was a plethora of tropical cocktails, including the Blue Hawaiian cocktail. The Blue Hawaiian is the Blue Hawaii with coconut cream, or just a blue Pina Colada, for lack of better terms. It has coconut milk or creme de coconut, which makes it a lighter color green than 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.

 

Blue green cocktail in balloon glass with crushed ice, paper umbrella, cherry and orchids

 

Cheers!

 

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #gastronomcocktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Coffee, Coffee Bean, Coffee Liqueur, Banana Liqueur, pineapple juice, coconut cream, mezcal, cocktail, Tiki Cocktail, Tropical Flavors, tiki mugCargo Cult

 

Orange cocktail in rocks glass with crushed ice, mint sprigAncient Mariner

 

Try Some More Tropical Cocktails

 

Blue Hawaii cocktail recipe in balloon glass with orchids, paper umbrella and cherry
Yield: 1

The Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

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

  1. 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.
  2. Garnish with pineapple, cherry and paper umbrella if desired. If in a tall glass a straw is also recommended.
  3. 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.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 252Total Fat: .1gSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 36.4gFiber: .2gSugar: 33gProtein: .3g

Did you make this recipe?

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PIN THIS BLUE HAWAII COCKTAIL RECIPE FOR LATER!

Green cocktail in bulb glass with purple orchid, cherry and yellow umbrella

Interested in stocking your own home bar? Make sure to see our favorites at our Amazon Store!

 

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