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!)
This post contains affiliate links for products that we think you as readers might find useful, and we make commission off of these! For more details about our affiliates, click our Disclosure and Contacts Page.
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
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!
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?
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!
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!
You can also subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a delicious recipe again!
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.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 252Total Fat: .1gSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 36.4gFiber: .2gSugar: 33gProtein: .3g
PIN THIS BLUE HAWAII COCKTAIL RECIPE FOR LATER!
Interested in stocking your own home bar? Make sure to see our favorites at our Amazon Store!
If you liked this post, don’t forget to subscribe for new (and of course free) recipes by entering your email address on the side bar (and get all the recipes delivered to your inbox when we post), so you don’t miss out on a thing. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter!
Gastronomblog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com