Blue Hawaii Cocktail – Recipe

The Blue Hawaii cocktail is a tropical drink made with White Rum, Vodka, Blue Curaçao, Pineapple Juice, and sweet and sour mix. It is typically served in a tall curvy glass with ice and garnished with a cherry and a pineapple wedge.

The bright blue color of the drink is thanks to the blue curaçao, a liqueur made from the dried peel of the Laraha citrus fruit, which is grown on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. The Blue Hawaii cocktail is named after the Elvis Presley movie “Blue Hawaii,” which was released in 1961.

The Blue Hawaii drink has become a popular choice at tiki bars and tropical-themed restaurants and is often served as a refreshing and fruity option for summertime sipping.

Blue Hawaii vs Blue Hawaiian

The main difference between a Blue Hawaii vs a Blue Hawaiian is that a Blue Hawaiian uses Crème of Coconut instead of Sweet and Sour mix. The addition of coconut changes the drink dramatically. If you are ordering at a bar, and forget this detail, specify to your bartender or server that you want the version that’s with/without coconut.

Can I just Use Rum in a Blue Hawaii?

You can use 100% Rum if you feel like it. For the above recipe, you’d add 1.5 ounces of Rum and omit the Vodka. I choose to cut the drink with some Vodka as I found Rum a bit too strong or dominating for fruity drinks.

I’d stick away from using Dark Rum for a Blue Hawaii, as the dark colour of the Rum might make your drink look more muddy than blue.

What is Sweet and Sour Mix and How Do I Make It?

Sweet and Sour Mix is one part water mixed with one part sugar. You then squeeze in some lime juice for the sour flavour and green colour. If you are at a bar, you can make a batch of Sweet and Sour Mix in advance if you are planning on serving a lot of these cocktails. Sweet and Sour mix is also used in Whiskey Sours and Margaritas.

If you are at home and only having one Blue Hawaii, you can make up a little amount.

Bar Lime, and Lemonade can be used as Sweet and Sour Mix in a pinch (provided the cocktail isn’t calling for too much).

My Blue Hawaii is Green!

That’s okay! A Blue Hawaii should be a Blue/Green colour like sea water. If it’s too blue, it might look like toilet bowl cleaner. If you want it more Blue and less Green, add a bit more Blue Curaçao and less pineapple juice.

Is a Blue Hawaii a Blended Drink?

Some bars make their Blue Hawaii cocktails a blended drink, and some do not. If you prefer it blended with ice so it’s an adult slushy, ask your bartender to do so. The same goes if you are at home making one. My preference is for it to be on ice.