Ingredients
Instructions
Mix Ingredients:
- In a mixing glass, pour 1 oz bourbon whiskey.
Add Raspberry Juice:
- Add enough blue raspberry juice to the whiskey until the mixture takes on a blue hue, more than brown.
Top with Soda:
- Top off the mixture with lemon-lime soda until the drink is fizzy and well combined.
Serve in Collins Glass:
- Pour the mixture into a Collins glass, adding ice if desired.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the bold, fizzy flavors of the Blue Latvian.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This isn't one that's going to show up in any dusty Prohibition-era manuals. The Blue Latvian feels like it popped up in a college town bar sometime in the last few decades, a fun experiment with bright colors and easy-drinking flavors. Its exact origin is hazy, like most drinks that rely on artificial fruit flavors.
It's essentially a dressed-up Bourbon and soda, but with a playful twist on color and a specific sweet-tart profile. Think of it as a distant, more colorful cousin to a simple whiskey highball, designed for impact rather than subtle complexity. It separates itself by fully embracing the 'fun' over 'fancy' label.
You'd find this at a house party, a casual backyard barbecue, or maybe a bar that still has 'Ladies Night' specials. It's a low-fuss, high-visibility drink that works well when the vibe is relaxed and nobody's judging your choice of mixer. Definitely a crowd-pleaser for those who like a little sweetness with their kick.
What it tastes like
The Blue Latvian hits you with a one-two punch of sweet and tart from the blue raspberry, immediately followed by the crisp, bubbly lift of lemon-lime soda. The bourbon peeks through, adding a warm, slightly caramel backbone that keeps it from tasting like pure candy. It's bright, fizzy, and undeniably fun on the palate.
With 1 oz of standard 80-proof (40% ABV) bourbon in a drink that probably fills a 12-14 oz glass, you're looking at a pretty mellow sip. Roughly, it lands somewhere around 5-7% ABV, depending on how much juice and soda you pile in. That's about the same strength as a decent craft beer, so you won't be falling over after one.
The technique
Building this one is straightforward. Grab a mixing glass, pour your bourbon. Add enough blue raspberry juice to give it that vibrant, unmistakable color without drowning out everything else. Then, top it off with lemon-lime soda until it's bubbly and mixed. Give it a gentle stir if you like, then pour it all into a Collins glass. Ice is optional, but usually a good idea.
The key here is the blue raspberry juice. Don't just dump a splash. You need enough to really transform the color from brown to blue, but not so much that it becomes cloyingly sweet. Find that sweet spot where the color pops and the flavor still has some balance.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Bourbon Whiskey
- Use
- Any decent mid-shelf bourbon works great here. Think a standard Jim Beam, Wild Turkey 81, or even a Maker's Mark if you're feeling generous. No need to break the bank for this one.
- Skip
- Don't bother with a high-rye bourbon or a peated Scotch. Their aggressive or smoky notes will clash hard with the sweet, fruity vibe of the blue raspberry.
- Why
- Bourbon brings that essential warm, vanilla, slightly oaky base that grounds the otherwise very sweet and fizzy components. It gives the drink its adult edge.
Blue Raspberry Juice
- Use
- Any blue raspberry flavored juice, syrup, or cordial. The goal is that specific sweet-tart, slightly artificial fruit flavor and, of course, the vibrant blue color.
- Skip
- Fresh raspberries or plain red raspberry juice. They won't give you the iconic blue color or the distinct 'blue raspberry' flavor profile this drink is known for.
- Why
- This ingredient is the entire reason the drink exists. It provides the unique color and the signature sweet-and-sour fruit punch flavor that defines the Blue Latvian.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Blue Russian
- Vodka for a smoother spirit
- Swap out the bourbon for 1 oz of your preferred vodka. It makes for a lighter, cleaner spirit base, letting the blue raspberry and soda really shine without the bourbon's warmth.
Purple Latvian
- Grape soda for a different fizz
- Instead of lemon-lime soda, top your bourbon and blue raspberry mixture with grape soda. It adds another layer of fruity sweetness and a fun purple hue to the drink.
Spiked Blue Slushie
- Blended and frosty
- Combine all ingredients with a scoop of ice in a blender. Blend until smooth for a frosty, adult slushie version. Great for hot days when you want something extra cold.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a standard whiskey, or even vodka if you're not looking for that specific aged spirit character.
Blue curacao can provide the color, though it adds an orange note. For just the raspberry flavor (and no blue color), use regular raspberry syrup or juice.
A clear soda like Sprite or 7-Up works. If you want less sweetness, use club soda with a fresh squeeze of lime.
Any tall glass will do the trick. A pint glass or even a large tumbler works just fine for this casual drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blue Latvian?
A Blue Latvian contains bourbon whiskey, blue raspberry juice, and lemon-lime soda.
Why is it blue?
The drink gets its distinctive blue color from the blue raspberry juice, which is specifically formulated to be that vibrant hue.
Is it a strong drink?
No, it's a relatively light drink. With only 1 oz of bourbon, it's comparable in strength to a standard beer once diluted with juice and soda.
Can I make it less sweet?
Absolutely. Use less blue raspberry juice and more lemon-lime soda, or even a splash of club soda, to cut down on the sweetness.
Can I make a Blue Latvian with vodka instead of bourbon?
Yes, you can swap bourbon for vodka. It will result in a lighter, less complex flavor profile, but still a fun, colorful drink.
What kind of ice should I use for a Blue Latvian?
Standard ice cubes are perfectly fine. You can also use crushed ice for a faster chill and a slushier texture.
What's the best bourbon for a Blue Latvian?
You don't need top-shelf bourbon for this. A reliable, mid-range bourbon like Jim Beam or Wild Turkey will do the job without being overshadowed by the sweet mixers.
Is the Blue Latvian a 'classic' cocktail?
No, the Blue Latvian is a modern, fun cocktail that doesn't have a long history or classic status. It's all about vibrant color and easy-drinking flavor.
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