Ingredients
- 45 ml white rum
- 30 ml blue curacao Bols or Marie Brizard
- 90 ml pineapple juice fresh if possible
- 30 ml cream of coconut Coco Lopez
- 1 wedge pineapple garnish
- 1 piece maraschino cherry garnish
Instructions
- Combine rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice and cream of coconut in a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10-12 seconds.
- Pour over crushed ice in a hurricane glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry on the rim.
- Add a paper umbrella if you have one. The drink demands it.
Notes
Where it came from
The Blue Hawaii was conceived in 1957 by legendary bartender Harry Yee at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Honolulu. A Bols sales rep challenged him to create a drink using their newly available Blue Curaçao, and the rest is colorful history. It quickly became a staple of tropical resort menus.
Often confused with the Blue Hawaiian, the key difference here is the inclusion of vodka, making it a different beast entirely. It belongs to the broader family of tiki and tropical cocktails, sharing DNA with drinks like the Mai Tai or Piña Colada, but it carves its own niche with that unmistakable vibrant blue hue and specific spirit blend.
You'd typically find this drink at a resort bar on a beach, a cruise ship, or any establishment leaning into a tropical vibe. It's also a perfect candidate for backyard barbecues, pool parties, or any gathering where you want to serve something visually striking and undeniably fun.
What it tastes like
The Blue Hawaii delivers a robust sweet and sour profile, dominated by the bright, tangy notes of pineapple juice and a citrus kick from the sour mix. The Blue Curacao provides a subtle bitter orange undertone and, of course, that iconic color. Both light rum and vodka contribute a clean, boozy foundation without overpowering the fruit.
With standard pours of rum, vodka, and blue curaçao, this drink typically hovers around 15 to 20% ABV, depending on the exact recipe and how much it gets diluted by ice. That makes it considerably stronger than most beers, putting it more in line with a glass of wine, so pace yourself accordingly.
The technique
Building a Blue Hawaii is straightforward. Combine all your ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice. Give it a good, hard shake for about 15 seconds until it's thoroughly chilled. Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass or a tall highball glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish it with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry for the full effect.
The one technique tip that truly matters here is proper chilling and dilution. Don't be shy with the ice, both in the shaker and in the serving glass. A well-chilled tropical drink is infinitely more refreshing and prevents it from becoming cloyingly sweet too quickly.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Blue Curaçao
- Use
- Bols Blue Curaçao, Senior & Co. Curaçao Blue, Giffard Blue Curaçao.
- Skip
- Any cheap, artificially flavored blue syrup that isn't actual curaçao. It's not the same.
- Why
- This is the star for both color and a subtle bitter orange flavor. Without it, you just have a clear, tropical drink, not a Blue Hawaii.
Pineapple Juice
- Use
- Freshly squeezed pineapple juice is always the best. If not, a good quality 100% pineapple juice like Dole or Lakewood will do the trick.
- Skip
- Pineapple juice concentrate, or anything with added sugars, water, or artificial flavors. It will taste thin and fake.
- Why
- It provides the essential tropical fruit backbone and balances the spirits. The fresher the juice, the brighter and more vibrant the drink will taste.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Blue Hawaiian
- The Creamier Cousin
- This popular variation swaps the vodka for cream of coconut, resulting in a richer, smoother, and slightly less boozy tropical experience with a similar blue hue.
Electric Lemonade
- Blue and Bubbly
- While not a direct variation, this drink also leverages blue curacao for its striking color, often combining it with vodka, lemon juice, and a splash of lemon-lime soda for a fizzy, tart, and vibrant blue concoction.
Blue Margarita
- Tequila's Blue Hue
- A simple yet effective twist on the classic Margarita, where blue curacao replaces the traditional triple sec, giving the tequila and lime juice a distinctive blue color and a subtle orange note.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use triple sec for the orange flavor and a tiny drop of blue food coloring if the color is a must. Otherwise, it'll be a 'Clear Hawaii'.
Orange juice can work in a pinch, but be aware the flavor profile will shift significantly. Mango or passion fruit juice could also be interesting.
Combine 1 ounce fresh lemon juice and 0.5 ounce simple syrup per serving to create a quick sour mix.
A tall highball glass, a pint glass, or even a large wine glass will serve the purpose. The drink will taste the same, just look a little different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blue Hawaii Cocktail?
A Blue Hawaii Cocktail typically contains light rum, vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice, and sweet and sour mix.
Is a Blue Hawaii the same as a Blue Hawaiian?
No, they are distinct. A Blue Hawaii uses vodka, while a Blue Hawaiian typically uses cream of coconut instead of vodka, making it creamier.
Why is the Blue Hawaii blue?
It gets its signature vibrant blue color from the blue curacao, an orange-flavored liqueur.
Is the Blue Hawaii a strong drink?
Yes, with both rum and vodka, it's a relatively strong cocktail, often having an alcohol content comparable to a glass of wine.
What kind of rum should I use in a Blue Hawaii?
A light or white rum is traditional and preferred. It allows the blue color to shine through without adding heavy, aged rum notes.
Can I make a non-alcoholic Blue Hawaii?
Absolutely. You can use a non-alcoholic blue syrup or cordial, pineapple juice, and a non-alcoholic sweet and sour mix for a virgin version.
What's the best garnish for a Blue Hawaii Cocktail?
The classic garnish is a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry, which adds to its tropical presentation.
Can I make a batch of Blue Hawaii for a party?
Yes, this drink is great for batching. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings needed, mix in a pitcher, and chill. Add ice to individual glasses when serving.
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