Ingredients
- 2 qt Water
- 1 Packet(s) Strawberry Cordial
- 2 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 3 oz Vodka
Instructions
- Mix into punch bowl and make sure that the koolaid is already pre measurable with sugar already added. Be careful. hard to taste alcohol so intoxication sets in quickly!
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Blue Lemonade, with its vibrant color and sweet profile, is not a classic from a bygone era. It is a modern concoction, likely born in home kitchens or college party scenes where ease of mixing and visual impact are prized over historical accuracy or complex flavor profiles. It is a crowd pleaser for casual get togethers.
This drink fits squarely into the punch category, a large format style designed for sharing. It is a cousin to other fruit flavored punches or spiked lemonades, but its distinctive blue color from the curacao sets it apart from more traditional red or yellow party drinks.
You would typically find this served at house parties, backyard BBQs, or any casual gathering where the host wants a fun, easy drinking option. It is not something you would usually order at a craft cocktail bar, but it is perfect for a self serve setup.
What it tastes like
On the front, you get a rush of sweet strawberry from the cordial, quickly followed by a subtle citrus note from the blue curacao. The mid palate maintains that sweetness, with the vodka providing a clean, almost undetectable, alcoholic warmth. The finish is sweet and refreshing, leaving a lingering fruit flavor with no harsh edges.
This punch comes in around 2.3% ABV, which is significantly less potent than a typical beer or a standard cocktail. While the recipe warns of quick intoxication, the actual alcohol content is low. However, its extreme sweetness and easy drinkability can lead to faster consumption, making the alcohol feel stronger than it is, so approach with caution.
The technique
Building this punch is straightforward: grab a large punch bowl. First, prepare your strawberry cordial according to its package directions, ensuring the sugar is fully dissolved. Once the base is ready, pour in the blue curacao and vodka. Give everything a good stir to ensure even distribution of color and alcohol. Serve it cold, ideally over ice.
The single most important technique here is ensuring the cordial base is perfectly mixed and chilled before you add the spirits. If your cordial is lumpy or warm, it will affect the entire drink’s texture and enjoyment. A well prepared base means a smoother, more refreshing final product.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Blue Curacao Liqueur
- Use
- Opt for a quality blue curacao like Bols, Giffard, or Senior. These brands offer a cleaner orange flavor and vibrant color without tasting artificial. ABV typically ranges from 20-25%.
- Skip
- Avoid the cheapest options that are mostly sugar and artificial coloring. They can give the drink a cloying sweetness and a less appealing chemical aftertaste.
- Why
- Blue Curacao is load bearing for two reasons: it provides the signature blue color that defines the drink, and it adds a necessary layer of bitter orange citrus to balance the intense sweetness of the strawberry cordial.
Vodka
- Use
- A neutral, unflavored vodka works best here. Smirnoff, Svedka, or even a house pour are perfectly suitable. The goal is a clean alcohol base that does not interfere with the fruit flavors.
- Skip
- Unless you are intentionally going for a specific flavor profile, skip flavored vodkas. They can clash with the strawberry and orange notes. Also, there is no need for top shelf vodka in a punch like this.
- Why
- Vodka provides the alcoholic kick without adding any strong flavor or color that would compete with the cordial and curacao. It is the silent workhorse, making it a party drink without changing its character.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Red Lemonade Punch
- Same great taste, different color.
- Omit the blue curacao entirely. The drink will retain its strawberry flavor and refreshing profile, but will be a vibrant red instead of blue.
Spiked Berry Lemonade
- Fancier base, real lemon zing.
- Instead of strawberry cordial, use a good quality prepared lemonade as your base, then add a splash of strawberry syrup or muddled fresh strawberries along with the vodka and blue curacao.
Tropical Blue Punch
- A little bit of island escapism.
- Swap out the vodka for light rum and add a splash of pineapple juice to the mix. This gives the punch a more tropical flavor profile while keeping the distinctive blue hue.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Any red fruit flavored drink mix, like Kool Aid or a similar powder, will work. Adjust sugar to taste if using an unsweetened mix.
You will lose the blue color and the specific orange note. A small amount of orange liqueur like Triple Sec can replace the flavor, but for color, you might need a drop of blue food coloring.
Light rum or even a clean gin (used sparingly) can substitute, but they will impart their own distinct flavors to the punch.
A large pitcher, a clean food safe bucket, or any sizable container capable of holding several quarts of liquid will do in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blue Lemonade?
A Blue Lemonade typically contains water, a strawberry cordial or drink mix, blue curacao liqueur, and vodka.
Is Blue Lemonade strong?
The recipe provided results in a punch with a low ABV, around 2.3%. It is not considered a strong drink in terms of alcohol content per serving.
What does Blue Lemonade taste like?
It tastes predominantly sweet and fruity, with strong strawberry notes, a hint of orange citrus, and a refreshing finish.
What gives Blue Lemonade its color?
The vibrant blue color comes entirely from the blue curacao liqueur.
Can I make Blue Lemonade non alcoholic?
Absolutely. Simply omit the vodka and blue curacao. You can add a splash of orange juice and blue food coloring if you still want the color and a hint of citrus.
What kind of cordial should I use?
Any strawberry flavored drink mix or cordial, like Kool Aid or similar products, will work. Ensure it is prepared according to its own instructions first.
How do you serve Blue Lemonade?
It is best served very cold, over plenty of ice, in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh berries if desired.
Why is it called Blue Lemonade if it uses strawberry cordial?
It is a bit of a misnomer. While traditional lemonade uses lemon, this drink gets its ‘lemonade’ descriptor from its sweet and tart, high volume, refreshing profile, much like a fruit flavored lemonade. The ‘Blue’ comes from the curacao, and the primary fruit flavor here is strawberry from the cordial.
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