Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Rum
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
- fill with Lemonade
Instructions
Fill Glass with Ice:
- Start by filling a glass with ice.
Add Ingredients:
- Pour in 1 oz vodka, 1 oz rum, 1 oz gin, and 1 oz blue curacao liqueur over the ice.
Shake and Serve:
- Shake the mixture well to combine all the flavors. Serve immediately.
Serve:
- Enjoy the refreshing, zesty flavors of the Blue Motorcycle 2.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Blue Motorcycle is a modern classic, emerging from the American bar scene likely in the 1980s or 90s. It's a direct descendant of the notorious Long Island Iced Tea, born in an era when high-proof, sweet, and visually striking drinks were king in nightclubs and casual bars across the country.
This drink belongs to the Long Island family of cocktails. Its relatives include the Long Island Iced Tea itself, the Tokyo Tea, and the Adios Motherfucker. What sets the Blue Motorcycle apart is the use of blue curaçao for its color and distinct orange flavor, combined with lemon-lime soda instead of cola.
You'd order a Blue Motorcycle in a busy club, a lively college bar, or a casual restaurant where the goal is a potent, refreshing drink without much fuss. It's not a craft cocktail bar staple, but it's a solid choice for high-volume service and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at a party.
What it tastes like
Expect a sweet and citrus-forward flavor profile. The lemon-lime soda and sour mix provide a bright, zesty base, while the blue curaçao layers in a sweet orange note. Underneath that, you'll pick up the subtle complexities of the four base spirits: the clean bite of vodka, the light sweetness of rum, the botanical hint of gin, and the earthy kick of tequila. It's surprisingly smooth for its strength.
This is a potent drink. With roughly 2 ounces of 80-proof spirits and another half ounce of blue curaçao, a standard Blue Motorcycle often contains about 1.0 to 1.25 ounces of pure alcohol. To put that in perspective, a 12-ounce beer at 5% ABV contains about 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. So, one Blue Motorcycle is roughly equivalent to two standard beers, often more.
The technique
Building a Blue Motorcycle is straightforward. Grab a highball glass, fill it with ice. Pour in your vodka, rum, gin, tequila, and blue curaçao. Add your sour mix. Give it a quick stir to combine and chill the ingredients. Top the glass with lemon-lime soda and garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry if you're feeling fancy. Serve it up cold.
The most important technique for this drink is chilling your ingredients properly. Start with a cold glass and plenty of fresh ice. Giving the spirits and sour mix a good stir before adding the soda ensures everything is integrated and frosty, preventing a diluted, weak-tasting drink as the ice melts.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Blue Curaçao
- Use
- Any standard blue curaçao will work here. Look for brands like Bols, De Kuyper, or Torani for reliable color and flavor.
- Skip
- Don't try to substitute with regular orange liqueur and blue food coloring. The flavor profile will be off, and the color won't be as vibrant.
- Why
- Blue curaçao is essential for both the signature color and the distinct sweet orange flavor that separates this drink from its Long Island cousin.
The Base Spirits
- Use
- Standard 80-proof vodka, light rum, gin, and silver tequila are all you need. Don't break the bank, but avoid anything that tastes like rubbing alcohol.
- Skip
- Don't bother with expensive, top-shelf spirits here. Their nuances will be lost in the mix. Also skip flavored spirits, they will clash.
- Why
- The combination of these four spirits creates a broad, potent alcohol base. Each contributes a subtle layer of complexity that would be missing with fewer components.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Long Island Iced Tea
- The OG
- The direct ancestor. Swap the blue curaçao for triple sec and top with cola instead of lemon-lime soda for the classic.
Tokyo Tea
- Green Machine
- Another colorful cousin. Replace the blue curaçao with Midori melon liqueur and keep the lemon-lime soda for a vibrant green, melon-flavored kick.
Adios Motherfucker
- Another Name, Same Punch
- Often the exact same recipe as a Blue Motorcycle, sometimes with a splash of 7-Up and orange juice. The name is just a different way to say 'this drink is strong'.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
You can omit it, but the drink will lose a bit of its edge. Replace with an extra half ounce of vodka or gin.
Use triple sec and a few drops of blue food coloring if you absolutely need the color, but the flavor will be less distinct.
Sprite or 7-Up are standard. You can use club soda with a bit more sour mix and simple syrup, but it won't be as sweet.
A large tumbler or even a pint glass will work. The key is enough capacity for the liquid and plenty of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blue Motorcycle?
A Blue Motorcycle typically contains vodka, light rum, gin, silver tequila, blue curaçao, sour mix, and is topped with lemon-lime soda.
Is a Blue Motorcycle strong?
Yes, it's a very strong cocktail. With four different spirits, it packs a significant alcoholic punch, often equivalent to two or more standard beers.
Why is it called a Blue Motorcycle?
The name is likely a play on its vibrant blue color and its potency, suggesting it can 'take you for a ride.' It's also a variant of the Long Island Iced Tea family.
What does a Blue Motorcycle taste like?
It tastes sweet, citrusy, and boozy. The lemon-lime soda and sour mix provide a bright, tart base, with notes of orange from the blue curaçao and a complex alcohol blend from the four spirits.
Is a Blue Motorcycle the same as a Long Island Iced Tea?
No, they are similar but not the same. A Blue Motorcycle swaps the triple sec and cola of a Long Island Iced Tea for blue curaçao and lemon-lime soda.
Can I make a Blue Motorcycle less sweet?
Yes. Reduce the amount of sour mix or use fresh lemon and lime juice instead of a pre-made sour mix. You can also use a sugar-free lemon-lime soda.
What glassware should I use for a Blue Motorcycle?
A tall highball glass or a large tumbler is ideal. This allows for plenty of ice and the full volume of the drink.
Is the Blue Motorcycle a good party drink?
Absolutely. Its vibrant color, sweet taste, and potent kick make it a popular choice for parties and casual gatherings where a strong, enjoyable drink is desired.
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