Ingredients
- 1 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 1 oz Raspberry Liqueur
- 3 oz Lemonade (Sprite)
Instructions
Combine Liqueurs:
- In your cocktail glass, pour 1 oz of Blue Curacao Liqueur and 1 oz of Raspberry Liqueur.
Top with Lemonade:
- Fill the glass with 3 oz of lemonade (or Sprite).
Serve:
- Give it a gentle stir, if desired, and enjoy your Holy Water Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Holy Water Cocktail doesn’t boast a centuries-old lineage or a specific bartender’s claim to fame. It’s more likely a product of modern bar culture, emerging in casual settings where colorful, easy-to-mix drinks gain quick popularity. Think backyard parties or resort bars where the goal is refreshment and visual appeal, rather than complex mixology.
This drink sits comfortably in the ‘liqueur and mixer’ category, a close cousin to highballs but with a lower proof. It shares DNA with other colorful, fruity concoctions like a Blue Hawaiian or a Midori Sour, though without a strong spirit base. The specific combination of raspberry and blue curacao gives it a unique, sweet-tart profile that sets it apart from more traditional spirit-forward drinks.
You’d typically find or serve a Holy Water Cocktail at a pool party, a summer BBQ, or a beachside bar. It’s a go-to for someone looking for a fun, refreshing drink that isn’t too strong and definitely stands out visually. It’s not a drink you’d expect to see on a classic cocktail menu in a serious craft bar.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, the Holy Water Cocktail delivers a bright, sweet burst of raspberry, quickly followed by the tangy, citrus notes from the blue curacao and lemonade. The mid-palate carries a balanced fruitiness, leaning sweet but with enough acidity to keep it from being cloying. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a pleasant fruity aftertaste without any lingering bitterness or heavy alcohol burn.
Given its ingredients, the Holy Water Cocktail clocks in at a relatively low ABV, typically between 7 and 8 percent. That makes it comparable to a standard light beer, or about half the strength of a typical spirit-forward cocktail like an Old Fashioned or a Martini. It’s definitely a sessionable drink, easy to enjoy without getting knocked over too quickly.
The technique
Building a Holy Water Cocktail is straightforward. Grab a chilled glass, preferably a highball or a large rocks glass. Pour in your blue curacao first, followed by the raspberry liqueur. Then, top the whole thing off with your chosen lemonade or lemon-lime soda. A quick, gentle stir is all it needs to combine the flavors without over-diluting.
The most crucial technique here is the gentle stir. Since this is a built drink, you’re aiming for a subtle integration of flavors, not a violently mixed concoction. Over-stirring or shaking will introduce too much aeration and dilute the drink unnecessarily, dulling its vibrant color and thinning out the sweet, fruity body.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Blue Curacao Liqueur
- Use
- Look for brands like Bols Blue, Senior & Co., or Giffard. Quality blue curacao offers a balanced bitter orange flavor and a vibrant, stable color, typically around 20-25% ABV.
- Skip
- Avoid overly artificial or syrupy versions. These can make the drink cloyingly sweet and give it an off-putting chemical aftertaste, rather than a fresh citrus note.
- Why
- Blue Curacao is essential for both the Holy Water Cocktail’s signature electric blue color and its distinct tangy orange flavor, which acts as a counterpoint to the raspberry sweetness.
Raspberry Liqueur
- Use
- Chambord is a classic, but other quality options include Dr. McGillicuddy’s Raspberry or Bols Raspberry. Aim for a liqueur with genuine fruit flavor, usually 15-20% ABV.
- Skip
- Don’t substitute with non-alcoholic raspberry syrup or artificial raspberry flavoring. These lack the necessary alcoholic backbone and depth of flavor, making the drink thin and overly sweet.
- Why
- This liqueur provides the primary sweet and tart berry notes, forming a crucial part of the Holy Water Cocktail’s fruity base and complementing the citrus from the blue curacao.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Holy Water #2
- A different fruit liqueur combination
- This variation often swaps the raspberry liqueur for peach schnapps and sometimes adds a vodka base, maintaining the blue curacao and lemon-lime mixer for a similar vibrant look and fruity profile.
Spiked Holy Water
- Add a base spirit for extra kick
- For an added alcoholic punch, incorporate 1.5 oz of a clear spirit like vodka or white rum. This boosts the alcohol content without significantly altering the visual appeal or primary fruit flavors.
Tropical Holy Water
- Swap the mixer for a beachy vibe
- Substitute the lemonade or Sprite with a blend of pineapple juice and a splash of lime juice. This shifts the flavor profile towards a more exotic, beachy vibe while keeping the signature blue hue.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use green curacao for a different color and similar citrus profile, or triple sec if the blue color isn’t critical. The drink will lose its signature hue.
Peach schnapps, strawberry liqueur, or even a good quality cherry liqueur can provide a similar sweet fruitiness, though the flavor will change.
Sprite or 7-Up works perfectly, as indicated in the recipe. Alternatively, mix fresh lemon juice with simple syrup and top with soda water for a less sweet option.
Any tall glass works well for this built drink, such as a highball glass, a pint glass, or even a large tumbler. Just ensure it’s chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Holy Water Cocktail?
A Holy Water Cocktail contains 1 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur, 1 oz Raspberry Liqueur, and 3 oz Lemonade (or Sprite).
Is the Holy Water Cocktail strong?
No, it’s a relatively low ABV drink, typically around 7-8%, making it comparable to a light beer rather than a strong cocktail.
What does the Holy Water Cocktail taste like?
It’s a sweet and tangy drink with prominent raspberry and orange citrus flavors, balanced by the effervescence of lemonade or Sprite. It’s fruity and refreshing.
What’s the best way to serve a Holy Water Cocktail?
Serve it chilled in a highball or large rocks glass, optionally garnished with a lemon slice, lime wheel, or fresh raspberries.
Can I make a batch of Holy Water Cocktail?
Yes, you can pre-mix the Blue Curacao and Raspberry Liqueur in a larger container. When ready to serve, pour the desired amount and top with chilled lemonade or Sprite.
Why is it called Holy Water?
The name likely comes from its clear, vibrant blue color, which can evoke a mystical or ‘holy’ appearance, combined with its refreshing and seemingly innocent taste.
What’s the difference between Holy Water and Holy Water #2?
The Holy Water #2 Cocktail typically uses a different combination of liqueurs, often including vodka and peach schnapps, while still featuring blue curacao and a lemon-lime mixer.
Can I use fresh fruit juice instead of lemonade?
You can, but you’ll need to adjust for sweetness. A mix of fresh lemon juice, a touch of simple syrup, and soda water would give a fresher, less sweet version than bottled lemonade or soda.
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