Ingredients
- 1 oz Blackcurrant Vodka
- .5 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
- .5 oz Sours
- .25 oz Sugar Syrup
- 1 Splash Lemonade
- Raspberry Liqueur
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, mix 1 oz blackcurrant vodka, 0.5 oz blue curacao liqueur, 0.5 oz sours, 0.25 oz sugar syrup, and a splash of lemonade.
Shake:
- Shake well to blend the flavors and chill the mixture.
Pour:
- Pour the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
Layer Raspberry Liqueur:
- Using a spoon, gently layer raspberry liqueur on top.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy this vibrant and refreshing delight!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Under Current Cocktail appears to be a modern creation, likely emerging from the late 20th or early 21st century bar scene. Its combination of flavored vodkas and liqueurs points to a period where brightly colored, fruit-forward drinks gained popularity. It isn’t tied to a specific region but fits the global trend of accessible, visually appealing cocktails. Think of it as a house special that got picked up.
This drink sits comfortably in the ‘vodka-based fruit cocktail’ family, alongside cousins like the Woo Woo or the Blue Hawaiian. What sets the Under Current Cocktail apart is the specific blackcurrant and raspberry liqueur combination, giving it a deeper berry note than many of its tropical or peach-focused relatives. The layered raspberry liqueur also adds a distinct visual flair.
You’d likely find the Under Current Cocktail on a diverse bar menu, perhaps at a casual restaurant, a lively club, or a resort bar. It’s the kind of drink people order when they’re not looking for a serious spirit-forward cocktail, but something refreshing and easy to sip. It’s also a solid choice for a house party where you want to impress with color without needing a complex ingredient list.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, the Under Current Cocktail delivers a punch of sweet and tart blackcurrant, quickly followed by the bright citrus notes from the blue curacao and sours. The mid-palate brings in a mellow sweetness from the sugar syrup and a hint of lemon from the lemonade. The finish is predominantly berry, with the raspberry liqueur providing a final sweet, slightly tangy flourish that lingers.
Assuming a standard 40 ABV vodka, 20 ABV liqueurs, and negligible sours/lemonade, this drink comes in around 18-20 ABV. That puts it significantly stronger than a standard beer, which is typically 4-6 ABV. It’s in line with many classic cocktails, so treat it with the same respect. It’s easy to drink, but it will catch up to you.
The technique
Building the Under Current Cocktail is straightforward. Start by filling a shaker with ice, then add your blackcurrant vodka, blue curacao, sours, and sugar syrup. Give it a good, hard shake until the shaker is frosty cold. Strain the chilled mixture into a highball glass already filled with fresh ice. The final touch is to gently float the raspberry liqueur on top using the back of a spoon to create that distinct layered effect.
The key technique here is the raspberry liqueur layer. Don’t just dump it in. Pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon, held just above the drink’s surface, allows the denser liqueur to sit on top of the lighter mixture. If you pour it too fast or directly, it will just mix in, and you lose the visual appeal that makes this drink an ‘Under Current’.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Blackcurrant Vodka
- Use
- Look for a quality blackcurrant vodka like Absolut Kurant or Grey Goose L’Orange if you want a subtle fruit. For a bolder, sweeter blackcurrant hit, brands like Eristoff Black or Fruko Schulz work well. Aim for a distinct berry flavor, not just a hint.
- Skip
- Don’t substitute with plain vodka and blackcurrant syrup or cordial. You’ll miss the alcoholic backbone and the integrated flavor profile. It will taste watered down and overly sweet.
- Why
- Blackcurrant vodka provides the primary flavor driver and alcoholic base for the drink. Its unique tart and sweet berry profile is what gives the Under Current Cocktail its name and character.
Blue Curacao
- Use
- Any decent quality blue curacao will do the job here. Bols, DeKuyper, or Senior are all reliable choices. The main goal is the color and a consistent orange citrus flavor.
- Skip
- Avoid cheap, artificial tasting curacao. It can give the drink a medicinal or overly sugary taste that detracts from the overall balance. Also, don’t use triple sec unless you don’t care about the blue color.
- Why
- Blue curacao is essential for both the vibrant blue color and the underlying orange citrus note that cuts through the berry sweetness. It’s a critical component for both aesthetics and flavor balance.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Purple Current
- Deepen the berry notes.
- Swap the blue curacao for a blackberry liqueur. This will shift the color to a richer purple and intensify the dark berry profile, making it a less bright but equally flavorful drink.
Green Current
- A minty, melon twist.
- Replace blue curacao with Midori melon liqueur and the raspberry liqueur with a creme de menthe. This creates a bright green drink with a refreshing melon and mint finish, a completely different flavor profile.
Tropical Current
- Add some island flair.
- Introduce a splash of pineapple juice along with the lemonade and perhaps a coconut rum instead of blackcurrant vodka. This will give it a more exotic, beachy feel, while keeping the vibrant color.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use plain vodka with a little extra raspberry liqueur and a tiny dash of blackberry syrup for a similar berry profile, though it won’t be quite as complex.
Triple sec can work for the orange flavor, but you’ll lose the signature blue color. Consider a splash of blue food coloring if color is paramount, but be sparing.
Combine equal parts fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. This will replicate the tart and sweet balance effectively.
Use a teaspoon of granulated sugar and ensure you shake well to dissolve it. Alternatively, honey syrup or agave nectar can work, but will alter the flavor slightly.
A Collins glass or even a large tumbler will work just fine. The important thing is enough space for ice and the layered liqueur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Under Current Cocktail?
The Under Current Cocktail contains blackcurrant vodka, blue curacao liqueur, sours, sugar syrup, a splash of lemonade, and raspberry liqueur for layering.
Is the Under Current Cocktail sweet?
Yes, the Under Current Cocktail is on the sweeter side, balanced by the tartness of the sours and blackcurrant vodka. It’s definitely a fruit-forward, sweet drink.
What does blue curacao taste like?
Blue curacao tastes like a sweet orange liqueur, similar to triple sec, but with a vibrant blue color derived from food coloring. It provides a citrus base without being overly bitter.
Can I make the Under Current Cocktail less sweet?
To make it less sweet, reduce the sugar syrup or omit it entirely. You could also increase the amount of sours slightly, but be careful not to make it too tart.
What’s the best way to layer the raspberry liqueur?
Pour the raspberry liqueur slowly over the back of a bar spoon, held just above the surface of the drink. This allows it to float on top without mixing in immediately.
What kind of ice should I use?
Use regular cubed ice in the shaker for chilling. For serving, fresh cubed ice is ideal, but crushed ice can also work if you prefer a faster chill and dilution, just be aware it melts quicker.
Is this a strong drink?
At around 18-20 ABV, the Under Current Cocktail is comparable in strength to many classic cocktails. It’s definitely stronger than a beer, so enjoy it responsibly.
Can I make a batch of Under Current Cocktail?
Yes, you can pre-batch the main mixture of blackcurrant vodka, blue curacao, sours, and sugar syrup. Just add the lemonade and raspberry liqueur when serving individual drinks.
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