Blue Hawaiian classic cocktail recipe

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The Blue Hawaiian is akin to the Pina Colada, based on rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut. It promises a little taste of tropical paradise.

The biggest difference between those two drinks is the color: as the name suggests, it’s blue. Specifically, it’s the color of a sparkling pool on a clear, sunny afternoon.

But there is one other difference between the Blue Hawaiian and its tropical cousin: orange. The blue curacao adds a distinct note of orange to this drink.

The orange doesn’t overwhelm the pineapple and coconut flavor, though. It just adds another wonderful sweet, tart layer to the taste of the drink.

And that makes this drink a little less mellow than the Pina Colada. That little sour note from the orange gives it a refreshing twist.

The Blue Hawaiian is a great choice for a tiki party. Just be sure to serve it in clear tiki glasses so you can enjoy watching the blue color in the flickering firelight.

This is a drink designed to make you feel like it’s summer no matter where you are or what the weather’s like. Not only does it taste like the tropics, it also looks like them.

This drink has an exotic feel that makes you feel transported. Between the flavors and the look of it, it’s easy to imagine you’re someplace magical.

And sometimes that’s just what you need from a cocktail. It’s the drinking equivalent of “Calgon, take me away!”

Closeup of Blue Hawaiian drink surrounded by seashells

Cocktails are about visual appeal as well as taste. You can garnish this one with a simple cocktail umbrella, or you can spear a pineapple, a cherry, or both.

You could also garnish it with a chunk of cocktail. Whatever fruits you garnish it with, you can eat them along with the drink, which is always fun.

Either way, it’s a striking cocktail, with that lovely blue. A nice big pineapple wedge adds a striking-looking contrast – and it’s delicious to eat.

Two Blue Hawaiian drinks on bar with pineapple and cherry garnish

You can make this cocktail a blended drink, by mixing everything together with ice in a blender. That keeps it nice and cool for a hot day.

Or you chill it and pour straight up, or pour over ice. The most common method is probably to shake it with ice and pour it into an empty glass with just three or four ice cubes.

But on a hot day, you may welcome the addition of some ice – and this cocktail can take it. It’s got enough flavor not to just water down into nothing.

Two Blue Hawaiian drinks on bar in hurricane glasses

If you love the Blue Hawaiian…

Two glasses of Coconut Pineapple Martini on table

The Coconut Pineapple Martini blends coconut rum with pineapple juice and amaretto. It’s a wonderful twist on the usual tropical cocktail.

Mary Pickford cocktail with pineapple wedge

The Mary Pickford cocktail features rum, pineapple, and maraschino liqueur. The cherry note adds something special to this drink.

Pina Colada drink in front of coconut and pineapple

Check out the Pina Colada, which isn’t blue but has plenty else going for it. A wonderful blend of pineapple and coconut.

Blue Hawaiian drink with pineapple

Blue Hawaiian classic cocktail recipe

Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

The Blue Hawaiian is a classic drink recipe. It blends Blue Curacao with rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream for a tropical treat. The flavors are pineapple and coconut with orange.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Blue Curacao
  • 1 ounce white rum
  • 3 ounces pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce coconut cream

Instructions

  1. Put all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until chilled.
  3. Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass.
  4. Alternately, you can pour the drink, ice and all, into the glass.
  5. Alternately, you can put all the ingredients in a blender with ice, pulse the blender a few times until it's smooth, and serve it as a blended drink.

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Last Updated:

November 7, 2023