Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe

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Escape to the islands with this stunning and refreshing Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe—a vibrant, pineapple-forward drink with a pop of bright blue color that screams paradise. This tropical classic blends vodka, light rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and sweet & sour mix to create a smooth, citrusy cocktail that looks as good as it tastes.
Whether you’re sitting poolside, hosting a luau, or just dreaming of the beach, this colorful cocktail instantly transports you to a tiki bar on the sand. Originally created in the 1950s in Waikiki, the Blue Hawaii remains a favorite for its iconic color, tropical flavor, and breezy vibes.

Ingredients

  • ¾ oz vodka

  • ¾ oz light rum

  • ½ oz blue curaçao

  • 3 oz pineapple juice

  • 1 oz sweet & sour mix

  • Crushed or pebble ice

Optional Garnish:

  • Pineapple wedge

  • Maraschino cherry

  • Orange slice

  • Edible orchid

  • Paper umbrella or cocktail pick

Optional Add-ins:

  • Splash of coconut cream (for a creamy twist)

  • ½ oz lemon juice (for extra tang)

  • 1 oz club soda (for a sparkling version)

  • 1 tsp simple syrup (if you prefer it sweeter)

Preparation

Chill and prepare your glass

Step 1: Select your glass
Traditionally served in a hurricane or tall tiki glass, you can also use a highball or stemless wine glass. Chill the glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes.

Build the cocktail

Step 2: Add ingredients to shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Pour in ¾ oz vodka, ¾ oz light rum, ½ oz blue curaçao, 3 oz pineapple juice, and 1 oz sweet & sour mix.

Step 3: Shake it up
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until chilled and slightly frothy. The sweet & sour and pineapple juices will blend and mellow the booze into a smooth sip.

Serve and garnish

Step 4: Strain over ice
Fill your chilled glass with fresh crushed or pebble ice. Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass.

Step 5: Garnish island-style
Add a pineapple wedge, cherry, orange slice, or even an edible flower. Top with a cocktail umbrella or colorful straw for a true tropical presentation.

Variation

Customize your Blue Hawaii to suit your vibe or occasion:

  • Frozen Blue Hawaii: Blend all ingredients with a cup of ice for a slushy-style drink.

  • Creamy Blue Hawaii: Add ½ oz coconut cream for a piña-colada-meets-blue-curacao experience.

  • Mocktail Blue Wave: Skip the alcohol and combine pineapple juice, sweet & sour, blue sports drink, and lemon-lime soda.

  • Extra Boozy: Add ½ oz overproof rum or a splash of orange liqueur for more depth.

  • Layered Look: Add blue curaçao last for a gentle swirl or ombré effect in the glass.

COOKING Note

  • Blue curaçao gives the cocktail its bright color and citrus flavor—be sure to use a good-quality brand for the best result.

  • Fresh pineapple juice works beautifully, but bottled is perfectly fine.

  • Sweet & sour mix can be homemade using lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup for a fresher, less sugary taste.

  • Always use crushed or pebble ice—it melts faster and keeps the tropical texture.

  • Don’t confuse Blue Hawaii with Blue Hawaiian (which contains coconut cream).

Tips

  • Pre-chill your ingredients to keep the drink frosty without too much dilution.

  • Make a big batch in a pitcher and serve over ice for a crowd—just stir instead of shake.

  • Add a sugar rim with blue sanding sugar for an extra pop.

  • Pair with tropical apps like shrimp skewers, coconut chicken, or pineapple salsa.

  • Serve under a paper umbrella for full vacation energy—even if you’re on your balcony.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving)

  • Calories: 215

  • Protein: 0g

  • Fat: 0g

  • Carbohydrates: 21g

  • Sugar: 18g

  • Sodium: 12mg
    Note: Nutrition values may vary depending on sweet & sour mix and garnish.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a Blue Hawaii and a Blue Hawaiian?
A Blue Hawaii uses sweet & sour mix and no coconut, while a Blue Hawaiian includes cream of coconut for a creamier texture.
Can I make it without vodka?
Yes! Just double the rum or use a flavored rum instead—like coconut or pineapple.
How do I make a large batch?
Multiply the ingredients by 4 or more, mix in a pitcher, and pour over ice. Add blue curaçao last for a visual swirl.
Is it very strong?
It’s balanced and refreshing—sweet from juice, with moderate alcohol. Add more or less rum and vodka to adjust.
Does it really taste tropical?
Absolutely. The pineapple, citrusy curaçao, and sweet & sour combine for a classic beach-bar flavor profile.

Conclusion

This Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe is a refreshing tropical escape in every sip. With its iconic color, fruit-forward taste, and smooth blend of rum, vodka, and citrus, it’s the perfect drink for parties, beach days, or just turning your kitchen into an island paradise. Simple to make and even easier to enjoy, this tiki classic proves that sometimes, blue is the happiest color. Cheers to sunshine in a glass!

Print
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Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe

  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 5 min
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • ¾ oz vodka

  • ¾ oz light rum

  • ½ oz blue curaçao

  • 3 oz pineapple juice

  • 1 oz sweet & sour mix

  • Crushed or pebble ice

Optional Garnish:

  • Pineapple wedge

  • Maraschino cherry

  • Orange slice

  • Edible orchid

  • Paper umbrella or cocktail pick

Optional Add-ins:

  • Splash of coconut cream (for a creamy twist)

  • ½ oz lemon juice (for extra tang)

  • 1 oz club soda (for a sparkling version)

  • 1 tsp simple syrup (if you prefer it sweeter)

Instructions

Preparation Chill and prepare your glass

Step 1: Select your glass
Traditionally served in a hurricane or tall tiki glass, you can also use a highball or stemless wine glass. Chill the glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes.

Build the cocktail

Step 2: Add ingredients to shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Pour in ¾ oz vodka, ¾ oz light rum, ½ oz blue curaçao, 3 oz pineapple juice, and 1 oz sweet & sour mix.

Step 3: Shake it up
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until chilled and slightly frothy. The sweet & sour and pineapple juices will blend and mellow the booze into a smooth sip.

Serve and garnish

Step 4: Strain over ice
Fill your chilled glass with fresh crushed or pebble ice. Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass.

Step 5: Garnish island-style
Add a pineapple wedge, cherry, orange slice, or even an edible flower. Top with a cocktail umbrella or colorful straw for a true tropical presentation.

Notes

  • Blue curaçao gives the cocktail its bright color and citrus flavor—be sure to use a good-quality brand for the best result.

  • Fresh pineapple juice works beautifully, but bottled is perfectly fine.

  • Sweet & sour mix can be homemade using lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup for a fresher, less sugary taste.

  • Always use crushed or pebble ice—it melts faster and keeps the tropical texture.

  • Don’t confuse Blue Hawaii with Blue Hawaiian (which contains coconut cream).

  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 0 min

Nutrition

  • Calories: 215
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 12 mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Protein: 1g

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