Blue Hawaii Cocktail
Need a vacation? Try one of these Blue Hawaii Cocktails and pretend you’re lying on a tropical beach somewhere, even if you’re in your own backyard!
I mentioned last week that my daughter was making a cocktail for a baby shower and the Blueberry Mojito I did was simply not blue enough. So I took some expert advice from my friend Karen who used to be a bartender and my other friend Google who seems to have all the answers and I found the perfect drink for their event; the Blue Hawaii.
Not to be confused with the Blue Hawaiian either which includes coconut milk; Emily wanted something both pretty and refreshing and this fit the bill. I admit, I was nonplussed about Blue Curacao but after making it and sipping it, I can’t deny that I enjoyed it.
Was it sweet. Yep. Sort of girly? That too. But it was for a baby shower; isn’t that sort of perfect?
The Blue Hawaii cocktail was first made in the Hilton Hawaiian Village bar in 1957 when their bartender was asked by a sales rep from the Dutch distiller to create a drink using their Blue Curacao liqueur.
While today’s version is a bit different, the main elements remain of the signature blue color, pineapple and cocktail umbrella. I eschewed the umbrella simply because I could not find any in my supplies but I think it looks just as tropical nonetheless! We used their recipe as the base for our drink but with some modifications.
Emily wanted to keep the alcohol level light; guests were driving in from all over to Em’s part of town so she decided to eliminate the vodka. She has also heard me talk about my new ‘thing’ for Cruzan Rum and I suggested she look for their brand in the liquor store. Even better than just white rum; she found some that was flavored with natural coconut. This was meant to be!
Emily’s friend from college, Colleen, and her husband Ryan have been waiting for what seems like FOREVER to get the good news that a baby would be joining their family.
That the news would come while they were on vacation in Hawaii? Priceless huh? Luckily there was no frantic scurrying home; LittleM was not yet born but his birth was imminent and now will forever be wound into all that is Hawaii.
So a theme was born. It would be blue of course, and some whales were involved and it was indeed appropriate to have a blue, tropical and so aptly named cocktail served when everyone got together to share in the new family’s joy this past weekend.
I admit I considered making my own sweet and sour mix. After tasting the finished cocktail I decided that since Em had found a good sweet and sour product with natural ingredients (that’s my girl!) that some times and some places really can benefit from the ease of using a ready made product and a baby shower sure fit that bill!
The name kills me but Dr. Swami and Bone Daddy does it right and given the same set of circumstances I would use them too. I’ve also included my homemade version in the notes so you can do that too .
I decided to use Emily’s patio again for this shoot and this is Emily’s dog Ginny. I would like to say she was my assistant or something really smart but the truth is she is just a little beggar and always underfoot.
Still, she was true to the cause and as a reward got a cherry. We tried very hard to get her to be still and pose but it was Ginny and she is ALWAYS moving. What can I say; I love this crazy Corgi dog!
All my best to the new parents and their adorable baby!
PIN ‘Blue Hawaii Cocktail’
Blue Hawaii Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz rum We loved coconut rum!
- 1 oz vodka for our party, we decided not to but I do typically include it
- 1 oz blue curacao
- 3 ozs pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz sweet and sour I used Dr. Swami and Bone Daddy brand - see Notes for homemade recipe
- Fresh pineapple cubes and maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients except garnish together and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour cocktail mixture into glasses and garnish with pineapple and maraschino cherries.
Notes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature, then add the lemon and lime juices and mix well. Keep extra refrigerated for up to 1 week or freeze it for later use.
Awsm recipe. Must try this innovation. Good work
Mine is a darker blue for some reason. Not sure why?
Thank you so much for this recipe, is has made me proud after the party at home this weekend..after the the gold coast sevens my friends all enjoyed.
Congrats to the Cool Blue parents!! What a beautiful cocktail!! Love coconut rum 😀
I hesitated because it was blue but it’s funny; it turned out so pretty and was sort of perfect for the event; sweet, fruity and light on the booze. I might have to try it with the vodka next time! 🙂
What a beautiful drink ! Congratulations to the Cool Blue Parents 🙂
It is pretty isn’t it? Why are you so far away!!???
So pretty! And my favorite color 🙂 I have a bottle of Blue Curacao meant for a 4th of July concoction just waiting for this refreshing sip of Hawaii. Thanks for sharing the history of the Blue Hawaii and Colleen’s story. And I see a cute little Corgi that looks a lot like ours 🙂 Is Ginny a tri-color like our Tank?
I would have to ask Em about Ginny…she’s just tan and white so maybe not a tri-color. I went with Emily to the breeder to pick a newborn pup that was a tri-color but 8 week old Ginny simply would not leave us alone…she is stubborn that way. I think I could hear her say, ‘Pick me, pick me’ and so, even though Emily could not have her at her place for 2 months, we picked her. She lived with me until Emily was roommate free so we have a very special bond. One that for some reason includes running into my lap and licking my right ear. 🙂
The classic Blue Hawaii has developed a bit of a bad reputation since its artful beginning in 1957. Sadly it’s been reduced to a bottled mix of whatnot and a catchall for vagrant grocery store juice sloshed together with blue food dye and a grade of rum that could gag a pirate. But not in your hands. Thanks for bringing back the art to this blue beauty. GREG
Aw thanks Greg…I was a bit hesitant about actually trying it but, even though a tad sweet (PERFECT for the girls), I have to admit I sort of liked it. Very fruity and I’m not kidding about Cruzan…they’re making some nice products at a great price point. That ‘all natural’ stuff matters to me and it makes a difference in the end result too.
This is one of my favorites! On my (first) honeymoon, I was in Jamaica. I said to the bartender: “I want something that’s an unnatural color, in a coconut shell and an umbrella… that has a kick” and this is what he gave me. Love.
Hehe…you made me chuckle; it’s the unnatural color business…isn’t that the truth?
LOL, love the puppy enjoying the cherry…. and what a great retro cocktail.
Isn’t she cute…she lay there, in my way, ever so patiently just hoping for something to fall to the floor. I could not help but to reward her for that…and cause, well, I love her just a bit!
Great story! And these drinks sound yummy too.
Thanks Melanie…and thanks for stopping by!
I love this story and this cocktail! I am not really a “sweet cocktail” kind of girl, but I might just have to make an exception!! Gorgeous!!! Oh, and Congratulations to the soon to be new parents!!!
I’m with you, but it was a fun sipping drink on a hot day; no complaints from me!
I LOVE this cocktail (and the fact it’s cruzan coconut – Barb – you are tempting me!) Looks amazing 🙂
I have really been impressed with their rum, even the flavored ones Aly…we seem to have embarked on a good partnership; even when I’m buying the bottle!
I do love the colour of this cocktail and the back story behind it. It must have gone over really well at the shower. Congratulations to the new parents. Your non-assistant is adorable, great photos:)
What a festive and fun drink! Brings back terrific memories –
Isn’t it interesting how foods and drinks can be so tied to experiences…so glad to have rekindled some of yours!
Great picture! I’m doing this cocktail later this month, although the traditional vodka version (what can I say? I’m a classic cocktail sort, even though I”m not exactly sure I’d call this a classic!). Super food styling, most excellent background. And a pretty good recipe, too. Fun post – thanks.
Yeah…hard call on whether this is a classic but I think it fits some sort of criteria to be classified as such. It was born in Hawaii a long time ago; that makes it work for me! The vodka wasn’t missed; I’m sure it would have added some punch to the drink but we wanted to keep that ‘punch’ business to a minimum!
I am sure this drink was a hit at the baby shower, what a wonderful reason to have a celebration! I can’t remember trying this drink even when we lived in Hawaii. It looks so refreshing and makes me miss the beach and ocean…
It was perfect for the shower; a younger crowd and a not so boozy libation to boot. I would probably have said…where is the vodka?? 🙂
I love hearing about the family and seeing Emily’s dog. What a cutie. however, that drink is lovely. Who isn’t humming Elvis songs now?
I know right? I bet as a girl listening to Elvis I only dreamed of someone handing me this cocktail on a beach with the ‘Pelvis’ himself nearby!
I love any cocktail that is blue, purple or any color for that matter but this is especially pretty. It could only be better if sipped on a beach in Maui. I can just taste it.
I did this for you and Emily and was not unhappy with the end result at all. Still have a bit even; want to join me? 🙂
Beautiful Blue Hawaii cocktail, B! It truly is the perfect cocktail for a baby shower full of women who would appreciate a refreshing, tropical girly blue drink in celebration of a baby boy. I know how important it is for you concerning all-natural ingredients. I am the very same way. In fact, I had to order in a spirit for my next post and just picked it up last night. (Whew!) So, quick photo shoot and post for me today…going live at some point late in the day. But, the wait is so worth it! Once again, a gorgeous cocktail. Thanks for sharing! Pinning everywhere! xo