Bright, refreshing, and unmistakably tropical – the Blue Hawaii is a vacation in a glass.
🌴 The Blue Hawaii cocktail is a vibrant, tropical drink with origins in the golden age of tiki culture. It was first created in the 1950s at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Oahu. When a distiller asked bartender Harry Yee to craft a cocktail featuring the bright blue of Curaçao liqueur, Yee delivered a masterpiece that has since become a beachside classic.
🍸 Blue Hawaii Cocktail Recipe
Servings: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 1 oz (30 ml) light rum
- 1 oz (30 ml) Blue Curaçao
- 1 oz (30 ml) Cream of Coconut
- 2 oz (60 ml) pineapple juice
- 0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice (optional, for extra tang)
- Crushed ice
- Garnish: pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, or paper umbrella
Preparation Steps
- Fill a shaker with crushed ice.
- Add the rum, Blue Curaçao, Cream of Coconut, and pineapple juice. Add lime juice if you want a more citrus-forward balance.
- Shake well for about 15–20 seconds, until the mixture is well chilled and frothy.
- Strain into a hurricane glass or tall tiki glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple slice, cherry, and/or cocktail umbrella for that classic tropical look.
Tip: Use clear Blue Curaçao to get that brilliant lagoon-blue color!
🌺 Blue Hawaii vs. Blue Hawaiian: Know the Difference
Many confuse the Blue Hawaii with the Blue Hawaiian. While they look similar, there’s a key distinction:
| Cocktail | Contains Cream of Coconut | Appearance | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Hawaii | ✅ Yes | Milky blue | Tropical, rich |
| Blue Hawaiian | ❌ No | Clear blue | Lighter, citrusy |
🧉 Tiki Culture & Cocktail Variations
The Blue Hawaii emerged during the 1950s tiki craze, which blended Polynesian aesthetics with mid-century Americana. After Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959, the fascination with island life boomed.
Tiki drinks like the Mai Tai, Zombie, and Piña Colada filled menus—and the Blue Hawaii quickly became a staple.
🍹 Variation Tip:
- For a lighter, less sweet version, replace all or part of the rum with vodka.
- Experiment to suit your taste—half rum, half vodka is a popular twist!
🥥 Coconut Products Explained
Be sure to use Cream of Coconut, not coconut milk or coconut cream. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Product | Use | Sweetness | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Milk | Cooking/drinks | Unsweetened | Thin |
| Coconut Cream | Cooking | Unsweetened | Thick |
| Cream of Coconut | Cocktails | ✅ Sweet | Smooth and syrupy |