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The Blue Hawaiian is a fun tropical cocktail that’s eye-catching and delicious. Light rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice are shaken with blue curaçao syrup to create a sweet and creamy cocktail that’s perfect for summertime.
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First created in the 1950s, the drink was reportedly invented by legendary bartender Harry Yee at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Yee was asked to create a cocktail using Blue Curaçao, a bright blue liqueur made from orange peels.
The result was a vibrant drink that quickly became a hit with vacationers seeking an exotic taste of paradise. With its signature blue color and blend of coconut, pineapple, and rum, the Blue Hawaiian has become a staple of tiki bars and beach resorts.
What makes the Blue Hawaii cocktail so delicious is its perfect balance of sweet, fruity, and creamy flavors, paired with its unique blue presentation. The coconut cream adds a sweet richness, while the pineapple juice and lemon juice bring a refreshing tang that keeps the drink from feeling too heavy. It’s approachable even for those who don’t typically drink cocktails, and its playful appearance makes it a crowd favorite at any festive gathering.
Whether you're hosting a laid-back barbecue or planning a full-on tiki night, this cocktail brings a splash of sunshine and an instant vacation vibe to any setting. Shake up a Blue Hawaiian for your next summer pool bash, backyard party, or even during the winter months when you’re craving some tropical vibes.
What’s in a Blue Hawaii Cocktail
- White Rum - Use your favorite white rum or light rum. You can also swap this out for coconut rum, if you prefer.
- Pineapple Juice - Choose 100% pineapple juice for this recipe.
- Blue Curaçao Syrup - I love using blue curaçao syrup in place of the liqueur in this Blue Hawaiian recipe because the flavor is the same while bringing down the alcohol content a bit. Feel free to use blue curaçao liqueur instead, if you prefer.
- Cream of Coconut - Not to be confused with coconut cream or coconut milk, cream of coconut is what makes this drink sweet and creamy. Look for this in the mixer section of your grocery store or liquor store.
- Lemon - Sour mix has no place in this recipe! Fresh lemon juice brightens up this cocktail and keeps it from being too sweet.
- Pineapple (garnish) - Fresh pineapple leaves and/or pineapple slices make the perfect garnish for this drink.
- Maraschino cherries (garnish) - While bright red maraschino cherries are the classic choice, feel free to choose your favorite cocktail cherries for this drink.
How to Make a Blue Hawaiian (Step by Step)
In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes, combine rum, blue curaçao syrup, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and lemon juice.
Shake well and strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice cubes.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge, pineapple leaf, and maraschino cherry.
Sip and enjoy!
Homemade Blue Curaçao Syrup
Making your own blue curaçao syrup is easier than you think! You can even use natural coloring (with blue spirulina powder) to make it blue! Get my recipe and instructions over on my Blue Curaçao Syrup recipe page.
More drinks to make with blue curaçao syrup:
- Blue Mojito Cocktail (Blue Curaçao Mojito)
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail Recipe
- Blue Lagoon Mocktail (Non Alcoholic)
Don’t Miss These Tropical Drink Recipes
In the mood for more tropical drinks and fruity cocktails? Try more classic cocktails full of tropical flavor with a Pineapple Mai Tai, Rum Punch, or shake up an Easy Tiki Cocktail. My super popular non-alcoholic Piña Colada is perfect for those not having alcohol. Want something a bit lighter? Try a classic Mojito cocktail or Blue Mojito.
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Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1.5 ounces light rum
- 1 ounce blue curaçao either syrup or liqueur
- 0.75 ounce cream of coconut
- 0.5 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
- pineapple leaf garnish
- fresh pineapple wedge garnish
- maraschino cherries garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and lemon juice.2 ounces pineapple juice, 1.5 ounces light rum, 1 ounce blue curaçao, 0.75 ounce cream of coconut, 0.5 ounce lemon juice
- Shake well
- Strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple leaf, slice of pineapple, and/or maraschino cherries.pineapple leaf, fresh pineapple wedge, maraschino cherries
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