If you’ve ever enjoyed a cocktail with vibrant blue color, there’s a good chance it included blue curacao. Blue curacao is a bartender staple that most people don’t know much about aside from the artificial blue color. So what is blue curacao? What does it taste like? Let’s dive into the specifics of this classic liqueur and how it can improve your cocktail experience!
Origins of Blue Curacao
Blue curaçao liqueur originated in the Dutch Caribbean on an island called Curaçao. The story began in 1527 when Spaniards attempted to plant Seville oranges in Curaçao. The climate didn’t produce a good harvest, but the orange plants evolved into a new type of orange!
This became known as the laraha orange or laraha citrus fruit. Laraha oranges are green, and the fruit inside is extremely bitter. People quickly discovered that while the oranges were too bitter to eat, their peel smelled incredible!
It was a man named Lucas Bols who found a way to get that aromatic essence out of a laraha orange peel in the form of an oil. This oil was then used to create an orange liqueur.
With other orange liqueurs on the market, Bol needed something to set his liqueur apart from the rest. Bright blue coloring was added during the production process, and blue curaçao was born!
The Bols company got to work marketing the blue version of a classic orange liqueur. The eye-catching color of blue curacao attracted attention, and it started selling in record numbers!
Popular Blue Curacao Drinks
Blue Curacao is used in tons of cocktail recipes! From old classics to modern mixed drinks, blue curacao is on the menu. These are some of the most popular blue curacao drinks we love!
Blue Hawaiian
The Blue Hawaiian cocktail was created in Hawaii in the 1950s, and the recipe has always included blue curacao. This drink perfectly compliments the blue curacao taste with pineapple juice and sweet coconut cream. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- Blue Curaçao liqueur
- Coconut cream
- Rum or coconut rum
- Pineapple juice
Blue Margarita
A blue margarita is a fun twist on a classic margarita. The recipe is just three ingredients and it’s perfect for enjoying at home or the bar! Garnished with a lime wedge and salt on the rim, this is a crowd-pleasing cocktail that never goes out of style.
Ingredients:
- Blue Curaçao liqueur
- Tequila
- Lime juice
Blue Monday
The Blue Monday cocktail is another simple and delicious recipe that highlights the iconic blue color of Curacao. A Blue Monday should be bright, strong, and taste like oranges.
Ingredients:
- Blue Curacao liqueur
- Triple sec
- Vodka
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon cocktail has the perfect mix of sugar and alcohol that tastes great every time! Lemonade has just the right amount of sweetness and lemon juice flavor to tone down the burn of vodka without taking away from the blue curacao taste.
Garnish with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry for a cocktail that looks (almost) too good to drink!
Ingredients:
- Lemonade
- Vodka
- Blue Curacao
Aqua Velva
This cocktail got its name because the color looks just like Aqua Velva aftershave, which was popular when this drink originated. There are many variations of this recipe that have been shared over the years, but the most important ingredients remain the same.
Ingredients:
- Vodka
- Gin
- Blue Curacao liqueur
- Lemon juice
- Simple syrup
- Soda water
Blue Martini
What makes a classic martini even better? An orange liqueur that has food coloring, of course! Blue martinis are a fun way to shake up one of the most popular cocktails. Check out these 12 beautiful blue martinis to get some inspiration!
Ingredients:
- Vodka
- Blue Curacao
- Sour mix
Is Blue Curacao Alcoholic?
Yes, blue curacao is an alcoholic beverage! The alcoholic content of blue curacao varies depending on the brand, but it’s usually around 25% ABV.
For reference, stronger spirits like whiskey, rum, and vodka are around 40% ABV. A 25% ABV is considered moderately strong.
What Flavor is Blue Curacao?
Blue curacao has the flavor of sweet orange peels with a touch of bitterness. The bitter flavor balances out the sweet orange flavor perfectly.
The final result is a citrusy flavor without being overly sweet.
What’s A Good Blue Curacao Substitute?
Triple Sec is widely believed to be the best substitute for blue curacao. Triple sec has the same signature orange flavor and has a similar level of bitterness. The biggest difference you’ll notice when you substitute blue curacao for a triple sec is the appearance of your drink.
Triple sec is clear, but you can achieve the signature blue curacao color with a few drops of blue food coloring.
No one seeing or tasting the drink will know the orange liqueur was substituted if you don’t tell them!
Where to Buy Blue Curacao
Don’t forget to check back with us so you’ll never miss a new recipe! Learning about the liquor you drink is the best way to get the confidence to grab a cocktail shaker and start creating. There’s no limit to what you could pour in your glass next!
