Blue Hawaiian
The Blue Hawaiian is a creamy sweet cocktail that features rum, curaçao, pineapple juice and coconut cream. It is very similar to Pina Colada except the Blue Hawaiian is bright blue owing to the blue curaçao. Due to its refreshing, tropical taste, it's affectionately known as a Swimming Pool cocktail.
There is little information as to the origin of the drink, however, it is highly likely that Blue Hawaiian was an adaptation of the Blue Hawaii cocktail.
- Prep Time:
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
- Units: 2
Equipment
- Cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 45 ml light rum
- 22.5 ml blue curaçao
- 22.5 ml coconut cream
- 60 ml pineapple juice
- 1 cocktail umbrella
- 1 pineapple wedge
- 1 maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Add some ice to cocktail shaker. Pour in all the ingredients and shake well until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into your cocktail glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry and a cocktail umbrella.
FAQ
What is in the blue Hawaiian alcoholic drink?
Rum, Coconut cream, pineapple juice and the famous bright blue colour is from blue curaçao – a liqueur flavoured with the dried peel of the laraha, a bitter orange citrus fruit grown on the Dutch island of Curaçao.
How strong is it?
A typical serve (40ml light rum at 40% ABV, plus liqueur, juice, and coconut) comes to about 1.6 alcohol units – lighter than a Mai Tai, but similar to a Piña Colada.
How does it taste compared to a Piña Colada?
It’s very similar, with pineapple and coconut at its core, but the blue curaçao adds a sweet citrus twist and the drink has a flashier presentation. If the Piña Colada is creamy and classic, the Blue Hawaiian is its more playful, neon sibling.
What glass is it served in?
Traditionally in a hurricane glass packed with crushed ice, garnished with pineapple, cherry, and sometimes even a cocktail umbrella.
When was it created?
The Blue Hawaiian was invented in 1957 by Harry Yee, a bartender at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, as a way to showcase the newly popular blue curaçao.
Which other cocktails are similar?
If you enjoy the Blue Hawaiian, you’ll likely love the Blue Lagoon for its curaçao kick, the creamy Chi Chi for its vodka twist, and of course the Piña Colada for the classic pineapple-coconut combo.