Need a vacation? Try one of these Blue Hawaii Cocktails and pretend you’re lying on a tropical beach, even if you’re in your own backyard!
Last week I mentioned my daughter was making a cocktail for a baby shower and the blueberry mojito I made earlier simply wasn’t blue enough. I took advice from my friend Karen, a former bartender, and from some online searching and landed on the perfect choice for the event: the Blue Hawaii.
Not to be confused with the Blue Hawaiian, which includes coconut milk, the Blue Hawaii is bright, pretty and refreshing—exactly what Emily wanted. I was unsure about Blue Curaçao at first, but after blending and sipping the drink, I enjoyed it. Yes, it’s on the sweet side and a little whimsical, but for a baby shower it felt just right.
The Blue Hawaii was invented in 1957 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village bar when their bartender was asked by a sales representative for the Dutch distiller to create a cocktail using Blue Curaçao. Today’s versions vary, but the signature blue hue, pineapple flavor and a festive garnish remain the hallmarks.
We followed the original recipe as a base, then made a few adjustments. Emily wanted a lighter cocktail since guests would be driving to the shower, so she omitted the vodka. She also found Cruzan coconut-flavored rum and used that instead of plain white rum—an ideal match for a tropical drink.
Colleen and her husband Ryan had been waiting to welcome a baby for a long time, and the news arrived while they were on vacation in Hawaii. The timing made the Hawaiian-themed shower extra meaningful, so the Blue Hawaii cocktail was perfect for the celebration: blue, tropical and aptly named.
I considered making a homemade sweet and sour mix, but Emily found a good ready-made product with natural ingredients and decided to use it. For a party like a baby shower, convenience matters, and a quality premade mix saved time without sacrificing flavor. I’ve included a homemade sweet and sour recipe in the notes for anyone who prefers to make it from scratch.
For the photos I used Emily’s patio and her corgi, Ginny, wandered into the shoot. She wasn’t an assistant—just an enthusiastic underfoot companion who earned a maraschino cherry for being cute and persistent. Congratulations to the new parents and welcome to their adorable baby!
PIN ‘Blue Hawaii Cocktail’
Blue Hawaii Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz rum (we loved coconut rum)
- 1 oz vodka (optional — omitted for lighter cocktails)
- 1 oz Blue Curaçao
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz sweet and sour (store-bought or homemade — see notes)
- Fresh pineapple cubes and maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients except the garnish together and refrigerate for at least one hour to chill and let flavors meld.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour the cocktail mixture into the glasses and garnish with pineapple cubes 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 water and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, then stir in lemon and lime juices. Refrigerate up to one week or freeze for later use.
If you choose to omit the vodka to lighten the drink, reduce the pineapple juice to 2 ounces to keep the balance of flavors.