Name: Blue Hawaiian Drink
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces pineapple juice; 1 ounce Blue Curaçao (optional); 1 ounce coconut rum; 1 ounce cream of coconut

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Refresh and relax with this delicious Blue Hawaiian Drink. With just 5 minutes, some pineapple juice, coconut rum, Blue Curaçao, and optional cream of coconut, you can make a tropical drink that will transport you to sunshine and sandy white beaches. Our Blue Hawaiian is sure to be your new favorite summer sip!

Close up view of a blue hawaiian drink with cherries and pineapple.

Doesn’t this gorgeous turquoise cocktail remind you of tropical ocean waters? Made with coconut rum, tart pineapple juice, and Blue Curaçao, its bright, vibrant colors make the perfect beach drink!

Add some maraschino cherries, a couple of slices of pineapple, and a cute little paper umbrella, and any day turns into a day at the beach.

Did I mention this tropical cocktail only takes 5 minutes to make? Just 5 minutes and you’ll have a fun rum-based drink in your hand!

Looking for another vibrant blue drink to try this summer? Try our Electric Smurf! It’s similar to the Blue Hawaiian but uses lemon-lime soda in place of the cream of coconut.

Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Ingredients:

If you make alcohol-based drinks often, especially the tropical drink variety, then you may already have everything you need. This recipe only requires three simple ingredients with a fourth optional ingredient.

Pineapple Juice: Either canned or bottled pineapple juice will work. We love to buy the little 6-ounce cans that come in a 6-pack and only use what we need. Depending on which you choose, your drink may be more green than blue.
Coconut Rum: Malibu Coconut Rum, Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum, and Wicked Dolphin Coconut Rum are my favorites. There are tons of brands to choose from, so pick your favorite. The sweetness of the cocktail is largely determined by the brand of coconut rum used.
Blue Curaçao: Use a middle-shelf brand of this orange-flavored blue liqueur for the best cocktail.
Cream of Coconut (optional): We use Coco Lopez brand cream of coconut because it’s so easy to locate in supermarkets and liquor stores. There are other brands, so use your favorite. Make sure to purchase cream of coconut and not coconut cream. These are two different products with different uses.

How to Make a Blue Hawaiian Drink:

Scroll to the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full instructions.

Place the pineapple juice, Blue Curaçao, coconut rum, and cream of coconut into a drink shaker or glass jar. Shake to combine.
Pour over ice, and garnish with pineapple wedges and cherries. Enjoy!

Coconut rum and pineapple juice in a jar.

Blue curacao, pineapple juice, coconut rum, and coconut cream in a jar.

Tips for Success:

Tone down the sweetness by using 1 ounce of vodka in place of 1 ounce of coconut rum. You’ll find vodka in many Blue Hawaiian recipes, so it’s a great choice.
The cream of coconut gives this drink of creamy consistency and enhances the coconut flavor. Leave it out if desired.
If using cream of coconut, make sure to mix well. It is heavier than the other ingredients and may sink to the bottom of the glass if it’s not properly combined.
Blue Curaçao gives this drink is signature blueish-green color and orange flavor. Use triple sec as a replacement in a pinch. The drink won’t be blue or quite as sweet, but you’ll still have the orange flavor.
Double, triple, or quadruple the ingredients to make drinks for more than one person. Scale up the ingredients further to make a pitcher for a crowd.

How to Store Your Drink:

Refrigerator: This coconut rum and Blue Curaçao cocktail is best enjoyed immediately over ice. Any leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours. Make sure to remove the ice before storing so your drink doesn’t get watered down.

Cherries and pineapple on top of a glass of blue hawaiian drink.

What Does a Blue Hawaiian Drink Taste Like?

This cocktail tastes sweet and blends the flavors of pineapple juice, coconut rum, Blue Curaçao, and optionally cream of coconut.

It brings together the tartness of the pineapple juice and Blue Curaçao combined with the sweet flavor of coconut rum. The creamy texture of cream of coconut adds an extra layer to this tropical, tiki drink.

Why Is My Blue Hawaiian Green?

Depending on the brand and freshness of pineapple juice you use, your drink may range from a vibrant green to a beautiful blue hue. The color of yellow pineapple juice at the time it mixes with Blue Curaçao determines how much green is in the drink.

When was Blue Hawaiian Drink Originally Made?

The Blue Hawaiian cocktail was first created in 1957 by a bartender named Harry Yee at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The original recipe is believed to be a combination of rum, Blue Curaçao, and pineapple juice. Since its invention, it has become one of the classic tiki cocktails around the world.

What’s the Difference Between Blue Curaçao and Triple Sec?

Blue Curaçao is a liqueur that has been flavored and dyed with the peel of the Laraha citrus fruit. It typically has a blue color, sweet taste, and orange flavor.

Triple sec, on the other hand, is made from an alcohol base of brandy or neutral spirits and flavored with sweet and bitter orange peels. Triple sec is clear in color and it’s less sweet than Blue Curaçao due to its higher alcohol content – around 15-30% ABV (alcohol by volume) compared to Blue Curacao’s 15-20%.

Typically triple sec will have a stronger flavor profile than Blue Curacao as well.

Other Rum Drinks You May Enjoy:

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