Epic Guide to Blue Curacao Drinks, including bright blue martinis, cocktails, and shots! All of our favorite Blue Curacao Recipes and info on how to store and use this great orange liqueur.
Blue curaçao is iconic for infusing cocktails with the perfect blend of citrusy sweetness and electric ocean hues. Set sail and learn more about this blue-tinted orange liqueur.
From Classic Cocktails to blue distinctive drinks with island flavor we have a ton of drinks with Blue Curacao!
What Is Blue Curaçao?
Blue curaçao is a pot-distilled liqueur made from dried Laraha orange peels sometimes known as Lahara fruit. It gets its distinctive color from blue food coloring.
The orange liqueur dates back to 19th century Curaçao, the Caribbean island where Dutch settlers invented it using the native Laraha citrus fruit. While curaçao has been produced in other colors, such as red and green, blue remains the most sought-after colored variety.
The essence of this liqueur is the curacao fruit/extracts of oranges.
Is Blue Curaçao Alcoholic?
Blue curaçao is alcoholic. Its base spirit contains vodka and gin.
Average ABV (Alcohol by volume) is 20-40%. DeKuyper Blue Curacao liqueur is 24% ABV.
You can buy Blue Curacao syrup which is non-alcoholic on Amazon
What Does Blue Curaçao Taste Like?
Like triple sec, blue curaçao has a strong orange flavor. However, it is slightly more bitter and lacks the signature syrupy sweetness of triple sec.
Is Blue Curaçao Sweet?
Blue curaçao tastes mostly of sweet oranges with a slightly bitter finish.
Why Is Curaçao Blue?
Blue curaçao gets its unique color from blue food coloring.
FD&C Blue No. 1, or Brilliant Blue, is the artificial coloring used in commercially available blue curaçao.
Blue hibiscus, butterfly pea flower, and indigo are some natural food colorings also used in blue curaçao. They are used less frequently since they do not last as long as artificial dyes.
How to Pronounce Blue Curaçao
The name “curaçao” has Portuguese roots. Curaçao begins with a hard “C,” and the “ç” is pronounced as an “S.” Together, blue curaçao is pronounced as blue “Cure-ah-souw.”
Where to Buy Blue Curaçao
Blue curaçao can be purchased anywhere liquor is sold, including your local grocer or liquor store.
Where Is Blue Curaçao in the Liquor Store?
Blue curaçao can be found next to the drink mixers in any liquor aisle.
How Much Is Blue Curaçao?
Bottom-shelf blue curaçao can cost as little as $10 or under, whereas premium brands retail as high as $35 a bottle.
How to Store Blue Curaçao
Blue curaçao should always be kept in a cool and dry place away from heat and sunlight. The liqueur will oxidize as soon as it is opened, causing its flavor and aroma to degrade. Heat and direct sunlight can also crystallize the sugars in the alcohol.
Does Blue Curaçao Need to Be Refrigerated?
Blue curaçao keeps well in a room-temperature environment. It does not need to be refrigerated or kept in the freezer, even when opened.
Does Blue Curaçao Go Bad?
Unopened blue curaçao has an indefinite shelf life. While blue curaçao does not spoil in a food safety sense, its quality will naturally degrade over time. Fruit-flavored liqueurs kept in an airtight container will remain drinkable for two to three years after opening.
Is Blue Curaçao Gluten-Free?
Like triple sec, blue curaçao is gluten-free. The main ingredients in the orange liqueur are dried orange peels, sugar beets, alcohol, and blue food-safe dye, none of which contain wheat.
Is Blue Curaçao Vegan?
Blue curaçao is vegan. None of its core ingredients contain animal products.
Is Blue Curaçao the Same As Triple Sec?
Blue curaçao is triple sec that has been colored blue with the help of artificial or natural food dyes. Since its purpose is to add color to drinks, it has slightly lesser alcohol than its clear-colored counterpart.
Is Blue Curaçao the Same As Orange Curaçao?
Yes! Orange curaçao is blue curaçao that has not been dyed blue.
Blue Curaçao Substitute
While no direct substitutes capture the flavor and color of blue curaçao, blue food dye can be added for the same bright pop. Here are the best replacements for blue curaçao.
Orange Curaçao
Orange curaçao is the most natural replacement for blue curaçao. After all, it is simply the colorless version of the azure-tinted orange liqueur. Opt for the colorless variety if you plan to use it in a blue beverage, as some orange curaçao may come in shades of yellow or orange.
Triple Sec
Triple sec is another viable substitute for its zesty orange flavor and sweetness that lends well to many mixed drinks. Some varieties of triple sec contain more alcohol than blue curaçao, so swap at a slightly lesser ratio and adjust to taste.
Cointreau
Cointreau is the premium cousin of triple sec, making it our third and final blue curaçao substitute. Keep in mind that while the French orange liqueur still has the balanced citrusy sweetness of curaçao, its warm spice notes may clash with some fruity recipes requiring blue curaçao. Cointreau should also be used with care in any swap, as it has a high ABV of 40 percent.
Can You Drink Blue Curaçao Straight?
While blue curaçao has traditionally found a home in mixed drinks, it is palatable enough to be consumed neat or on the rocks.
Blue Curaçao Drinks
Here is an epic list of blue Curaçao drinks you’ll want to try today.
Sea Blue Martini
Ingredients: Absolut Citron, Blue Curaçao, Lemonade, Sprite
Sail the smooth, blue curaçao-colored seas of the Sea Blue Martini.
Blue Shark Cocktail
Ingredients: Vodka, Tequila, Blue Curaçao
This boozy three-ingredient cocktail is a surefire hit at your next tiki party or pool party.
Easy Blue Mule Cocktail
Ingredients: Blue Curaçao, Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer
This blue curaçao-infused mule will leave you feeling anything but blue.
Blue Margarita
Ingredients: Tequila, Blue Curaçao, Frozen Lemonade Mix, Simple Syrup, Lime for Garnish
This Blue Margarita is a summer party in a glass. How can you go wrong with a bright blue margarita!
Red, White, and Blue Cocktail
Ingredients: Grenadine, Lemonade, Vodka, Blue Curaçao
The Red, White, and Blue Drink is the party-sized version of our Patriotic Shot.
Rainbow Cocktail
Ingredients: Grenadine, Collins Mix, Vodka, Blue Curaçao, Crushed Ice
This boozy cocktail can be your rainbow on any day you need a pick-me-up. Perfect for Mardi Gras Parties!
Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
Ingredients: Malibu Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao, Pineapple Juice
The tropical Blue Hawaii cocktail will leave you dreaming of the Big Island’s blissful, sand-filled shores.
Electric Lemonade
Ingredients: Vodka, Blue Curaçao, Lemonade, Sprite, Lemon and Lime Slice Garnish
This fluorescent summer cooler can easily be prepared pitcher-style to serve a crowd.
Seven Seas Martini
Ingredients: Bacardi Limón Rum, Patrón Citronage Orange Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, White Cranberry Juice, Blue Curaçao
The Seven Seas Martini is a staple at the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse on Carnival Cruise Ships.
Sex in the Driveway Cocktail
Ingredients: Peach Schnapps, Blue Curaçao, Vodka, Sprite
The Sex in the Driveway cocktail is our blue curacao-fueled twist on the popular Sex on the Beach cocktail.
This cocktail is also featured in our drinks with funny names collection.
Blue Lagoon Cocktail
Ingredients: Blue Curaçao, Lemonade, Vodka, Ice, garnish with a lemon wheel
Garnish this summer cocktail with a maraschino cherry and a lemon slice for a simple yet polished look.
Seattle Football-Inspired Hawk-A-Rita Cocktail
Ingredients: Smirnoff Ice Original, Tequila, Blue Curaçao, Ice
The simple and colorful Hawk-A-Rita is a must-have for any Seattle football tailgating event.
Blue Agave Margarita
Ingredients: Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, Blue Curaçao; Sweet and Sour Mix
Let this blue agave margarita add a pop of color and booze to your day.
Copy Cat Chili’s Jamaican Paradise
Ingredients: Malibu Coconut Rum, Tequila, Midori, Blue Curaçao, Sweet and Sour, Lime Juice
This rum-based copycat cocktail gets its unique colors from Midori and blue curacao.
Fuzzy Leprechaun Cocktail
Ingredients: Peach Schnapps, Blue Curaçao, Vodka, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice
The Fuzzy Leprechaun is a peach-orange pineapple cocktail that is dangerously easy to drink. This is one of our favorite St. Patrick's Day Cocktails!
4th of July Shot
Ingredients: Grenadine, Blue Curaçao, Vodka
Grenadine, vodka, and blue Curaçao combine to make this Fourth of July-inspired shot.
Alien Brain Hemorrhage Shot
Ingredients: Peach Schnapps, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Grenadine, Blue Liqueur Curaçao
Blue Curaçao turns our Brain Hemorrhage Shot into a colorful and visually-pleasing shot. This is one of our favorite Halloween Cocktails!
Liquid Marijuana Shot
Ingredients: Spiced Rum, Midori, Blue Curaçao, Malibu Coconut Rum, Sweet and Sour, Pineapple Juice
This boozy four-liquor shot can easily be upsized into cocktail form. The perfect bright green cocktail.
Blue Balls Shot
Easy Blue Balls Shot recipe is a fun party cocktail! This bright blue cocktail shot has a hint of coconut, peach, and orange flavor.
Favorite Cocktail Tools
If you are building out your home bar here are some of our favorite cocktail tools.
Ice Cube maker - This ice cube maker produces the most amazing cubes of ice perfect for cocktails. It easily fits in the freezer and you can make up to 3 trays of round ball ice at a time.
2 ounce shot glasses - We love these 2 oz shot glasses especially for layered shots.
Bar Spoon - Bar spoons help to create layers in the cocktail shot. They fit perfectly into the cocktail shot glass.
Cocktail Shaker – This cocktail shaker comes with a fantastic set of tools
Stemless Martini Glasses - These stemless martini glasses are fantastic.
Martini Glass - We like the look of the classic martini glass
OXO angled jiggers - these are our go-to measuring tools for cocktails. They work perfectly for pouring in layers for cocktails.
Copper Mule Mugs - Copper Mule Mugs are the classic way to serve Moscow Mules. The copper mugs keep them nice and cold and look amazing. Check out all of our mule variations.
Cute Coffee Mugs - We really like the clear insulated coffee mugs that show off how epic your drink looks.
Sharp Knife - to cut lime wedge and lemon wheels.
Epic Cocktail Guides
Kahlua Coffee Liqueur - Learn everything you have ever wanted to know about this great coffee flavored mixer.
Bailey's Irish Cream - Learn more about this world-famous Irish Cream Liqueur
RumChata Cream Liqueur - Check out this rum based cream liqueur that makes an epic mixed drink.
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey - Spice up your cocktails with this great cinnamon flavored whiskey.
Malibu Coconut Rum - Check out coconut rum flavored mixer that makes epic tropical cocktails.
Vodka Cocktails - Check out all of our easy vodka cocktails.
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.
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