Epic Guide to Blue Curacao Drinks

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 Curaça

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.

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.

Favorite Cocktail Tools

Ice Cube maker - This ice cubes 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 to stir your favorite cocktails.

Cocktail Shaker – This cocktail shaker comes with a fantastic set of tools. Perfect for when you need to shake a drink to chill it.

Stemless Martini Glasses - These stemless martini glasses are fantastic especially if you are throwing a party and don't want the glasses to be easily knocked over.

Martini Glass - We like the look of this classic martini glass

Jell-O Shot Cups - We suggest using two-ounce Jell-O shot cups.

Copper Mug - Perfect for Moscow Mule Cocktails.

High Ball Glasses

OXO angled jiggers - these are our go-to measuring tools for cocktails. They work perfectly for pouring in layers for cocktails.

Margarita Glasses - We like the look of classic margarita glasses but you can use any glass for this great cocktail.

Champagne glass

Highball Glass - This cocktail glass is used for a ton of blue curacao cocktails.

Hurricane Glass - For a truly tropical look serve this drink in a hurricane glass.

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.

Old Fashion Glass/Rocks Glass

Sharp knife - You want a knife that is sharp enough to cut a lemon or lime wedge cleanly.

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.

Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.

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