Blue Hawaiian: A Tropical Daydream Dipped in Ocean Hues

The Blue Hawaiian is as much a visual delight as it is a tropical treat—a dazzling, turquoise-hued cocktail that feels like a beach vacation captured in a glass. It’s a fruity, creamy, and slightly tangy drink made to transport you to swaying palms and warm ocean breezes with just one sip. If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping a cocktail in a pineapple-shaped glass under a tiki umbrella, this is your drink.

Often mistaken for the Blue Lagoon, the Blue Hawaiian sets itself apart by adding cream of coconut, giving it that rich, almost piña colada–like body. But don’t let its electric blue color fool you—this cocktail is well-balanced, packing notes of pineapple, citrus, coconut, and rum in every refreshing mouthful.

I first tried a Blue Hawaiian at a retro-themed tiki bar, where it arrived in a coconut shell glass topped with a paper umbrella and a playful orchid. It was cold, creamy, and tropical, but surprisingly not overly sweet—a true summer escape in cocktail form.

Let’s explore this island-inspired classic that combines tiki indulgence with pure poolside flair.

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Quick Facts: Blue Hawaiian Cocktail

Method: shaken or blended
Flavor profile: fruity, creamy, slightly tart
How to serve it: over crushed ice or frozen
Glassware: hurricane glass or tiki mug
Alcohol content: ~13–15% ABV, ~17 grams of alcohol per serving

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Ingredients

• 1½ oz light rum
• ¾ oz blue curaçao
• 1 oz cream of coconut (e.g., Coco Lopez)
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• ½ oz fresh lime juice (optional for brightness)
• Ice (crushed or cubes for blending)
• Garnish: pineapple wedge, cherry, cocktail umbrella

The heart of the Blue Hawaiian lies in its tropical blend of rum, pineapple, and coconut, brought to life by the electric blue of blue curaçao. This liqueur not only delivers a hint of citrusy orange flavor but also gives the drink its signature sea-blue color.

Cream of coconut is what sets this apart from other blue cocktails—it adds creaminess and a luscious mouthfeel. Be sure to use sweetened cream of coconut, not coconut milk or cream, for the best texture and taste.

Lime juice is optional, but a splash helps balance the sweetness with acidity, giving the drink a more dynamic edge.

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Equipment Needed

• Cocktail shaker or blender
• Jigger
• Citrus juicer
• Bar spoon
• Hurricane glass, tiki mug, or other tall decorative glass
• Ice scoop
• Strainer (if shaking)

If you’re going for the classic shaken version, a good hard shake helps emulsify the cream of coconut for that smooth finish. If you prefer it frozen, a blender turns it into a slushy tropical dream.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Shaken Version (Classic):

1. Prepare your shaker.
Add ice to your shaker.

2. Add ingredients.
Pour in:

• 1½ oz light rum
• ¾ oz blue curaçao
• 1 oz cream of coconut
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• ½ oz lime juice (optional)

3. Shake well.
Shake for 15–20 seconds until frothy and chilled.

4. Strain into glass.
Pour over crushed ice in a hurricane glass or tiki mug.

5. Garnish.
Top with a pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, and paper umbrella for full island flair.

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Blended Version (Frozen):

1. Add ingredients to blender.
Combine all ingredients with 1–1½ cups of ice.

2. Blend until smooth.
You want a slushy, thick consistency.

3. Pour and garnish.
Serve in a large glass with the same garnishes—pineapple, cherry, and umbrella.

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Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The Blue Hawaiian is a creamy, fruity cocktail that’s sweet but well-balanced. The pineapple juice brings a tangy brightness, the cream of coconut adds rich body and tropical sweetness, and the blue curaçao lends citrus notes and an unmistakable island color.

Expect flavors of:

• Pineapple and orange up front
• A silky coconut finish
• A smooth, slightly tart backbone from the lime (if added)
• Subtle rum warmth throughout

It’s similar to a piña colada, but lighter and more citrus-forward. As the ice melts, it softens further, making it an easy, endlessly sippable drink.

Pairs perfectly with:

• Hawaiian pizza
• Coconut shrimp
• Grilled pineapple skewers
• Spicy poke bowls
• Macadamia nut cookies or key lime pie

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Garnishing and Presentation

The Blue Hawaiian practically demands a festive presentation. Its vibrant color makes it a showpiece on any tiki tray, and with the right garnish, it becomes a visual tropical paradise.

Garnish ideas:

• Pineapple wedge or spear
• Maraschino cherry or Luxardo cherry
• Cocktail umbrella or tiki stirrer
• Edible orchid for a luxe touch
• A pineapple leaf tucked into the side of the glass

Use a tall hurricane glass or tiki mug to fully showcase the drink’s color and creamy texture. Crushed ice helps chill the drink evenly, while a frozen version should be served with a thick straw.

Optional upgrade: rim the glass with toasted coconut flakes for added texture and flair.

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Pairing Suggestions

The creamy-citrus character of the Blue Hawaiian makes it ideal for pairing with spicy, salty, or fruit-forward dishes.

Savory pairings:

• Teriyaki chicken or pork sliders
• Grilled fish tacos with pineapple salsa
• Tropical rice bowls with spicy shrimp
• Sweet and sour chicken or tofu

Sweet pairings:

• Coconut cake or macaroons
• Pineapple upside-down cake
• Mango sorbet or coconut ice cream
• Lime tart or citrus cheesecake

It also works well as a standalone dessert cocktail, especially when blended.

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Cocktail History and Trivia

The Blue Hawaiian was invented in the 1950s by Harry Yee, a bartender at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. He created the drink at the request of a sales rep for blue curaçao, who wanted a cocktail that featured their liqueur.

Yee combined the popular ingredients of the era—rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut—and added blue curaçao for both flavor and visual appeal. The result was a drink that immediately evoked images of ocean waves, island breezes, and sunny afternoons.

Though sometimes confused with the Blue Lagoon (which uses vodka and no coconut), the Blue Hawaiian is unmistakably richer and creamier, firmly rooted in tiki cocktail tradition.

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Serving Suggestions

The Blue Hawaiian is perfect for:

• Beach parties and luaus
• Summer BBQs and pool parties
• Tiki-themed dinners or bar nights
• Brunches with tropical flair
• Any occasion where visual impact counts

You can easily batch it for a crowd by scaling up the ingredients in a blender or punch bowl, then blending individual servings with ice. Be sure to garnish each glass to maintain the festive look.

Serve cold, with a heaping mound of crushed ice or fully blended for a frozen version.

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Alcohol Content and Alternatives

With a mix of rum and curaçao, the Blue Hawaiian averages around 13–15% ABV—not too strong, but stronger than it tastes.

To reduce the alcohol:

• Use 1 oz of rum instead of 1½ oz
• Skip or reduce the blue curaçao
• Add extra pineapple juice or a splash of soda water

Mocktail version:

• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz cream of coconut
• ½ oz lime juice
• ½ oz orange juice
• A drop of blue food coloring or non-alcoholic blue syrup
  Blend or shake and serve the same way, garnished just as playfully.

Variations to try:

• Use vodka instead of rum for a sharper edge
• Add a float of dark rum for tiki flair
• Blend with crushed ice and vanilla ice cream for a boozy milkshake vibe

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it the same as a Blue Lagoon?
No—Blue Lagoon uses vodka and lemon juice, while Blue Hawaiian has rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. The latter is creamier and more tropical.

Can I use coconut milk instead of cream of coconut?
Not recommended. Cream of coconut is sweetened and much thicker—coconut milk won’t give the same texture or flavor.

Is this drink very sweet?
It is sweet, but not overpowering. Adding lime juice or reducing the cream of coconut can help balance it.

Can I blend it with ice cream?
Absolutely! That creates a rich, milkshake-like tropical dessert. Great for extra-indulgent variations.

How do I make it less rich?
Use less cream of coconut, more juice, and a splash of lime to cut the richness.

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Conclusion

The Blue Hawaiian is a celebration of the tropics, both in flavor and appearance. Creamy, fruity, and dressed to impress, it’s a drink that brings vacation vibes to any occasion—whether you’re at a tiki bar or your own backyard luau. With its irresistible mix of rum, coconut, and citrus, this is a cocktail that turns any moment into a holiday.