Frequently asked questions
The most common version of a Blue Lagoon uses lemonade, but we prefer it with fresh citrus. We’ve made what we think is an even better version of this tasty drink with lemon juice and simple syrup! It’s easy to mix up and makes a stunning sweet tart drink. Some versions of the drink use lime or lemon lime soda and some are blended with ice. This version sticks to what’s become the classic definition: but we like to substitute fresh citrus for purchased lemonade. Here’s what you’ll need:
Vodka Blue curacao Lemon juice Simple syrup
Blue curacao is an artificially-colored orange liqueur invented by Dutch settlers on the island of Curaçao. There are several colors of Curaçao: the most popular today are clear and blue. Blue curacao has been sold since 1912. It’s flavored with the Laraha orange peel, a type of orange that grows on the island. How to pronounce Curaçao? Say it Cure-ah-souw. What does blue curacao taste like? It has a sweet orange peel flavor, with subtle bitter finish. How much does it cost? Blue curacao is inexpensive; a 750 ml bottle costs about $10. Try to buy a mid-range bottle; we like Drillaud brand (avoid DeKuyper). What else can you use it for? Mix up with tequila for a Blue Margarita, with rum for the Blue Hawaii, or gin and vodka for the Aqua Velva or Blue Long Island. In fact, we think these drinks are more interesting than the Blue Lagoon!
Crush some ice: head to How to Crush Ice for our best method. Shake together the vodka, blue curacao, lemon juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with a few handfuls ice. Strain it into a hurricane glass or a highball glass. The drink umbrella is optional, but fun!
Use lime instead of lemon Use purchased lemonade instead of lemon juice Add a few dashes of bitters Add a bit of pineapple juice for a hint of tropical (it will alter the color to be a little more like the Blue Hawaii)
5 from 1 review **Variation: Substitute 4 ounces (½ cup) lemonade
