Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe

I love making drinks that feel like a mini vacation. The Blue Hawaiian is honestly one of my favorites.

This tropical cocktail mixes rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut for a smooth, fruity drink with a bright blue color. It’s simple to make—perfect for relaxing on a warm day or adding a splash of color to a party.

When I make a Blue Hawaiian, I get a balance of sweetness, citrus, and creamy texture in every sip. The pineapple juice gives it a fresh, tropical taste.

Blue curaçao adds both flavor and that signature, almost electric, blue. It’s an easy drink to prepare, and you don’t need any complicated tools or hard-to-find ingredients.

I’ll walk you through exactly what you need and how to mix it. You’ll know what to expect in taste so you can enjoy it anytime.

Blue Hawaiian Cocktail Recipe

I make this tropical drink when I want something fruity, colorful, and refreshing. The mix of pineapple, coconut, and rum gives it a smooth, sweet taste with a hint of citrus from the blue curaçao.

It’s best served cold in a tall glass. Fresh fruit garnish just makes it look even more inviting.

Equipment

To prepare this drink, I keep my tools simple but effective.

• Cocktail shaker – for mixing and chilling the drink evenly
• Jigger or measuring cup – to measure liquids accurately
• Bar spoon – for gentle stirring when needed
• Hurricane glass – for an authentic presentation
• Small knife – to cut pineapple slices or wedges
• Cutting board – for safe fruit preparation
• Ice scoop – to add ice without melting it too quickly

I find that using a shaker with a tight seal helps blend the cream of coconut smoothly with the juices and spirits. A hurricane glass not only looks nice but also holds enough ice to keep the drink cool longer.

Ingredients

I like to use fresh and good-quality ingredients for the best flavor.

• 1 1/2 oz light rum or white rum
• 1 oz blue curaçao
• 1 oz cream of coconut or coconut cream
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 cup ice (crushed or cubed)
• Pineapple slice or pineapple wedge for garnish
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

If I want a stronger coconut flavor, I sometimes use coconut rum instead of light rum. Fresh pineapple juice makes the drink brighter and less sweet than canned juice.

Instructions

I follow these steps to make a smooth and well-mixed Blue Hawaiian.

• Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
• Pour in the light rum, blue curaçao, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice.
• Secure the lid and shake firmly for about 15 seconds.
• Fill a hurricane glass with fresh ice.
• Strain the cocktail into the glass.
• Garnish with a pineapple slice or wedge and a maraschino cherry.

Shaking is important because it chills the drink and blends the cream of coconut evenly. You don’t want it separating in the glass—trust me, it’s not as pretty.

Notes

I prefer crushed ice for a softer texture. Cubed ice melts slower and keeps the drink cold longer, though, so it’s a bit of a toss-up.

If the drink tastes too sweet, I add a splash of extra pineapple juice for balance. For a creamier texture, I sometimes replace part of the cream of coconut with coconut milk.

I also like to chill the hurricane glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving. This keeps the drink cold without needing too much ice.

Tasting Notes

When I take my first sip of a Blue Hawaiian, the bright blue color catches my eye before anything else. It’s striking—kind of like staring at a calm tropical ocean, or at least what I imagine one would look like.

The flavor? It’s a blend of sweet pineapple and smooth coconut. There’s a light citrus zing from the blue curaçao that sneaks in.

I taste the rum, but honestly, it doesn’t try to steal the show; it just hangs out with the other flavors.

The drink feels creamy yet refreshing. Coconut cream gives it a soft, almost lush texture.

Pineapple juice keeps things light, so I never feel weighed down, even on a warm day.

I found out that Harry Yee, a bartender at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, came up with this cocktail. That little bit of trivia makes me like its tropical style even more, for some reason.

Here’s how I’d sum up the main impressions:

• Appearance: Vivid blue, usually served over ice in a tall glass
• Aroma: Sweet pineapple with a little citrus peeking through
• Taste: Fruit, coconut, and just a touch of rum warmth—nicely balanced
• Mouthfeel: Smooth, a bit creamy, and definitely cool

Every time I make one, those flavors just stick around from the first sip to the last. It’s one of those drinks you can take your time with and really enjoy.