The Statue of Liberty Libation Cocktail is one of those drinks that just feels right for an American celebration. It’s got sweet and tart flavors, plus this bold, almost electric blue color that really nods to Lady Liberty herself.

The recipe’s surprisingly simple—just four ingredients: blue curaçao, lemonade, vodka, and a splash of grenadine for that sunset vibe.

Honestly, it’s perfect for the Fourth of July or any gathering with a bit of red, white, and blue spirit. The blue curaçao is meant to echo the sky behind the statue, and the grenadine? It creates this gorgeous color fade that looks just like a New York sunset if you squint.

This one’s a breeze to whip up—less than five minutes, tops. It works for a crowd or just a couple of friends if you want something a bit more low-key.

Statue of Liberty Libation Cocktail Recipe

Here’s a cocktail that’s as patriotic as it gets, with those classic layers of red, white, and blue. Fruity, refreshing, and honestly, it just looks fun in the glass.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Tall clear glass (Collins or hurricane works best)

Jigger or some kind of measuring tool
Long-handled bar spoon
Cocktail strainer

Small spoon or even just the back of a regular spoon for layering
Ice cube tray
Blender (if you’re into crushed ice)

Cutting board and knife (for the fruit garnish—optional but fun)

Ingredients

Base Layer (Blue):

1 oz blue curaçao
1 oz vodka

½ oz fresh lemon juice
Club soda

Middle Layer (White):

1 oz coconut rum

1 oz cream of coconut
½ oz simple syrup

Top Layer (Red):

1 oz grenadine

1 oz strawberry puree or syrup
½ oz cranberry juice

Garnish:

Star-shaped pineapple slice

Maraschino cherry
Fresh mint sprig

Instructions

Blue layer first: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in blue curaçao, vodka, and lemon juice. Top off with a little club soda, then give it a gentle stir.

White layer next: Mix up coconut rum, cream of coconut, and simple syrup somewhere else. Pour it slowly over the back of a spoon so it sits right on top of the blue layer.
Red layer on top: Stir together grenadine, strawberry puree, and cranberry juice. Again, go slow—pour over the back of a spoon to float it as the final layer.
Garnish: Stick a star-shaped pineapple slice on the rim. Drop a cherry and a little mint on top for the finishing touch.

Take your time with the layers—seriously, slow pouring is the trick if you want those colors to pop instead of mixing into a weird purple.

Notes

This drink clocks in at about 3 oz of alcohol—pretty standard stuff. You can make it booze-free if you swap in blue fruit syrup for the curaçao, coconut cream for the rum, and just bump up the juices.

Layering works because the ingredients have different sugar levels and densities, so heavier stuff sinks. Always pour over ice and use a spoon if you want those crisp lines between colors. Not gonna lie, it’s a bit finicky, but worth it.

Honestly, this is a crowd-pleaser at any American-themed bash. The recipe is written for one, but if you’re hosting, just mix each layer in its own pitcher and assemble to order.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

Now, the Statue of Liberty Libation is bright and refreshing. It walks the line between sweet and tart, and the color’s this wild copper-gold—kind of like the statue’s weathered look, if you think about it.

First sip? You’ll probably notice the apple brandy’s warmth and those gentle fruit notes. The applejack gives it some backbone, a hint of woodiness that keeps it from being all sugar.

Lemon juice brings in a sharp tang, just enough to cut through the sweetness. The maple syrup’s there too, adding a touch of richness without overpowering things.

Flavor Profile:

First taste: Sweet apple, a little brandy warmth
Middle: Maple, bright citrus
Finish: Clean, just a bit spicy, cinnamon lingers

The cinnamon garnish isn’t just for looks—it really does add a nice aroma. Pairs so well with the apple, and gives the drink a little extra depth.

Temperature’s huge here. If it’s properly chilled, the flavors stay sharp and the drink doesn’t get watery.

The mouthfeel is smooth, maybe even a little silky from the maple syrup. It’s got some weight, but it won’t knock you out.

If you’re thinking about snacks, try it with aged cheeses, spiced nuts, apple or pear desserts, or a solid charcuterie board with some mustard on the side.

Substitute

If you don’t have all the ingredients for the Statue of Liberty Libation cocktail, it’s honestly not the end of the world. You can make some simple swaps and still get pretty close to the spirit of the drink.

For the base spirit, just about any decent vodka will do. Smirnoff, Absolut, or Tito’s—pick your favorite, or whatever’s in the freezer.

Blue curaçao is what gives that iconic color. Can’t find it? Try mixing white curaçao or triple sec with a few drops of blue food coloring. Not perfect, but it works in a pinch.

Spirit Substitutions:

Premium vodka → Standard vodka

Blue curaçao → Triple sec + blue food coloring

Fresh lemon juice is hard to beat, but if you must, bottled lemon juice will do. Simple syrup is easy—just stir equal parts sugar and hot water until it dissolves. No need to overthink it.

For garnishes, any citrus wheel is fair game. Orange or lime works if you’re out of lemon, and honestly, it’s fun to mix it up sometimes.

Going non-alcoholic? Lemon-lime soda stands in for vodka, and blue sports drinks or blue berry syrup can mimic that blue curaçao vibe.

Non-Alcoholic Version:

Lemon-lime soda (base)

Blue berry syrup or blue sports drink
Fresh lemon juice
Sparkling water (for fizz)

Statue of Liberty Libation Cocktail Recipe