The Blue Lagoon – The essence of the Caribbean
The Blue Lagoon reminds of the salty sea breeze, warm sun, and the crystal clear water of the tropics. The refreshing taste of this turquoise cocktail makes you dream about summer.
The perfect summer cocktail to enjoy not only on the beach but also on your terrace. The popular classic, with vodka and Blue Curaçao, is a must on any cocktail menu.
Where does the Blue Lagoon come from?
This cocktail was created in Paris in 1972 by the American bartender Andy MacElhone. The bar “Harry’s New York Bar” belonged to the bar scene legend Harry MacElhone, Andy’s father. Who created classics like the “White Lady” or “Side Car”.
The Blue Curaçao liqueur gained popularity in the 1960s. The focus of the bars was less on classic cocktails, and more set on striking colors and tropical flavors.
The Blue Curaçao gives the Blue Lagoon its beautiful blue color. This liqueur was also the first ingredient to turn a cocktail blue. The tropical mix took bars by storm and is also the reason behind the name of the 1980 film “The Blue Lagoon”.
Another story says that the French painter Paul Gauguin created the cocktail in Haiti. He is said to have mixed alcoholic beverages until he discovered a beautiful light blue color.
This drink is a wonderful thirst quencher on hot days. It’s liked by many thanks to its fruity-sweet flavor, and its deep blue color is a real eye-catcher.
The Blue Lagoon
Equipment
- long drink glass
- shaker
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 4 cl vodka
- 2 cl Blue Curaçao
- 1 cl lemon juice
- lemonade to fill up the glass
- some ice cubes
- 1 slice lemon for garnishing optional
Preparation
- Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Then measure out the vodka, Blue Curaçao and lemon juice with the jigger and add to the shaker.
- Shake until it is nice and cold. There might be some condensation on the outside.
- Add a few ice cubes to the glass and pour in the contents of the shaker. Use the strainer to prevent the ice cubes from falling out of the shaker.
- Then fill the glass with lemonade and garnish the rim with a slice of lemon.
Nutrition
Tips for the perfect Blue Lagoon
You can buy a lemonade like Sprite or Seven-Up. If you want it more natural, you can also make the lemonade yourself. If you do, it’s recommended to only add a shot of it and fill up the rest of the glass with soda water.
To make the cocktail ready for a beach or pool party, simply garnish it with a Maraschino cherry and a mini umbrella.
Can I use another alcohol instead of vodka?
Vodka is flavorless and does not stand out in this tropical cocktail. You can also experiment with gin, but it should be noted that the drink will become more bitter.
What else can I use instead of Blue Curaçao?
The Blue Curaçao is the most important ingredient of this cocktail. Originally, it is this variation of the orange liqueur that gives this cocktail its mild sweetness. It shouldn’t be replaced by Blue Curaçao syrup, as the cocktail will become too sweet and flat.
What else can I use instead of lemonade?
If you want to have a more tropical and sweeter flavor, simply use pineapple juice instead of lemonade. With that, you already made a Caribbean Blue. The combination of pineapple and grapefruit juice results in the cocktail Blue Jeans.
Leon is a food blogger, nutritionist, and passionate cocktail nerd. He loves trying out new cocktails and sharing his creations. Jonas is also one of the founders and part of the editorial team of Alcipedia.com.