Blue Hawaiian Cocktail

If you’ve ever sipped something tropical and instantly felt like you were on vacation—this is that drink. The Blue Hawaiian Cocktail is a creamy, citrusy, and wildly refreshing blend of coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and lime. With its vibrant turquoise hue and smooth, dreamy texture, it’s the kind of cocktail that feels like sunshine in a glass.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a summer gathering, or just needing a little escape on a Tuesday, this cocktail brings instant island vibes. It’s festive, fruity, and just the right balance of sweet and tart. Bonus: it’s incredibly easy to make and even easier to drink.

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Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz coconut rum
• 1 oz blue curaçao
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz coconut cream
• ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice cubes
• Pineapple wedge & maraschino cherry (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep your shaker:
   Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice.
2. Add the good stuff:
   Pour in the coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, coconut cream, and lime juice.
3. Shake it up:
   Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, or until the mixture is chilled and silky smooth.
4. Strain and pour:
   Strain into a hurricane or highball glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Garnish and serve:
   Top it off with a pineapple wedge and a cherry for that classic tiki look. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

• Coconut cream vs. cream of coconut: Coconut cream is thicker and less sweet than cream of coconut (like Coco López). If you’re using a sweetened cream of coconut, reduce the pineapple juice slightly for balance.
• Fresh lime juice is key—don’t substitute bottled if you can help it. It cuts the sweetness and brings everything to life.
• Shake vigorously to ensure the coconut cream fully emulsifies into the drink.
• For a blended version, toss everything in a blender with crushed ice and blend until slushy. It’s like a Blue Hawaiian meets piña colada.

Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 cocktail
• Category: Drinks / Cocktails
• Method: Shaken
• Cuisine: Tropical / Tiki / American
• Diet: Gluten-Free
• Keywords: Blue Hawaiian cocktail, tropical cocktail, coconut rum drink, tiki drink, pineapple rum cocktail

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Hurricane or highball glass
• Bar strainer
• Citrus juicer (for fresh lime juice)
• Bar spoon (optional)

this RECIPE

Helpful Tips

Making a cocktail as beautiful and delicious as the Blue Hawaiian doesn’t take a mixology degree—just a few smart techniques and quality ingredients. Whether you’re shaking one up for yourself or mixing a whole round for friends, these helpful tips will take your tropical sips to the next level.

1. Use fresh lime juice, always

This drink has sweetness from the pineapple juice and coconut cream, and the lime is what cuts through that and brings it all into balance. Bottled lime juice doesn’t offer the same brightness. Just one fresh lime makes a huge difference.

2. Chill everything ahead of time

Especially your glass. A quick 10 minutes in the freezer keeps your cocktail colder for longer and gives you that “just-served-at-a-resort” effect. You can also chill your pineapple juice and rum in advance for an even frostier sip.

3. Shake hard—and shake long enough

Coconut cream needs to be fully emulsified with the other liquids for the drink to be silky instead of separated. That means a good 15-second shake with ice, until the shaker feels almost too cold to hold. That’s your signal it’s ready.

4. Strain over fresh ice

Even though you’ve already shaken with ice, always pour over fresh ice in your glass. It keeps the drink crisp and cold without watering it down too quickly.

5. Choose the right coconut cream

Look for unsweetened coconut cream, not cream of coconut, unless you’re after a much sweeter, thicker drink. If your coconut cream has separated in the can, stir or blend it before using to make it smooth.

6. Adjust the sweetness to your taste

If you’re using sweetened coconut cream or a very sweet pineapple juice, you can add a bit more lime juice to balance it. On the flip side, if your juice is tart or fresh-squeezed, you might like a little splash of simple syrup or a sweeter coconut liqueur.

7. Make it a showstopper with garnishes

That pineapple wedge and cherry? They’re not just pretty. The cherry adds a nostalgic tiki touch, and the pineapple gives a little fresh fruit to nibble on. Add a cocktail umbrella if you’re feeling festive—it’s not over the top, it’s a vibe.

8. Don’t skip the blue curaçao

It’s more than just color—it adds citrus flavor, too. If you’re subbing it out, try a triple sec or orange liqueur with a tiny drop of blue food coloring, but the real thing is worth keeping on your bar shelf.

Conservation and Storage

The Blue Hawaiian Cocktail is best known for its vibrant color and creamy-smooth texture—and both of those qualities shine brightest when the drink is made fresh. That said, if you’re prepping for a party or making a batch for later, there are a few smart ways to store or prep this tropical beauty without sacrificing flavor or presentation.

Short-Term Storage

If you’re entertaining and want to get ahead of the game, you can prep the base of the drink a few hours in advance.

How to prep ahead:

• Mix together the coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and lime juice in a large container or pitcher.
• Leave out the coconut cream until you’re ready to serve. It tends to separate or solidify when stored with acidic juices and needs to be shaken fresh for the best texture.
• Store the pre-mixed base in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to serve:

• Add coconut cream to your shaker with ice.
• Pour in a serving of your pre-made base.
• Shake, strain over fresh ice, garnish, and enjoy.

Fully Mixed Storage (Short-Term Only)

If you’ve already mixed the cocktail completely, including the coconut cream:

• Store in the fridge in a sealed container or jar for up to 4 hours.
• Before serving, give it a good shake or stir—coconut cream can separate slightly when chilled.
• Shake again with ice before pouring for the best texture and chill.

Freezing Is Not Recommended

While it might seem tempting to make and freeze a batch, coconut cream doesn’t freeze well—it can become gritty or separate when thawed. And the vibrant blue color and citrusy notes tend to fade over time.

Instead, if you want a frozen version, blend it fresh every time. The texture will be creamy, the flavors bright, and the experience far more satisfying.

Serving Tip for a Crowd

Want to serve this cocktail at a party? Make a large batch of the base mix (rum, curaçao, pineapple juice, lime juice) and set out:

A few pre-chilled glassesd the cream can separate if it sits too long. Always shake and serve just before drinking.

A shaker with coconut cream

Ice and fresh garnishes

Substitutions and Variations

This drink is endlessly riffable. Whether you’re out of one ingredient or just want to try something new, these swaps and twists keep things exciting:

Spirit Variations:

• White rum or light rum: If you don’t have coconut rum, regular light rum works well. Add a splash of coconut extract or coconut water to keep the tropical flavor.
• Vodka: Not traditional, but makes a cleaner, more neutral base. Add extra pineapple juice or a splash of orange liqueur for depth.
• Tequila: For a bold, punchier twist—especially in a blended version. Think tropical margarita meets tiki drink.

Juice Alternatives:

• Mango juice: Adds sweetness and a bit more body.
• Orange juice: Slightly tangier, less tropical than pineapple, but still delicious.
• Passion fruit juice: A perfect swap if you want something more exotic.

Cream Swaps:

• Cream of coconut (sweetened): More dessert-like and thicker—just reduce pineapple juice for balance.
• Coconut milk: Lighter, less creamy—but great if you want a thinner consistency or lower fat.
• Dairy-free? All versions are naturally dairy-free if you use non-dairy coconut cream. Just double-check the brand.

Make it Frozen:

• Toss all ingredients in a blender with 1 to 1½ cups of crushed ice and blend until smooth. Perfect for summer cookouts or beachy backyard days.

Storage Instructions

This cocktail is all about freshness, so it’s not ideal for storing long-term once mixed. But here’s what works:

Short-term prep:

• Combine all the liquid ingredients except coconut cream, and store in the fridge for up to 1 day.
• Add coconut cream and shake with fresh ice just before serving.

Not recommended for freezing.

The coconut cream will separate, and the overall texture just doesn’t hold up. For frozen versions, blend fresh every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a Blue Hawaiian and a Blue Lagoon?
A Blue Hawaiian uses coconut cream and pineapple juice, giving it a richer, creamier, tropical vibe. A Blue Lagoon is typically lighter and made with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade or lemon juice.

Can I make this without alcohol?
Absolutely. Substitute coconut water or a splash of cream of coconut for the rum, and use orange juice in place of blue curaçao. You’ll still get the tropical flavor without the booze.

Can I batch this cocktail?
Yes! Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings, mix everything (except the coconut cream) in a pitcher, and store chilled. Add coconut cream and shake individual servings with ice when ready to serve.

What kind of glass should I use?
A hurricane glass is classic for that tropical cocktail feel, but a highball glass or even a large wine glass will do the trick. It’s all about the vibe you’re going for.

Why is my drink separating?
This usually happens if the coconut cream wasn’t fully mixed. Give it a good shake before pouring, or stir it thoroughly before adding to the shaker.

Conclusion

This Blue Hawaiian Cocktail is everything a great tropical drink should be—bold in color, rich in flavor, and just the right mix of sweet, citrus, and creamy. It’s easy to make, easy to sip, and guaranteed to impress, whether you’re serving one or a whole crowd.

It’s a cocktail that doesn’t just taste like summer—it feels like summer. The kind of drink that invites you to slow down, take a breath, and imagine waves crashing somewhere in the background. So go ahead—shake one up, find a sunny spot, and let the island vibes roll in.

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