Is the Blue Hawaii and the Blue Hawaiian the same?

No. The Blue Hawaii and the Blue Hawaiian are frequently mixed up, but they are distinct cocktails. Specifically, the Blue Hawaii doesn’t include Cream of Coconut, unlike the Blue Hawaiian.

How to Make a Blue Hawaii - Absolut Drinks

What is a Blue Hawaii Cocktail?

The Blue Hawaii is a popular rum cocktail served in a hurricane glass and best known for its neon blue color. While there are many variations of the Blue Hawaii, the key ingredients are light white rum, pineapple juice, citrus juice, and blue curaçao. Many Blue Hawaii recipes also often but not always, include vodka.

As mentioned above, the Blue Hawaii should not be confused with the coconut-tasting Blue Hawaiian, which also has many recipe variations.

What Does a Blue Hawaii Cocktail Taste Like?

The taste of a Blue Hawaii varies a lot depending on the choice of light white rum you choose. For example, if you use Malibu, you’ll most certainly taste coconut. Otherwise, a Blue Hawaii is slightly sweet, slightly tart with both tropical and citrusy flavors.

The History of the Blue Hawaii Cocktail

The Blue Hawaii is said to have been created in the late 1950s by the head bartender of a hotel bar in Waikiki, Hawaii. The bartender was asked to create a drink to boost sales of Blue Curaçao.

After mixing and shaking up several versions, the bartender landed on a recipe that, while not quite the same as today, still flaunted that iconic blue hue, a Pineapple Wedge, and, of course, the obligatory cocktail umbrella.

The drink’s name was borrowed from a 1937 hit song, and it gained even more fame with a 1961 movie starring a well-known American crooner.

As we mentioned above, over the years, there have been many variations of the Blue Hawaii, varying greatly in presentation, preparation and even ingredients.

Tips for Making the Perfect Blue Hawaii

Make your own Pineapple Juice with a Centrifugal Juicer
As we always say here, fresh juice is always going to taste better than the stuff you can buy in a supermarket. And if you’re going to make your own juice, then you can’t beat a Centrifugal Juicer.

In the case of the Blue Hawaii, a Centrifugal Juicer will give your Pineapple Juice an incredible soft, almost-fluffy texture. To prepare your Pineapple for juicing, start by slicing off the top and bottom to create flat surfaces. Stand the Pineapple upright and carefully slice off the outer skin. Once the skin is removed, cut the Pineapple into medium-thick rings. Oh! But don’t forget to save a Pineapple Wedge to garnish your drink!

Using a Paring Knife, cut out the core center from each of the rings. Now cut the core-less rings into chunks. Place the chunks into your Centrifugal Juicer and get juicing!

Now, if you don’t have a Centrifugal Juicer, you can use a Blender, just make sure you strain through a Fine Mesh Sieve to discard the pulp, so you’re left with only the juice.

Check out our article on how to juice fruits for your cocktails.
A True Blue, Blue Hawaii
If you’ve ever tried making a Blue Hawaii before or ordered one at a bar, you might have noticed that the drink’s color tends to become green over time instead of staying blue.

This is what happens when Pineapple Juice, which is yellow in color, mixes with Blue Curaçao. Here’s a trick to keep your Blue Hawaii stunning blue: let the freshly juiced Pineapple Juice sit until it separates into a cloudy layer and a clear layer. What you want is clear juice, so pour out the clear part for your cocktail. This way you’ll have a Blue Hawaii that lives up to its name.

Variations of a Blue Hawaii Cocktail

There are so many versions of the Blue Hawaii, not to mention the Blue Hawaiian, that it would be impossible to list them all here. So, let’s look at two popular variations of the Blue Hawaii.

Blue Hawaii With or Without Vodka?
A hot topic among home bartenders and cocktail fans is whether or not vodka belongs in the mix. Personally, we think it does.

Light White Rum is always used in a Blue Hawaii, but Vodka can be swapped in partially or fully, depending on your taste. Our preference is to use equal parts Vodka and Light White Rum like we do in this recipe.
Blue Hawaii Punch Version
The Blue Hawaii is a breeze to make, which is why it’s often served as a punch. Grab a bottle or two of plain or Coconut-Flavored Light Rum, such as Malibu and a bottle of Blue Curaçao, some Pineapple Juice, and some Ice Cubes, and mix it all in a punch bowl. Voila! All you need now is some sunshine and to call some friends over.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Blue Hawaii

To really accentuate the tropical vibes, we recommend serving the Blue Hawaii in a Hurricane Glass with a Cocktail Umbrella, garnished with a Maraschino Cherry, and a Pineapple Wedge.
While our recipe calls for Ice Cubes, some prefer filling the Hurricane Glass with Crushed Ice.
Oh! And don’t forget the all-important drinking straw. The Blue Hawaii should be sipped with a straw to really bring home those Hawaiian vibes.
Just like the recipe ingredients, the glassware for a Blue Hawaii also varies from place to place with some bars opting for Tiki Mugs and even Coconut Halves. It’s your drink – you decide!