From grey to blue – discover how you can transform gloomy winter days into a Caribbean feeling with Blue Curaçao. And of course, we'll also tell you the history of the liqueur.
What is Blue Curaçao?
Blue Curaçao is a variation of the orange liqueur of the same name, originating from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, which received the suffix "Blue" due to its blue color. It is traditionally made from a Seville orange variety characteristic of the island, called "Laraha". Triple Sec developed from Curaçao. This term is now often used synonymously with "Curaçao", also because both terms are not protected designations of origin or quality. There are therefore now various manufacturers of Blue Curaçao, which usually has an alcohol content of 20–21% vol.
In the following, we will explore how Blue Curaçao came about and how it is produced.
The History of Blue Curaçao
The history of Blue Curaçao begins as early as 1499, with the discovery of the island of Curaçao, off the coast of Venezuela, by the Spanish. A few decades later, they tried to grow oranges there, but due to local conditions, this only produced inedible fruit.
After the plantations were abandoned and became wild, a bitter orange subspecies developed there: Citrus aurantium currassuviensis, also known as "Curaçao orange" or "Laraha".
Over time, it was discovered that the peels of this Seville orange variety were excellent for flavoring spirits due to their intense taste, and the liqueur Curaçao was created. However, it was not until the high demand for orange liqueur in 19th-century France and its marketing as "Triple Sec", "Cointreau", and "Grand Marnier" that larger production began in Curaçao.
The Senor family distillery, which has been producing the famous "Curaçao of Curaçao" since 1896, is an example of this.
Among the most popular versions of Blue Curaçao in Europe are Bols Blue Curaçao and Monin Liqueur de BLUE CURAÇAO
But what about the blue color of Blue Curaçao?
It was formerly allegedly created by a chemical reaction between the copper pot used for production and the alcohol, but today it is due to the addition of food coloring.
How is Blue Curaçao made?
The production of Blue Curaçao can now involve the peels of both Curaçao oranges and commercially available oranges and bitter oranges. In traditional production, the Laraha bitter orange peels are dried in the sun for several days, then macerated with spices in neutral alcohol and cooked in copper stills.
After several cooking and resting phases, as well as the addition of water and sugar, the liqueur is filtered and bottled. To produce Blue Curaçao, food coloring is additionally added before bottling.
The best cocktail recipes with Blue Curaçao
The orange liqueur with its sweet taste and extravagant color should not be missing from any home bar. Blue Curaçao is an ingredient in numerous iconic cocktails.
Swimming Pool
We would like to start our cocktail recipes with a classic: The Swimming Pool, created in 1979 in Schumann's Bar in Munich, is one of the coladas and captivates with its exotic-fruity taste and, of course, its characteristic blue color. Here's how to make this cult cocktail based on white rum and vodka really delicious:
Ingredients:
- 4 cl Vodka
- 2 cl Blue Curaçao
- 12 cl Pineapple juice
- 2 cl Whipped cream
- 2 cl Cream of Coconut
- Pineapple for decoration
- Crushed Ice
Perfect glass:
- Fancy glass
Preparation:
Mix vodka, cream, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice with an electric mixer and pour the mixture into a glass half-filled with crushed ice.
Now, drizzle the Blue Curaçao into the glass and garnish it with a cocktail cherry.
Blue Lagoon
Of course, blue is the dominant color in our cocktail selection today, and the Blue Lagoon continues this trend. If you want to dream yourself away to the blue lagoons of Curaçao, you should definitely try this simple yet delicious recipe.
Ingredients:
- 8 cl Pineapple juice
- 4 cl White rum
- 3 cl Blue Curaçao
- 1 Lemon wedge
- Ice cubes
Perfect glass:
- Highball glass
Preparation:
Place some ice cubes in the highball glass and pour in the pineapple juice and rum.
Stir briefly, then carefully add the Blue Curaçao.
Attach the lemon wedge to the rim as a garnish.
Blue Gin Fizz
The Blue Gin Fizz proves that Blue Curaçao not only harmonizes well with rum but can also form an exquisite liaison with gin. Gin lovers who want to experience a surprisingly positive "blue wonder" should definitely try the following recipe.
Ingredients:
- 3 cl Gin
- 1.5 cl Blue Curaçao
- 12 cl Sparkling Wine
- Orange spiral
Perfect glass:
- Champagne flute
Preparation:
Add the gin and Blue Curaçao to the glass.
Fill it with sparkling wine and decorate with the orange spiral.
Envy
Do you want your guests at your cocktail party to turn blue with envy at your bartending skills? Then serve them the Envy – an elegant summer cocktail with a tequila base that is guaranteed to turn heads.
Ingredients:
- 4.5 cl Tequila Blanco
- 1.5 cl Blue Curaçao
- 6 cl Pineapple juice
- Ice
Perfect glass:
- Martini glass
Preparation:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into the glass.
Absinthe Alligator
If this list has been too blue for you so far, we have the Absinthe Alligator, which lives up to its name and is, of course, green. However, it is less dangerous than it might sound, as it is primarily based on fruit juices and contains only a small amount of absinthe and Blue Curaçao.
Ingredients:
- 8 cl Orange juice
- 8 cl Passion fruit juice
- 2 cl Absinthe
- 2 cl Blue Curaçao
- Lemon for garnish
- Ice cubes
Perfect glass:
- Large tumbler
Preparation:
Add 5-6 ice cubes, absinthe, Blue Curaçao, passion fruit juice, and orange juice to a mixing glass and stir all ingredients.
Place some ice cubes in the tumbler and strain the mix into it through a bar strainer.
Garnish the drink with an orange slice and cocktail pick.
Black Death
We continue with differently colored cocktails that sound more dangerous than they are. The Black Death, with its light-dark color gradient, looks so alluring that the name doesn't sound so off-putting anymore. Plus, we can give the all-clear: the Black Death, with its citrus aromas, is primarily invigorating. Here's how to make this eye-catching cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 cl Tequila
- 4 cl Blue Curaçao
- 2 cl Grenadine
- 4 cl Lemon juice
- 8 cl Blood orange juice
- 1 Lemon slice
- Ice cubes
Perfect glass:
- Highball glass
Preparation:
Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice.
Place two ice cubes in the highball glass and strain the mixture into it.
Garnish the rim of the glass with the lemon slice. For even more effect, a sugar rim is also a good idea.
Vulcano
We return to the Caribbean blue, for which Blue Curaçao is so famous, at the end of our recipe suggestions. In a martini glass, the Vulcano even looks a bit like an upside-down blue volcano. The eruption of an incredibly delicious taste explosion of champagne, Blue Curaçao, and raspberry schnapps also speaks for the name.
Ingredients:
- 2 cl Raspberry Schnapps
- 2 cl Blue Curaçao
- Champagne
- Orange peel
Perfect glass:
- Martini glass
Preparation:
Pour the Blue Curaçao and raspberry schnapps into the martini glass.
Fill the glass with ice-cold champagne and spray it with orange peel to add some of its essential oils.
These were our recipes for using Blue Curaçao. If you want to make winter more Caribbean, you should definitely get a bottle of Blue Curaçao. You now have the necessary background information and uses.
FAQ – Questions and Answers
What is Blue Curaçao and how does it taste?
Blue Curaçao is an orange liqueur based on bitter orange peels, originally from the Caribbean island of Curaçao. In terms of taste, it is sweet and fruity with distinct orange aromas. The blue color has no influence on the taste and is purely for visual appeal.
Why is Blue Curaçao blue?
The blue color is now created by the addition of food coloring. Historical explanations refer to chemical reactions in copper stills, but these are considered outdated. The coloring primarily makes the liqueur interesting for striking cocktails.
Which cocktails can be mixed with Blue Curaçao?
Blue Curaçao is an ingredient in many classic cocktails such as Swimming Pool, Blue Lagoon, or Blue Gin Fizz. Its sweet orange base pairs particularly well with rum, vodka, gin, tequila, and fruity juices.
How is Blue Curaçao traditionally made?
Traditionally, dried peels of the Laraha bitter orange are macerated in neutral alcohol, then boiled and refined with water and sugar. After several resting and filtering phases, the liqueur is bottled, with color being added for Blue Curaçao.
Where can you find Blue Curaçao for your home bar?
Blue Curaçao is available from various manufacturers and is one of the classic bar liqueurs. Suppliers with a wide range of liqueurs and cocktail ingredients, such as delicando, make it easier to choose for different recipes.
