Blue Lagoon – Recipe

The History of The Blue Lagoon.

This cocktail is credited to being invented by Andy MacElhone, son of Harry MacElhone, but I don’t buy that. There is no way this is a French cocktail. First off, there is no evidence that I or it seems anyone else has found that he created this. Many people say that they heard from others that heard from someone else who read it online that he made it. Second, it’s made with blue orange liqueur, and I have never heard of a French cocktail that uses blue orange liqueur. They have Grand Marnier and Cointreau in their backyard; why would they use a cheap gimmick liqueur. Third, this is kind of a gimmick drink. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good, but it’s still a gimmick. It’s a flavorless spirit with lemonade and cheap orange liqueur.

A famous bar like Harry’s New York Bar in Paris has a reputation to keep up, and this drink does not measure up to that reputation. It lacks a French complexity that cocktails like the Scofflaw, monkey gland, or even the French 75 have. It also lacks the quality of the Kir or mimosa. Those seem like French cocktails to me, but the Blue Lagoon does not.

Using Blue Orange Liqueur.

Isn’t this drink super pretty? It’s a boozy cool blue lemonade. This blue is a blue orange liqueur, but if you don’t own blue orange liqueur/curacao, add one drop of blue food dye to the drink.