What Does the Blue Hawaiian Taste Like?

If you have ever had a Pina Colada, you know precisely what a Blue Hawaiian tastes like. The only difference is the 1/2 oz of blue orange liqueur that gives it its beautiful color but doesn’t change the flavor much. The Blue Hawaiian has a lovely coconut and pineapple flavor balanced with a sweet orange note.

Mixing Options for the Blue Hawaiian.

You have two options for mixing a Blue Hawaiian. 1). Blend it with ice and make a slushy of it. 2). Shake it and pour it over crushed or shaved ice. Both ways are great, and it just depends on how you prefer to consume the drink. Although blended is likely the more traditional way to make this cocktail, the shaken one is my preferred way.

What Is The Difference Between The Blue Hawaiian And Blue Hawaii?

While similar in name, the Blue Hawaiian and Blue Hawaii are very different cocktails. The Blue Hawaiian is more of a blue Pina Colada, and the Blue Hawaii is more of a blue pineapple juice cocktail. Harry Yee invented the standard Blue Hawaii recipe used today in the 1950s. The creator of the Blue Hawaiian is largely uncredited and unknown. Some credit Donn Beach with having created the Blue Hawaiian, but I looked at the 1940s, 50s, and 60s versions of his menus, and I didn’t see it anywhere. Those who credit him with it don’t seem too confident he made it either, so I would bet more so on the side that he did not invent it.

Download The Official Vintage American Cocktails App

Discover what classic cocktails you can make right now with the ingredients you have. Check out the Vintage American Cocktail app.

Blue Hawaiian

0 from 0 votes

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Calories

383

kcal

ABV

14%

Total time

minutes

Learn how to make a Blue Hawaiian.

Ingredients

1/2 oz Lime Juice
2 oz Pineapple Juice
2 oz Cream of Coconut
2/3 oz Blue Orange Liqueur
2 oz White Rum

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a blender with a single scoop of ice cubes.
Blend on low for 10 seconds or till the ice is mostly pulverized.
Now blend on high for 5-10 seconds to completely crush the ice and turn the drink into a slushy texture.
Pour into serving glass.

Notes

Tools Used: Blender, Jigger
Serving Glass: Hurricane Glass

Make Cocktails Like A Pro

If you have ever struggled with a recipe or wonder why yours are not turning out like they do at the bar then check out my simple step-by-step videos. I will walk you through how to expertly build each drink so you get consistently great results.

Free and simple step by step videos.
Tips and tricks from years of experience.
Historically accurate and balanced recipes.

Latest Articles

The History of the Blue Hawaii Cocktail.

Invented by Harry Yee in 1957, the Blue Hawaii is a classic Hawaiian cocktail and one of the few tiki-style cocktails from a Polynesian island. Harry Yee came up with the Blue Hawaii while working at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort in Waikiki after Bol’s approached the bartenders there and asked them to come up with a recipe that used their blue orange liqueur. After a few experiments, Harry came up with this recipe called his creation, the Blue Hawaii. Predating the iconic Elvis Presley movie by four years, it is unknown if this cocktail inspired the title for the film Blue Hawaii, but the drink came first. As a side note, I love the movie Blue Hawaii. I am a heterosexual male, but even I need to change my underwear whenever I hear Elvis sing, “Can’t help falling in love.” It should be required viewing before traveling there for vacation. The movie was initially titled “Hawaiian Beach Boy,” so perhaps while filming, the director found the local blue Hawaii cocktail’s name to be a better fit.