Last summer, I started a cocktail series named “Tiki Tuesdays” where I would feature a tiki cocktail recipe each week.
I’m adding to that series starting today, running until the end of Labor Day.
This week, I’m actually going to feature two drinks. The first drink will be the Blue Hawaii. I’ve already posted one modern recipe for the drink but, this time I will be using the original 1957 recipe by Harry Yee. Harry Yee created the drink at the request of the Bol’s liquor company to feature their blue curacao liqueur.
The Blue Hawaii is a wonderful drink. It’s balanced, tastes great and gets the job done as far as refreshing the imbiber on a hot day. It’s just not … blue.
I don’t know, if you’re going to call a drink “Blue Hawaii”, I feel it should fit the description. I was a little disappointed when I poured the drink from my shaker tin into the glass and saw the green color.
I felt the need to rectify this situation and create something more fitting. After a few “mad scientist” mixology experiments, I felt that I came up with a good recipe. I shared a batch with my usual guinea pigs taste testers and they gave me the thumbs up!
So without further ado, here is the original 1957 recipe:
Blue Hawaii
3 oz. fresh pineapple juice
1 oz. sweet & sour
1/2 oz. blue curacao
3/4 oz. light rum
3/4 oz. vodka
Shake with plenty of ice. Pour into a tall ice filled glass.
Garnish as you see fit.
And now, here is my new creation:
Bluclear Hawaii
1 1/2 oz. sweet & sour
1 1/2 oz. pineapple vodka ( I use Florida Cane’s product because it’s second to none)
1/2 oz. blue curacao
3/4 oz. coconut rum
3/4 oz. light rum
Shake with plenty of ice. Pour into a tall ice filled glass. Garnish as you see fit.
I really like how this drink came out. It’s got the blue color I wanted, has some good tropical flavors and packs a bit of a punch, which I personally enjoy in a cocktail.
It may not be a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster but, I think I also captured the spirit of that fictitious drink as well.
The Bluclear Hawaii will be my signature drink for the home bar during the summer. I think it would also work as a shot if you wanted to have it in smaller doses.
Let me know if you make the Bluclear Hawaii at home and give me your thoughts in the comments below. Sláinte!