Blue Lagoon
Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 12.7% ABV ∙
The Blue Lagoon is a vodka highball built with blue curaçao, fresh lime juice, and lemon-lime soda, served long over ice in its signature electric-blue color. Citrus-sharp and fizzy up front, with a sweet orange-curaçao undertone and a light, soda-softened finish that makes it easy to drink through a warm afternoon.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour the first 3 ingredients into the glass and briefly stir: Vodka 40 mlBlue Curaçao 30 mlLime juice 20 ml
- Fill the glass with ice
- Top with Lemon-lime soda and briefly stir
- Garnish with an orange wheel
Tips
- Pour the vodka, curacao and lime into the glass first and fill it with full-size cubes after, as the build does - big cubes slow the dilution and keep the vodka-to-soda ratio intact.
- Build in order: vodka and Blue Curaçao first, then fresh lime juice, and top with lemon-lime soda last to preserve carbonation.
- Stir the vodka, curaçao, and lime juice briefly before adding soda, then give one gentle stir to avoid flattening the fizz.
- Cut the orange wheel just before serving and perch it on the rim so its oils stay bright against the blue color.
History
The Blue Lagoon is a French cocktail credited to Andy MacElhone, son of Harry MacElhone, at Harry's New York Bar in Paris. Sources differ on the exact date, placing its creation anywhere from 1960 to as late as 1972, with several accounts settling more loosely on the late 1960s or early 1970s, a period when blue curaçao was gaining popularity in Europe. The drink is unrelated to the 1980 film of the same name, which it predates by roughly two decades. Harry's New York Bar, opened by Harry MacElhone and known as the birthplace of several other classic cocktails, remains the site most sources cite as its home. In Denmark the same drink circulates under the name "Isbjørn," meaning polar bear.
FAQ
What's in a Blue Lagoon cocktail?
A Blue Lagoon is made of vodka, blue curaçao, fresh lime juice, and lemon-lime soda, built over ice in a Collins glass and garnished with an orange wheel. The blue curaçao is what gives the drink its bright blue color and orange-citrus sweetness.
What alcohol is in a Blue Lagoon?
Vodka is the base spirit, paired with blue curaçao, an orange-flavored liqueur that also supplies the drink's color. Together they make a light, sessionable drink at around 12.7% ABV, well below a straight spirit-forward cocktail.
How do I make a Blue Lagoon step by step?
Fill a Collins glass with ice, then build in the vodka, blue curaçao, and fresh lime juice directly over the ice. Top with lemon-lime soda, stir briefly to combine, and garnish with an orange wheel. No shaking or straining is needed since it is built and served in the same glass.
What's the difference between a Blue Lagoon and a Blue Hawaiian?
A Blue Lagoon is built with vodka, blue curaçao, lime juice, and lemon-lime soda, while a Blue Hawaiian is typically made with rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. The Blue Hawaiian is richer and tropical from the coconut and pineapple, while the Blue Lagoon stays crisp and citrus-forward.
What glass is a Blue Lagoon served in?
A Collins glass, built over ice and finished with an orange wheel garnish. The tall glass gives room for the soda top to stay fizzy without the drink feeling diluted too quickly.
Is a Blue Lagoon healthy?
It is a moderate-calorie cocktail at around 205 kcal per serving, lighter than many cream- or syrup-heavy cocktails since it relies on soda rather than added cream. It is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, though it is still a sweetened alcoholic drink and not a health beverage.
