Blue Lagoon
A citrus, refreshing and bubbly vodka cocktail ∙ Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 11.5% ABV ∙
The Blue Lagoon is a vodka highball of blue curaçao, fresh lime juice and lemon-lime soda, served long over ice and colored electric blue by the curaçao.
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
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 around 1960 or more loosely in the 1960s, 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. Harry's New York Bar, which Harry MacElhone bought in 1923, is known as the birthplace of several other classic cocktails. In Denmark the same drink circulates under the name "Isbjørn," meaning polar bear.
FAQ
What's in a Blue Lagoon cocktail?
Vodka, blue curaçao, fresh lime juice and lemon-lime soda. The blue curaçao gives the drink its blue color and a sweet orange flavor.
What alcohol is in a Blue Lagoon?
Vodka is the base spirit, with blue curaçao, an orange-flavored liqueur that also gives the drink its color. With the lime and soda, it comes in at around 11.5% ABV, well below a spirit-forward cocktail.
How do I make a Blue Lagoon step by step?
Pour the vodka, blue curaçao, and fresh lime juice into a chilled Collins glass and stir briefly. Fill with ice, top with lemon-lime soda, stir again, and garnish with an orange wheel.
What's the difference between a Blue Lagoon and a Blue Hawaiian?
A Blue Lagoon is vodka, blue curaçao, lime juice and lemon-lime soda. A Blue Hawaiian is typically rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice and cream of coconut, which make it richer and more tropical; the Blue Lagoon stays crisp and tastes of citrus.
What glass is a Blue Lagoon served in?
A tall Collins glass, over ice.
