Have a slick and stylish evening with the blue and smooth Aqua Velva cocktail.
Here’s another cocktail that can enter the pantheon of mixed mysteries, so to speak. If you’ve been curious, even in passing, about where some of your favorite libations came from, you’ve probably noticed a good number of them have murky, cloudy histories. You could even say that they are muddled, pun completely intended.
Tonight’s recipe is an interesting one: the Aqua Velva. A bright blue concoction, comprised of gin, vodka, blue curaçao and topped with some lemon-lime soda, the Aqua Velva is another tipple that makes one scratch their head. Some folks say it’s a mixture that popped up in bars around the 1980s. Others have claimed that it’s even older than that. And the written and published instances of the drink that have surfaced are usually very different in what’s used and how they’re made.
Our version of this cool and shady sipper has its roots in the 2007 David Fincher film Zodiac. The original shooting script just called for a blue cocktail, nothing specific. According to star Robert Downey Jr., it was the movie’s other lead, Jake Gyllenhaal, who came up with the name. And he wasn’t referencing an actual drink, but the men’s grooming product instead, as a joke.
This concoction might look like Aqua Velva, but believe me, it tastes way better.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In An Aqua Velva Cocktail?
The bright blue visage this beverage has is courtesy of the bitter orange flavors found in the blue curaçao. And for the combo of other spirits, I’ll recommend a stalwart London Dry gin along with a wheat-distilled vodka. The botanicals from the gin and the crisp, peppery heat provided by the vodka blend seamlessly together, giving this drink a satisfying sting on every sip, softening slightly from the soft drink topper.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 ounces vodka
- 1 1/4 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce blue curaçao liqueur
- Lemon-lime soda to top
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, gin, and blue curaçao liqueur.
- Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with lemon-lime soda, stir gently, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE IS USED?
Fill a highball glass with ice and pour your Aqua Velva in once it’s shaken up. Top with Sprite or 7UP, stir gently and enjoy.
WHAT IS AQUA VELVA?
Introduced in 1917, Aqua Velva is considered the first American aftershave for men, often recognized by its bright blue color. While it may look appetizing, it’s not wise to ingest. Even over ice.
Similar Drinks To The Aqua Velva Cocktail
So you say you like your tipples blue, huh? Well, no worries there, my friend. If you’re looking for libations that literally have the blues, then you’ve come to the right place. Step right up and take a gander at some of the sapphire-colored cocktails we have at Twist & Toast, and give them a spin this weekend.
- Sex in the Driveway – Turn a few heads with this blue-looking and blue-sounding drink.
- Blue Hawaii – A classic from the relaxing shores of Waikiki.
- Blue Long Island – A little bit of everything is found in this cocktail.
- Electric Lemonade – Fizzy and blue, this beverage will refresh and reinvigorate you on a hot day.
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