Blue Kamikaze

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

The Blue Kamikaze is a bright, azure, and tart tipple, the perfect sipper on a hot afternoon.

Sometimes I don’t care exactly what cocktail I’ll be sipping on, especially if it’s pretty to look at. Colorful libations are very good at catching the eye, then flirting with your expectations. What will it taste like? Will it be fruity and sweet, or tart and tangy? When it comes to mixed drinks, there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?

Tonight’s cocktail is one such beverage, the sapphire-looking and orange-flavored Blue Kamikaze. Now, an original Kamikaze is comprised of vodka, triple sec, and the freshly squeezed juice of a plump and ripe lime. It’s a well-known and popular concoction, said to have been created on a U.S. naval base during the 1940s, for fairly obvious historical reasons. There’s even a mini version that has made the rounds over the years, the Kamikaze Shot.

But what’s the difference between a traditional Kamikaze and this evening’s Blue Kamikaze? What makes it blue, for instance, and does it taste wildly different from the original? Well, to answer the latter question, not really. When you sip on this cocktail—especially if you’re familiar with the first one—you’ll notice they taste close with slight differences, and the change is somewhat cosmetic.

But how? Well, let’s look at what liquor we’ll need to craft one.

What is the best alcohol to use in a Blue Kamikaze?

In this version of the Kamikaze, vodka is still the base spirit that the rest of the drink is built on. A crisp and clean version, either wheat- or potato-distilled, will take on the qualities of the lime juice and the other element that makes this beverage a blue one. Made from the bitter laraha citrus fruit, blue curaçao, while similar to the clear-colored and sharp-tasting triple sec liqueur, has a slightly sweeter and richer flavor profile.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Chill a cocktail coupe or martini glass before serving this drink, either by placing it in your freezer for around 15 minutes or filling it with ice as you prep your mixture. Once you’re ready, spill out the ice, pour your Blue Kamikaze in and garnish the rim with a lime wheel.

What does kamikaze mean?

The word kamikaze is Japanese and can be translated to mean “divine wind”. Any cocktail that claims divinity must be tried at least once.

Other cocktails similar to the Blue Kamikaze

You’ve got a new set of coupes literally chilling in your freezer, an abundance of lemons and limes as well. And with a lovely top-shelf vodka and mouthwatering-looking bottle of a citrusy liqueur, you’re ready to invite a few special friends over and shake up a few treats to give the night a few unforgettable moments. Try some of these out and see where they take you.

• Lemon Drop Martini – Lemon juice and simple syrup help give this cocktail a candy-like vibe.
• Cosmopolitan – Cranberry and lime juices combine with vodka and triple sec to craft the trendy Cosmo.
• Vodka Margarita – Out of tequila, but still in the mood for a crisp and cool ‘rita? Here ya go.
• Purple Hooter – Some raspberry liqueur makes this libation something special.