The Blue Lagoon

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Get lost in a tropical paradise of your own making with this mixture of vodka, blue curaçao and lemonade… the Blue Lagoon.

As a kid that grew up in the 1980s, whenever I hear the name of tonight’s drink, my mind immediately goes to the movie of the same name entitled The Blue Lagoon, where a young boy and girl are shipwrecked alone on a tropical island and then that’s all I know, because my parents never let me see it and I never got around to it all these years later. But it’s that infamous that I remember it. And the two sequels it spawned. There’s also the movie of the same name from 1949, but I haven’t seen that one either. Maybe I’ll treat myself this weekend to a “Blue Lagoon-a-thon”, whilst imbibing the cocktail that bears the same name.

Oddly enough, this citrus-tasting tipple didn’t originate on any island paradise, but in another idyllic locale instead. Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France is famous for being the birthplace of many iconic cocktails, from the Bloody Mary to the Sidecar. Famous and notable patrons frequented the place, like Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel and Humphrey Bogart, along with many others. Harry’s even hosted James Bond 007 in Ian Fleming’s short story “From a View to a Kill”, for what the secret agent remembers as quite a memorable evening.

And Harry’s New York Bar is where Harry MacElhone’s son, Andy, is said to have invented the Blue Lagoon cocktail sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. During this time, blue curaçao was quite popular in Europe, so MacElhone capitalized on the ingredient by crafting a beverage that also included vodka and lemonade. Tart, sweet and strong, the Blue Lagoon is a perfect summertime cooler, either at the beach or a Parisian cafe.

What is Blue Curaçao?

Named after an island in the West Indies, this crystal-blue-looking liqueur is made from the bitter peels of the laraha citrus fruit, resulting in a robust and full-bodied orange flavor. Because of its color and taste, blue curaçao is used in a number of cocktails, especially tropically-tinged recipes or Tiki drinks. You can also find this liqueur in clear-colored and lightly orange-hued varieties.

What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Blue Lagoon?

Because of the delightful result of the orange flavor from the blue curaçao combining with the lemonade, I’d go with a top-shelf bottle of unflavored vodka. A potato-distilled spirit will have a little extra heat on the finish of each sip, which is very satisfying when paired with the citrus notes from the other ingredients.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

A highball or Collins glass is what you’ll need to sip on a Blue Lagoon. The tall and slender glassware will keep the ice cubes from melting too quickly and diluting your drink. Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.

HOW DO YOU MAKE HOMEMADE LEMONADE?

Mix the freshly squeezed juice of 6 to 8 lemons, 1 cup of sugar, and 5 cups of water together. Adjust these ratios to taste, if necessary.

Similar Drinks To The Blue Lagoon

Is the work week getting you down? Is everyday life giving you the blues? You can lift those glum spirits by having a few blue spirits yourself, like the Blue Lagoon. And there are quite a few other azure-looking cocktails out there that’ll catch your attention as well. Twist & Toast has these recipes, too, so look no further than right here to satiate your curiosity, along with your thirst.

• Blue Margarita – Make your next poolside treat a blue one with this ice-cold concoction.
• Blue Hawaiian – Go on an island getaway without leaving your couch with this refreshing sipper.
• Blue Moon – An elegant tipple comprised of gin, lemon juice and crème de violette.
• Sex in the Driveway – A blue name for a blue cocktail.