Frozen Blue Hawaiian

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Start your vacation any time and anywhere when you have a Frozen Blue Hawaiian in your hand.

Nobody can ever accuse me of being an individual who is constantly confused. Befuddled perhaps. Absent-minded? Absolutely. But confused? To live and thrive in confusing times makes one quite capable, in my opinion, no matter how befuddled and absent-minded they might be.

Now, where was I? Oh yes.

Tonight’s recipe is a delicious but possibly confusing one. The Frozen Blue Hawaiian is, of course, an extra cold and slushy version of the classic beachside libation, the Blue Hawaiian. But there’s also the Blue Hawaii, another famous concoction, which also has a counterpart in the Sparkling Blue Hawaii. So what’s the difference? Or are they the same and people are just using “Hawaii” and “Hawaiian” interchangeably? Let’s take a closer look.

The original cocktail is the Blue Hawaii, which was invented by famous mixologist Harry Yee in 1957, for what is now known as the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort. Inspired by a Bing Crosby song from the 1937 movie Waikiki Wedding, the cocktail’s popularity would also result in various offshoots, like the Blue Hawaiian, which many have speculated was invented by Donn Beach of Don The Beachcomber fame. So what’s the difference between the two?

A Blue Hawaii is made of vodka, rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice and sweet & sour mix, whereas the Blue Hawaiian is comprised of rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice and cream of coconut.

One is a little sweet and a tad sour, and the other is on the creamier side of the shore. Now, grab some ice and a blender and start mixing. All this talk about Blue Hawaiis and Hawaiians is making me thirsty.

What Is Curaçao?

The popular citrus liqueur takes its name from the island it comes from. On Curaçao in the West Indies, the bitter orange laraha fruit grows in abundance, which is then harvested to help create both blue and clear varieties of the alcoholic ingredient. The blue style, which has the color added to it, is a popular additive in Tiki and tropical cocktails, such as tonight’s recipe.

What Is The Best Rum To Use In A Frozen Blue Hawaiian?

We want a creamy, Polynesian-inspired treat when we start sipping on the Frozen Blue Hawaiian, and it needs to be on the “blue” side too. So, what should we mix it with? I recommend a silver, or white, rum. This is an unaged spirit, so it’ll be clear in color and lighter in taste than other rums, like gold, dark or spiced. This also helps achieve the bright color this cocktail is supposed to have when presented. If you want a more flavorful sip, you can use a coconut rum. My choice is Hawaii’s own Kōloa, which offers both white and coconut varieties, along with many others.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Chill a hurricane or highball glass in your freezer for up to 30 minutes before serving. This will give a frosty and extra cold sipping experience. Once your drink is poured in, garnish with a pineapple wedge, palm frond and/or a cocktail umbrella. You’ll do well with a straw or two popped in, too.

Why is my drink green instead of blue?

That’s due to the pineapple juice, cream of coconut and blue curaçao all mixing together, giving your cocktail a more emerald/aquamarine aesthetic instead of a true azure look.

Similar Cocktails To The Frozen Blue Hawaiian

If this past year has been a little on the tougher side, and you just can’t make it to your favorite island destination for whatever reason, a little rum, ice and a blender can bring those vacation vibes to you. Turn your backyard and Slip ‘N’ Slide into a resort paradise with some of these cold and tropical tipples. You may not be on a beach somewhere, but with these drinks in hand, you won’t have to be.

• Frozen Daiquiri – Cool down with this frozen version of the Cuban classic.
• Frozen Margarita – Summer officially starts when this popular concoction comes out to play.
• Frozen Mojito – Here’s a cocktail legend that reaches another level of refreshment.
• Frozen Mudslide – Vodka, coffee, and Irish cream liqueurs can also help keep you cool this season.