This Homemade Blue Curaçao recipe is a project that’s worth every cocktail you make with it.
My father is the kind of guy that if we were to go somewhere to eat, be it a fancy restaurant or a butcher paper barbecue joint, there would invariably be one thing that stuck out so much in his mind that once we got home, he had to figure out how to make it. The only exception to that was scrapple. Once he figured out what was in that, we never ate it again.
When I looked at tonight’s recipe for homemade blue curaçao, it seemed a bit involved at first glance. But then it immediately reminded me of something my dad would get excited to make, even though he doesn’t imbibe. You see, sometimes it’s not so much about the end, but the journey you took getting there. Unless you’re impatient. If that’s the case, just go buy some.
When you’re a crafty person who enjoys cocktails, making homemade blue curaçao is both fun and rewarding. It might not be something that you can whip up fairly quickly, like Simple Syrup, but with a little time and care, you can produce something quite tasty and memorable.
What is the best alcohol to use to make homemade blue curaçao?
We’ll want to grab some crisp and clean-tasting spirits to make this citrusy homemade liqueur. Our recipe calls for vodka and gin, which are both clear and can be quite strong, depending on what you get. For this recipe, grab some stalwart and reliable liquors, like a Smirnoff or Stoli for the vodka, and a balanced London Dry that isn’t too herbaceous or juniper-forward, like Beefeater or Tanqueray.
Ingredients
- 2 navel oranges
- 1 1/2 cups vodka
- 1/2 cup gin
- 3 tablespoons dried bitter orange peel
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 8 drops blue food coloring
Instructions
- Wash your fresh oranges thoroughly. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest in strips.
- In a large mason jar, combine the vodka, gin, dried bitter orange peels, fresh peels, and cloves. Seal the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 15 to 20 days. Give it a gentle shake every few days.
- After the infusion period, strain the alcohol through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or cheesecloth. Discard the peels and spices.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved to make a rich syrup. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature.
- Pour the cooled syrup into your orange-infused alcohol. Stir well. Now for the fun part: add the blue food coloring one drop at a time until you reach that famous electric blue hue (usually about 8 drops).
- Pour into a clean glass bottle and seal. Let it rest for one week before using.
Nutrition
How do I store it?
Once your homemade blue curaçao is ready to store in your fridge, transfer everything into a resealable and airtight glass storage bottle or Mason jar and keep it chilled in between uses.
How long will this recipe last once it is made?
Because of the alcohol that is used, your mixture should last from a number of months up to a year, as long as it is kept cool in your refrigerator.
Homemade blue curaçao cocktails worth trying
Now that you’ve made some fine and electric-blue-looking curaçao for your home bar, it’s time to discover some of the delicious and thirst-quenching mixed drinks you can craft with it. Blue curaçao is quite the popular ingredient in many an alcoholic beverage, and below is just a taste of what you can make.
- Blue Hawaii – Rum, vodka, and blue curaçao combine in this classic Polynesian treat.
- Polar Bear – Here’s an Arctic-inspired sipper that’s guaranteed to cool you down.
- Blue Motorcycle – A bit of everything, as well as some blue curaçao.
- Tipsy Mermaid – Midori, rum, and blue curaçao help craft this boozy concoction.
Wow, this is in the “I didn’t think it was something one could make” category. Might have to give this a shot.
Homemade is always best, as they say!