If you’ve ever enjoyed a bright blue drink, you might be wondering what gives it such a striking color. Well, the answer most likely would be — Blue Curacao.
What happens, though, if you don’t have any? How can you perfectly replicate its citrus taste, alcohol level, and blue hue in your cocktails?
Let’s take a look at some of the best Blue Curacao alternatives and chat about how to make some gorgeous cocktails using Blue Curacao or one of its substitutes.
What Is Blue Curacao?
What is currently recognized as the authentic Curacao Liqueur was first produced in 1896 by the Senior family. Original Curacao is naturally clear and owes its distinctive color to food coloring.
In fact, Curacao is available in a number of hues, including green, red, and orange — but the Blue Curacao is the most well-known of them all.
Blue curacao contains 31% alcohol by volume (ABV) and has a sweet orange peel taste with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Its particular flavor, which you won’t find in other orange liqueurs, comes from the Laraha orange, a citrus fruit that grows on the Caribbean island of Curacao.
While the distinct Lahara taste is what distinguishes this drink, there are a handful of substitutes that will also deliver that citrusy bittersweet scent. So let’s meet them all, shall we?
Blue Curacao Substitutes
Curacao Clear Liqueur
Clear Curacao is the best substitute for its blue relative. Why? Because it’s basically the same alcohol, only it’s colorless.
The essence of this liqueur, as previously said, is the Lahara orange. That is what gives its beautiful zesty orange scent with slight flowery undertones. The flavor is identical to its scent — a lovely combination of sweet and zesty.
Aside from the lack of blue, this liqueur will provide the same appealing zesty orange aroma and subtle sweetness to your cocktail.
If you absolutely must have a blue beverage, you can always buy blue food coloring.
Combier Triple Sec
After Clear Curacao liqueur, Combier Triple Sec is the greatest Blue Curacao substitute.
In 1834, Jean-Baptiste and Josephine Combier created the first batch of Triple Sec in France, which led to the establishment of the Combier company.
This orange liqueur has a faint Brazil nut smell, accompanied by orange flowers, orange zest, and lemons. It has that syrupy, dry flavor of tangy citrus and a sweet aftertaste.
Combier’s Triple Sec also lacks the characteristic blue tint of the original Blue Curacao but has a greater ABV (40%).
When using Combier as a replacement, you’ll probably want to use less of it in the cocktails due to the higher alcohol content and simply add blue food coloring.
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is a French citrus liqueur that elevates everything it meets.
Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle developed Grand Marnier in 1880. He came up with the notion of combining French cognac with exotic bitter oranges, and he struck a winning combination.
The Grand Marnier has a strong citrus scent with faint spice and floral undertones. It has a richer, more nuanced flavor than Cointreau, with zesty bitter orange notes, undertones of marmalade, vanilla, and a silky honey mouthfeel.
It has a higher ABV than Blue Curacao (40%) as well. What really sets it apart, though, is its appealing amber tint.
Due to its strong citrus scent, it’s an adequate alternative to Blue Curacao, but yet again, you won’t have the unique blue hue.
Cointreau L’Unique
Cointreau is an excellent French orange liqueur that every home mixologist should have on hand in case they run out of Blue Curacao.
It smells like fresh mandarins and oranges with a hint of spicy honey. The flavor is best described as citrusy and highly refined, with undertones of spicy, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Cointreau is also available in transparent form with 40% ABV, so it’ll take blue food coloring in whatever shade.
You may notice spicier tones with this alternative than you would with Curacao, but they won’t necessarily harm your cocktail’s flavor.
Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb
Last but definitely not least in our selection of orange spirits is Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb.
The Shrubb distinguishes itself in a couple of ways. It contains Rhum Agricole, a Martinique rum derived from pure sugarcane juice — not molasses. What takes it over the top, though, is its zest, bittersweet orange flavor, and blend of spices, honey, and vanilla.
It has 40% ABV and a mid-golden hue. Mix this unique rhum in smaller quantities than Blue Curacao and keep its color in mind while preparing a colorful drink.
Citrusy Liqueur Cocktail Ideas
These savory cocktails bring to mind the happiest and sunniest summer nights. They’re ideal for a warm-up before a club outing or a cocktail party at home.
The original recipes include Blue Curacao, but feel free to substitute one of the options on our list if you don’t have Blue Curacao. Let’s get shakin’!
Swimming Pool Cocktail
Cocktail Ingredients:
- ¾ oz (25ml) Blue Curacao;
- ½ oz (15ml) pineapple juice;
- ¾ oz (25ml) white rum;
- 4 oz (115g) pineapple chunks;
- ¾ cup (25ml) coconut rum;
- 8 oz (225g) crushed ice;
- 2 oz (55g) coconut syrup;
Coconut Syrup Ingredients:
- 5 oz (140g) coconut cream;
- ½ cup (35g) unsweetened coconut shavings;
- 5 oz (140g) granulated sugar;
Garnishing Ingredients:
- ½ tsp coconut shavings;
- 1 pineapple leaf;
- ½ tsp brown sugar;
Prep time: 17 minutes
Begin by making the toasted coconut syrup. Toast the coconut shavings in a small saucepan for about 5 minutes over low heat.
Reduce the heat to medium, then add the coconut cream and granulated sugar while stirring. Stir for another 2 minutes, then drain the syrup into a glass jar and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
Pour Blue Curacao or your desired alternative into a glass. Then, add the remaining cocktail ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth. Pour the icy concoction into the glass and decorate with a pineapple leaf, coconut shavings, and half a teaspoon of brown sugar.
Blue Pinata Cocktail
Cocktail Ingredients:
- 1 oz (30ml) Blue Curacao;
- ¾ oz (30ml) fresh lime juice;
- ½ oz (15ml) pineapple juice;
- 1 oz (30g) tamarind syrup;
- 1 ¾ oz (50ml) pineapple-infused rum;
- ¾ oz (25ml) canned chickpea liquid
- 2 dashes (¼ tsp) angostura bitters;
- 1 cup (140g) crushed ice;
Tamarind Syrup Syrup Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225g) tamarind pulp;
- 1 cup (240ml) water;
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar;
Garnishing Ingredients:
- 1 dehydrated pineapple wheel;
- ¼ cup (50g) rainbow sugar;
- 1 pineapple leaf;
- 1 orange peel;
Prep time: 15 minutes
Begin by creating the tamarind syrup. Bring the tamarind pulp and water to a boil in a medium pot over high temperature for 3-5 minutes.
Continue to boil for 30 seconds after adding the sugar. Let it cool in a glass container after straining off the tamarind solids.
To create the drink, fill a shaker with all the ingredients except the canned chickpea juice and shake thoroughly to blend.
Pour into a large glass to remove the ice. After that, add the cocktail back to the shaker and add the canned chickpea juice. Shake for 30 seconds.
Fill a platter with rainbow sugar. Cover the rim of the glass in tamarind syrup, then dab it in rainbow sugar. Fill the glass with crushed ice and sprinkle with angostura bitters.
Lastly, strain the cocktail into the glass and decorate it with a pineapple wheel, leaf, and a lemon twist.
The Black Forest Cocktail
Cocktail Ingredients:
- 1 oz (30ml) Blue Curacao;
- 1 ½ oz (45ml) gin;
- ¾ oz (25ml) grenadine;
- ¾ oz (25ml) fresh lemon juice;
- ½ oz (15g) rich simple syrup;
- 1 cup (140g) crushed ice;
Rich Syrup Syrup Ingredients:
- 2 cups (200g) granulated sugar;
- 1 cup (240ml) water;
Garnishing Ingredients:
- ¼ tsp pink peppercorn;
- 2 sprigs (divided) fresh thyme;
Prep time: 5 minutes
To begin making the simple syrup, bring the water and sugar to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Then, pour the syrup into a glass jar and set aside to cool. If you’re short on time, you can make the Black Forest with store-bought simple syrup as well.
Moving on to the drink, fill a shaker with ice, squeeze the lemon, and add all the cocktail ingredients. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until well blended.
Pour the drink into a glass with the remaining ice and garnish with the pink peppercorn and fresh thyme.
Papa Smurf Cocktail
Cocktail Ingredients:
- 1 oz (1ml) Blue Curacao;
- ½ oz (15ml) sloe berry vodka;
- 1 ¾ oz (60ml) apple juice;
- ½ oz (15g) rich simple syrup;
- ¾ oz (25ml) fresh lemon juice;
- 1 cup (140ml) crushed ice;
Rich Simple Syrup Ingredients:
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar;
- 1 cup (240ml) water;
Garnishing Ingredients:
- 1 orange peel;
- 4 apple slices;
Prep time: 12 minutes
For the simple syrup, you need to bring sugar and water to a boil over high heat. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes with the heat reduced to medium-low.
Transfer to a glass jar and wait for it to cool. Similar to the last beverage, this one may be prepared even more quickly by using store-bought simple syrup.
Moving on to the drink, put the ingredients (without the vodka) in a shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds.
Pour the strained beverage over ice in a glass, then top with the sloe berry vodka.
Finish the drink by adding the decorative ingredients listed above.
Conclusion
If your inner bartender craves a zesty flavor combination but you don’t have Blue Curacao on hand, now you know what replacements to look for.
Go for Clear Curacao if you want to taste the aroma of Lahara oranges in your cocktail. If not, opt for the Combier Triple Sec or Cointreau. With a little blue food coloring, you’ll achieve the same blue cocktails as you would with Blue Curacao.
We don’t advise, however, mixing Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb and Grand Marnier with blue food color as they are golden/amber and won’t provide the same results as the clear liqueurs. Use these substitutes if you’re looking for a similar taste and not so much for the looks. Have fun!
