Blue Lagoon
A vibrant blue vodka cocktail combining citrusy Blue Curaçao, fresh lemon juice and sparkling lemon-lime soda. Bright, refreshing and easy to prepare, the Blue Lagoon brings tropical colour and lively citrus flavour to any occasion.
Blue Lagoon Recipe
- Vodka 40 ml
- Blue Curaçao liqueur 20 ml
- Lemon juice 15 ml
- Lemon-lime soda 120 ml
- Cocktail cherry (optional) 1 piece
- Ice cubes, for serving 120 g
- Fresh lemon, for garnish 1 wheel
HOW TO BUILD A BLUE LAGOON
- Fill a chilled highball glass generously with approximately 180 g of ice cubes.
- Pour 40 ml vodka over the ice.
- Add 20 ml Blue Curaçao liqueur.
- Pour in 15 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Slowly top with 120 ml chilled lemon-lime soda.
- Stir gently once or twice to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon wheel and an optional cocktail cherry. Serve immediately.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD BLUE LAGOON?
A good Blue Lagoon should balance the orange sweetness of Blue Curaçao with fresh lemon acidity and lively carbonation. Vodka provides a clean spirit foundation, allowing the citrus flavours and distinctive blue colour to take centre stage.
The key is avoiding excessive sweetness. Fresh lemon juice creates a brighter, more refreshing cocktail, while chilled lemon-lime soda keeps the drink light and sparkling.
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BLUE LAGOON: RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most visually recognisable vodka cocktails. Its striking blue colour comes from Blue Curaçao, an orange-flavoured liqueur that gives the drink both its appearance and characteristic citrus sweetness. Unlike more complicated tropical cocktails, the Blue Lagoon requires only a few accessible ingredients and no specialist bartending techniques. The combination of vodka, Blue Curaçao and lemon-lime soda creates a citrus-forward drink with moderate sweetness and a refreshing finish. For Drinkero, we add a small amount of fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the liqueur and soda. This gives the finished cocktail a brighter flavour while preserving its familiar character.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon begins with vodka, which provides a clean spirit foundation without introducing strong competing flavours. A neutral vodka such as Absolut, Finlandia or Smirnoff No. 21 works particularly well. There is no need to use an especially expensive vodka because the orange and lemon flavours define the cocktail.
Blue Curaçao liqueur is the essential ingredient. Despite its bright blue appearance, it is an orange-flavoured liqueur rather than a tropical fruit syrup. Bols Blue Curaçao and De Kuyper Blue Curaçao are suitable choices, offering a sweet orange character and the distinctive blue colour. Choose an alcoholic Blue Curaçao liqueur for this recipe rather than a non-alcoholic syrup, which would change the balance.
Fresh lemon juice introduces the acidity needed to prevent the cocktail from becoming overly sweet. Squeeze the juice shortly before preparing the drink. Fresh lemons provide a brighter citrus aroma than most bottled alternatives.
For the mixer, use a lemon-lime soda such as Sprite or 7UP. Its sweetness, citrus flavour and carbonation are important to this variation of the Blue Lagoon. Chill the soda thoroughly before use.
Finally, use large ice cubes and a fresh lemon wheel. The ice keeps the cocktail cold without excessive dilution, while the lemon garnish complements the orange notes of the Blue Curaçao. A cocktail cherry can be added as an optional finishing touch.
HOW TO BALANCE A BLUE LAGOON
The balance of a Blue Lagoon depends on three main elements: the orange sweetness of Blue Curaçao, the acidity of fresh lemon juice and the quantity of lemon-lime soda.
Drinkero's recommended recipe uses 40 ml vodka, 20 ml Blue Curaçao, 15 ml lemon juice and 120 ml soda. This gives the cocktail a balanced citrus profile without making it excessively sweet.
For a stronger, more spirit-forward version, increase the vodka to 50 ml and reduce the lemon-lime soda to approximately 90 ml. Keep the Blue Curaçao and lemon juice quantities unchanged.
For a lighter, longer drink, increase the lemon-lime soda to approximately 160 ml. The result will be sweeter and more diluted, with a less pronounced vodka flavour.
If the cocktail tastes too sweet, add a little more fresh lemon juice. If the orange liqueur dominates, reduce the Blue Curaçao slightly.
Avoid adding extra simple syrup, as both Blue Curaçao and lemon-lime soda already contribute sweetness.
THE STORY BEHIND THE BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon is closely associated with the colourful cocktail culture that became popular during the 1960s and 1970s.
One frequently repeated account credits Andy MacElhone, the son of legendary bartender Harry MacElhone, with creating an early Blue Lagoon at Harry's New York Bar in Paris. Some accounts place its creation in 1972.
However, the exact origins of the modern highball version remain uncertain. Earlier and later variations have used different combinations of vodka, Blue Curaçao, citrus juice and carbonated mixers.
What made the Blue Lagoon particularly memorable was its vivid blue appearance, which distinguished it from traditional clear, amber and red cocktails.
The drink became associated with summer parties, holiday destinations and tropical-style cocktail bars. Its simplicity and visually striking colour helped it remain popular.
Today, Blue Lagoon recipes vary between bartenders, but vodka, Blue Curaçao and a refreshing citrus mixer remain the defining ingredients.
HOW TO KEEP A BLUE LAGOON BRIGHT & SPARKLING
The Blue Lagoon should have a clear, vibrant blue colour, refreshing citrus flavour and lively carbonation.
Begin with a chilled highball glass and fill it generously with ice. Add the vodka, Blue Curaçao and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Slowly pour the chilled lemon-lime soda over the ingredients. Pouring gently helps preserve the carbonation and prevents unnecessary foaming.
Stir carefully once or twice with a bar spoon. This distributes the Blue Curaçao throughout the drink, creating an even blue colour rather than allowing concentrated liqueur to collect at the bottom.
Do not shake the carbonated soda in a cocktail shaker. The drink is best built directly in the serving glass.
Finish with a fresh lemon wheel and an optional cocktail cherry. Serve immediately while the cocktail remains cold and sparkling.
HOW TO SERVE A BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon is traditionally presented in a tall highball glass, generously filled with clear ice cubes.
Its most recognisable feature is the vivid blue colour, which should appear bright and evenly mixed throughout the glass.
A fresh lemon wheel is an excellent garnish because it reinforces the cocktail's citrus character while contrasting beautifully with the blue liquid.
A cocktail cherry is optional and adds a traditional touch of colour. It can be placed on a cocktail pick alongside the lemon wheel.
For Drinkero photography, the ideal presentation is a single highball glass containing a clear turquoise-blue cocktail, visible ice cubes and a fresh lemon wheel on the rim.
Avoid excessive decorations or coloured syrups that create separate layers. The Blue Lagoon should look clean, bright and refreshing.
Questions about the Blue Lagoon
What is a Blue Lagoon cocktail made from?
A Blue Lagoon typically combines vodka, Blue Curaçao liqueur and a citrus mixer such as lemonade or lemon-lime soda. Drinkero's version also includes fresh lemon juice for a brighter, more balanced flavour.
What makes a Blue Lagoon blue?
The bright blue colour comes from Blue Curaçao, an orange-flavoured liqueur containing blue colouring. The colour does not come from naturally blue fruit juice.
What is the best vodka for a Blue Lagoon?
A clean, neutral vodka works best. Absolut, Finlandia and Smirnoff No. 21 are suitable choices because they allow the orange and lemon flavours to remain dominant.
Can I make a Blue Lagoon with Sprite?
Yes. Sprite or another lemon-lime soda works well in a Blue Lagoon. It adds citrus flavour, sweetness and carbonation.
What does a Blue Lagoon taste like?
A Blue Lagoon tastes sweet, citrusy and refreshing. Blue Curaçao provides orange notes, while the lemon juice adds acidity and the soda creates a light, sparkling finish.
Should a Blue Lagoon be shaken or stirred?
Both shaken and built versions exist. Drinkero recommends building the cocktail directly in the glass and stirring gently because the lemon-lime soda is carbonated.
Can I make a Blue Lagoon without alcohol?
Yes. Use non-alcoholic Blue Curaçao syrup instead of the liqueur and omit the vodka, or replace it with a non-alcoholic spirit. Adjust the syrup quantity to avoid excessive sweetness.