Want a fun cocktail that’s perfect for both the beach and all patriotic parties? Try this Blue Wave Cocktail recipe! With its vibrant blue color, this 3-ingredient cocktail is easy to make up at home. Mocktail version included below!
The Blue Wave Cocktail is a vibrant and refreshing drink that’s perfect for any occasion.
With its striking blue color and a delightful mix of blue curaçao, ginger beer, and a splash of lime, this cocktail is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Whether you’re hosting a summer party, enjoying a quiet evening at home, or simply craving something unique, the Blue Wave Cocktail is sure to impress.
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❤️🤍💙 Why you’ll love this blue cocktail recipe
We can’t get enough of the Blue Wave cocktail. It’s such a refreshing drink!
Here are more reasons to love this drink:
- Stunning Visual Appeal – The vibrant blue hue of this cocktail is eye-catching. It instantly adds a pop of color to any setting, but especially to patriotic events like an election night party or a 4th of July BBQ. It’s a conversation starter that looks just as good in photos as it tastes.
- Balanced Flavors – The combination of sweet and tangy blue curaçao, spicy ginger beer, and zesty lime creates a well-balanced drink that’s both refreshing and flavorful. The ginger beer adds a slight kick, while the lime brings a fresh citrus note that complements the sweetness of the curaçao.
- Versatility – This cocktail is perfect for a wide range of occasions—from summer beach parties to patriotic holiday gatherings. It can also easily be transformed into a mocktail, making it a versatile option for all guests (see FAQ section below).
- Easy to Make – And of course, with just three simple ingredients, the Blue Wave Cocktail is incredibly easy to make. So it’s a great choice for both novice and experienced home bartenders.
🛒 Ingredient notes
You only need three ingredients to make this delicious drink!
- Blue Curaçao – The quality of blue curaçao can vary, so choose one that has a good balance of sweetness and orange flavor. It’s the key ingredient that gives the cocktail its vibrant color and citrusy notes.
- Ginger Beer – Opt for a ginger beer that has a strong, spicy kick to balance the sweetness of the blue curaçao. Non-alcoholic ginger beer is typically used, but you can choose an alcoholic version if you prefer.
- Lime – Fresh lime juice is essential! It adds brightness, acidity, and balance to the cocktail. If you have to use bottled lime juice, make sure it’s pure lime juice without any added sugars or preservatives.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Making this blue wave cocktail recipe is super easy!
- Pour in the blue curaçao (about 2 oz).
- Top with ginger beer (about 1-2 ounces).
- Add a splash of fresh lime juice.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, slice, or twist, if desired.
Serve and enjoy!
Note: you can also double the recipe, place in a cocktail shaker, shake, strain, then serve. A doubled recipe serves two.
Make it a blue mocktail
Creating a mocktail version of the Blue Wave Cocktail is simple and just as delicious.
Replace the blue curacao with a blue sports drink or blue raspberry syrup. Or, use a combination of lemon-lime soda with a few drops of blue food coloring for a similar visual effect.
The ginger beer can stay the same, as it is non-alcoholic already. Or, you can opt for ginger ale if you prefer a milder flavor.
The splash of lime juice remains unchanged, adding that essential citrus kick.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Blue curaçao is a blue-colored liqueur made from the dried peel of the Laraha citrus fruit, which is native to the island of Curaçao. It has a sweet, orange-like flavor and is commonly used in tropical cocktails. You can find blue curaçao at most liquor stores or online.
Yes! While blue curaçao is the star of the Blue Wave Cocktail, you can experiment with other spirits. Vodka, white rum, or tequila can be used to create variations of this drink. However, keep in mind that changing the base spirit will alter the flavor profile.
Most ginger beers are non-alcoholic, but some versions do contain alcohol. Be sure to check the label if you want to keep your cocktail or mocktail alcohol-free.
To adjust the sweetness, you can modify the ratio of blue curaçao to ginger beer. Adding more blue curaçao will increase the sweetness, while adding more ginger beer will reduce it. You can also add a bit more lime juice for additional tartness.
🍽 Serving ideas
This bright blue cocktail can work well in so many different occasions! Here are a few of our favorite party ideas for serving this cocktail.
Beach Party
- Setting: Nothing says beach party like a refreshing, ocean-inspired drink! Serve the Blue Wave Cocktail in clear glasses to show off its vibrant color, and garnish with a tropical umbrella or a slice of pineapple.
- Recipe Pairing: Grilled Shrimp Pineapple Skewers – Marinated in a blend of garlic, lemon, and herbs, these shrimp skewers are light, flavorful, and perfect for beachside munching. The zesty lime in the cocktail complements the citrus marinade, while the ginger beer’s spice balances the savory shrimp.
Election Night Party
- Setting: Celebrate democracy in style with a Blue Wave Cocktail. Serve it as a nod to the political theme, and use patriotic decorations like mini American flags or red, white, and blue straws to dress up the drinks.
- Recipe Pairings: Red, White, and Blue Snacks – Serve a Patriotic Fruit Pizza, Patriotic Puppy Chow, Red, White, and Blue Bark, and Mixed Berry Galette for a colorful, festive election night to remember.
4th of July Summer BBQ
- Setting: A Blue Wave Cocktail is a refreshing and colorful addition to your 4th of July summer BBQ. Serve it in mason jars with plenty of ice, and garnish with a sprig of mint for a fresh touch.
- Recipe Pairing: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches – The rich, smoky flavor of pulled pork is a BBQ staple, and the tangy ginger beer in the cocktail will cut through the richness, while the lime adds a bright, citrusy note.
Tropical-Themed Party
- Setting: Turn your home into a tropical paradise with a Blue Wave Cocktail. Serve it in coconut cups or tiki glasses, and garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry for a fun, festive vibe.
- Recipe Pairing: Pineapple Mango Salsa with Tortilla Chips – This sweet and tangy pineapple mango salsa is a great match for the tropical flavors of the cocktail. The blue curaçao enhances the sweetness of the pineapple, while the ginger beer adds a spicy kick.
Poolside Gathering
- Setting: For a relaxed, poolside gathering, the Blue Wave Cocktail is a cool, refreshing choice. Serve it in tall glasses with crushed ice, and add a few blueberries or a slice of cucumber for a refreshing garnish.
- Recipe Pairing: Shrimp Summer Rolls – These light and refreshing summer rolls are perfect for a hot day by the pool. The clean, crisp flavors of the shrimp summer rolls pair beautifully with the cocktail’s citrus and ginger notes.
🇺🇸 More election day recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Blue Wave Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blue curacao
- 1 ounce ginger beer
- squeeze of fresh lime juice
Instructions
- In a cocktail glass, add the curacao, ginger beer, and squeeze of fresh lime juice. Stir. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
