Blue Lagoon
Electric-blue, citrusy and sparkling, the Blue Lagoon is a crisp long drink of vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade. It’s zesty, lightly sweet, and built for hot afternoons and easy entertaining.
History of Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is widely associated with late‑20th‑century Paris bar culture, often linked to Harry’s New York Bar and bartender Andy MacElhone. Precise documentation is thin, but the drink clearly rode the wave of colourful, citrus‑forward long drinks that surged in the 1970s. Its vivid hue and approachable flavour made it a tourist favourite, migrating from European hotel bars to resort menus worldwide. As bottled blue curaçao became commonplace, the serve cemented itself as a poolside staple. Modern versions vary between still lemonade and sparkling lemon soda, but the core remains: neutral spirit, orange liqueur, and lemon. The drink’s longevity owes as much to its photogenic look as to its bright, thirst‑quenching profile.
Why the Blue Lagoon Works
Neutral vodka lets orange notes from blue curaçao and fresh lemon shine without competing flavours. The liqueur supplies colour and a soft bitter‑orange depth that rounds the edges of the citrus. Sparkling lemonade provides brightness and bubbles, delivering aroma on the nose and a lively texture. Its sweetness balances the lemon’s sharpness without turning cloying when measured correctly. Large, fresh ice and a brief stir control dilution, keeping the finish clean. The ratio ensures a long, zesty sip that stays crisp to the last mouthful.
Should You Mix Ahead?
For parties, batch the base: vodka, blue curaçao, and lemon juice. Keep it chilled in the fridge so you start cold and need less ice, which preserves carbonation later. Add sparkling lemonade only at service, pouring over fresh ice to maintain fizz. If pre‑diluting for large jugs, add a small percentage of cold water (5–10%) to balance once ice is added. Garnishes can be prepped in advance and kept covered and chilled. Always taste the first poured drink and adjust the batch for sugar or acidity before serving the rest.
Food & Snack Pairings
Salty snacks like crisps, olives, and salted nuts underline the citrus and keep the palate lively. The drink’s light sweetness plays well with salt without becoming cloying. Seafood shines: grilled prawns, calamari, and classic fish and chips benefit from the lemony cut and carbonation. The bubbles scrub fried textures clean between bites. For a casual spread, try spicy wings, ceviche, or a tomato‑mozzarella salad with a sharp vinaigrette. The drink’s brightness and chill parallel picnic and barbecue fare.
How to Make Blue Lagoon
Chill a highball glass and your mixer. Measure the vodka and blue curaçao with a jigger for accuracy. Fill the glass with fresh cubed ice. Add vodka and blue curaçao, then the lemon juice for brightness. Top with sparkling lemonade and give a brief, gentle stir to integrate without killing bubbles. Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve immediately.
When to Serve
This is a summer crowd‑pleaser designed for hot afternoons and poolside sessions. Its low‑to‑moderate strength and fizz make it ideal for daytime. Serve at barbecues, picnics, and casual garden parties where colourful drinks set the tone. It’s also a cheerful welcome drink. Early evening aperitif service works if you keep it crisp and not overly sweet. It pairs well with light bites before a meal.
Common Mistakes
Using flat or warm lemonade dulls the drink instantly. Keep mixers cold and freshly opened to preserve carbonation.
Over‑pouring curaçao for colour makes the drink syrupy and unbalanced. Stick to the measure and let lemon juice keep the edges sharp.
Too much stirring or crushed ice will over‑dilute. Use large cubes and a brief stir so the drink stays lively to the last sip.
Recommended
Best vodka for Blue Lagoon
Choose a clean, neutral vodka so the citrus and orange notes stay in focus. A well‑filtered, standard‑proof bottling lets the curaçao and lemon do the talking without harshness.
Best liqueur for Blue Lagoon
Blue curaçao should provide bright orange aroma with moderate sweetness; most sit around 20% ABV. Look for a clean citrus profile without excessive syrupiness to avoid a cloying finish.
Taste Profile
Ingredients
Instructions
Chill and prep
Chill a highball glass and ensure your lemonade is cold and fizzy. Prepare a lemon wheel garnish.
Build over ice
Fill the glass with fresh cubed ice. Measure in the vodka and blue curaçao.
Add citrus and bubbles
Add the fresh lemon juice, then top with sparkling lemonade. Give a brief, gentle stir to integrate without losing carbonation.
Garnish and serve
Garnish with a lemon wheel and an optional cherry. Serve immediately while ice‑cold and lively.
Bartender Tips
Keep everything cold
Chill glass, spirits, and mixer to protect carbonation and reduce unwanted dilution.
Measure the curaçao
Too much blue curaçao over‑sweetens; keep to 1 oz and let lemon juice sharpen the finish.
Stir, don’t shake
A brief stir integrates ingredients while preserving fizz and clarity.
Swap vodka and blue curaçao for alcohol‑free alternatives or use a blue citrus syrup, then lengthen with sparkling lemonade. Keep the lemon juice to preserve brightness and adjust syrup for balance rather than sweetness alone. To mimic body, add a small pinch of salt and a few drops of orange blossom water or a non‑alcoholic bitter‑orange extract. Build over plenty of fresh ice to keep it crisp and lengthen with chilled, lively bubbles. Serve in the same highball glass with a lemon wheel so the look and aroma match the original. The result is zesty, photogenic, and picnic‑friendly without the alcohol.
Similar Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of lemonade should I use?
Use chilled sparkling lemonade for lift and refreshment. If you only have still lemonade, add a splash of soda water to restore fizz and adjust sweetness with a touch more lemon juice.
Should I shake or build a Blue Lagoon?
Build it directly in the glass over fresh ice and give a gentle stir. Shaking knocks out bubbles and can over‑dilute; if you insist on shaking, do a very short, hard shake with the spirits and lemon only, then top with lemonade.
How strong is it and how can I adjust the alcohol?
Expect roughly 10–12% ABV in the glass, depending on your curaçao and dilution. For a lighter serve, reduce vodka to 1 oz and increase lemonade; for a bolder serve, keep the measures and use a smaller glass packed with ice.
Can I batch it for a party and what should I serve it with?
Batch the vodka, curaçao, and lemon juice, keep it cold, and add sparkling lemonade to order. Serve with salty snacks, seafood, and fried bites; the citrus and bubbles cut through richness and spice nicely.
Hangover Risk
Risk Level
Hangover risk based on alcohol type, content, and serving size: 3/5. Always drink responsibly.
Recipe Rating
Based on 3 reviews