Blue Lagoon
A vivid blue vodka highball with blue curaçao, lemon, and soda over ice.
The Blue Lagoon balances tart lemon with the orange sweetness of blue curaçao. Unlike many visually gimmicky drinks, it maintains a structured sour profile when made with fresh citrus. The blue curaçao provides the defining electric color and a slightly bitter orange backbone that plays against the neutral vodka. It is a mid-century European classic that predates the neon disco drinks of the 80s.
Ingredients
- • 1.5 oz vodka
- • 0.5 oz blue curaçao
- • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- • 0.75 oz simple syrup
- • 3-4 oz chilled soda water
Did you know?
“Created by Andy MacElhone at Harry's New York Bar in Paris in 1960, the drink was designed to showcase the new blue curaçao liqueurs entering the market.”
Bartender's Note
Prefer fresh lemon juice and soda over bottled lemonade for a cleaner, less cloying drink. For a quicker build, replace the lemon juice, syrup, and soda with 4 oz lemonade and stir gently.
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How to make the Blue Lagoon
- 1Add vodka, blue curaçao, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice
- 2Shake until well chilled
- 3Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice
- 4Top with chilled soda water
- 5Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve
