We’re sharing how we make our version of the Honolulu Blue Cocktail, the Detroit Lion’s drink of choice (unofficially). This cocktail is made with tequila, Blue Curacao, and blue lemonade and topped with lemon-lime soda.
You can also find a mocktail version of this blue drink, how to make it kid-friendly, and how to batch for a crowd.
If you want to get right into the recipe, use the jump feature to get a printable copy of this recipe and try this blue cocktail while you root for the Lions this weekend! (#onepride)
Honolulu Blue Cocktail – Detroit Lion’s Unofficial Cocktail
It’s hard to believe we are here!! The Detroit Lions are one game away from playing in their first Super Bowl! If they can beat San Franciso this weekend, they will appear in their first EVER Super Bowl!
This is 57 years in the making, so it’s hard NOT to be excited about this outcome.
If you’re a die-hard Lions fan, you’ve sat through many disappointing Thanksgiving games, hoping this would be the year!
Why is It Called The Honolulu Blue? (also known as the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid)
The “Honolulu Blue” cocktail is often associated with the Detroit Lions because it reflects the team’s colors.
The Detroit Lions team colors include a distinctive shade of blue (and white + silver) known as “Honolulu Blue,” a crucial part of their branding and uniform design.
What You Will Need:
Tequila. We’re using 1800 Tequila for this recipe since they partnered with the Detroit Lions to offer these branded tequila bottles. Also, 1800 Tequila is a famous brand known for its quality and smoothness.
Blue Curacao Liquier. The flavor of Blue Curacao added a citrus flavor, as well as a vibrant blue color. For this recipe, we’re using the De Kuyper brand. However, any brand will work.
Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade. We preferred this blue lemonade to add to this vibrant blue color and the combination of sweetness and acidity. This helps to balance the flavors of the alcohol.
Lemon-Lime Soda. For this blue cocktail, we’re topping it off with lemon-lime soda, which complements the citrus notes of the lemonade and blue curaçao.
How To Make A Honolulu Blue Cocktail
Serving Size 1
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of 1800 Tequila
- 2 oz of Blue Curacao Liquier
- 1 oz of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade
- top off with Lemon-Lime Soda [ we used Sprite]
- ice
- slice of lemon
Directions:
- Add ice, 2 ounces of tequila, 2 ounces of blue curacao, and 1 ounce of blue calypso ocean lemonade into a cocktail mixing glass.
- Stir vigorously for thirty seconds.
- Add ice to a serving glass and pour mixture into the glass.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda and add a slice of lemon.
- Cheers!
Glassware: Detroit Lions Pint Glasses are shown in the above photos.
How Can I Make a Honolulu Blue into a Mocktail
If you want to make a non-alcoholic Detroit Lion’s drink, here’s how to take this Honolulu Blue into a mocktail version.
You will swap the tequila for Ritual Zero Proof Tequila (or a similar brand).
Instead of using Blue Curacao Liquier, you can use Blue Curacao syrup.
You can order Blue Curacao syrup online.
Kid-Friendly Honolulu Blue Drink
If you want to make a version of this drink for the kids, you’ll want to swap the blue curacao for blueberry syrup, and you can use Kool-Aid Jammers to replace the tequila and Blue Calypso.
How To Batch This Honolulu Blue Recipe
If you would like to make this blue drink for a crowd (like a tailgating party or similar), you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 40 oz of 1800 Tequila
- 40 oz of Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 20 oz of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade
- About 40-60 oz Lemon-Lime Soda
- Ice
- 20 lemon slices for garnish
Directions:
- Combine tequila, Blue Curacao, and Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade in a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser. Stir well to mix.
- Pro-tip: Chill this base mixture in the refrigerator before serving. This step helps keep the drink cold without relying too heavily on ice, which can dilute the drink.
- When ready to serve this drink, top off with the lemon-lime soda.
Can I use A Different Type of Tequila?
This mixed drink typically prefers Blanco (or silver) tequila since it has a clean, crisp flavor.
If you prefer, you can swap out the tequila for vodka or Absolut Citron.
What’s the difference between Blue Curacao liqueur and Blue Curacao syrup?
While the color may be the same, there’s a big difference between each variety. If you want a non-alcoholic option, you will want to purchase Blue Curacao syrup!
Blue Curacao liqueur contains about 15-40% alcohol (depending on the brand and size). This liqueur is made with brandy or a neutral spirit infused with the peels of the Lahara citrus fruit, which grows on the island of Curacao and then is colored blue.
The syrup is thicker than the liqueur. Also, Blue Curacao liqueur has a longer shelf life than non-alcoholic syrup.
While both may have a similar sweet and slightly bitter orange flavor, the liqueur is more complex because of the alcohol and distillation process.
Where Can I Buy Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade
We usually find this brand at Kroger, Walmart, or Meijer. You can use their search product feature to find it near you.
Other alternatives to using Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade in this recipe.
If you can’t find this specific flavor of lemonade, you can use equal parts Blue Kool-Aid and lemonade. Mix the two, and still use the suggested 1 oz in this drink.
You can also use Blue Hawaiian, blue flavor drinks, or blue sports drinks (like Gatorade).
Make a Sugar-Free Blue Cocktail
Instead of using the Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade, pair Zero Sugar Minute Maid Lemonade with the Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid mix.
You can also swap the Sprite for a zero-sugar version.
You will also want to use a sugar-free Blue Curacao syrup. You can use sugar-free Blue Raspberry syrup if you can’t find that.
What are some other Blue Drink combinations to try?
- Blue Kool Aid and Hypnotiq Shots
- Faygo Cotton Candy and 1800 Tequila Shots
- Blue Margarita using tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Blue Martini using vodka, blue curaçao, and dry vermouth,
- Blue Hawaiian uses rum, blue curaçao, rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut.
- Blueberry Lemonade Mocktail using blueberry syrup, lemonade, and soda water.
- Ocean Breeze Mocktail using a blue sports drink, pineapple juice, and Sprite.
- Try the Honolulu Blue cocktail made by Coppercraft.
Food Pairings for this Tequila Cocktail
Try these recipes for an excellent sip-and-bite combo! [featured above is antipasto skewers]
In the last few years, we’ve seen some changes that showed the potential, a bright future, and a chance to finally go to the Super Bowl (thanks to the head coach for turning this team around).
While we don’t live in the city of Detroit, the energy and excitement about being in this moment are felt all around the state.
Yes, it’s a good day to be a Michigander.
Info: The Detroit Lions will play in the NFC Championship game on January 28th, 2024. This game kicks off at 6:30 pm EST.
Cheers and Go, Lions!
Try These Recipes:
Honolulu Blue Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz of 1800 Tequila
- 2 oz of Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 1 oz of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade
- top off with Lemon-Lime Soda
- ice
- slice of lemon
Instructions
- Add ice, 2 ounces of tequila, 2 ounces of blue Curacao, and 1 ounce of blue calypso ocean lemonade into a cocktail mixing glass.
- Stir vigorously for thirty seconds.
- Add ice to a serving glass and pour mixture into the glass.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda and add a slice of lemon.
- Cheers!
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