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This eye-catching Strawberry Blue Hawaiian drink turns regular get-togethers into a beachy getaway. The amazing blend of deep blue and bright red creates a stunning drink that tastes just as good as it looks. I first whipped this up for a backyard pool bash, and now everyone asks for it whenever we hang out.
I came up with this drink while playing around with tiki cocktails, wanting to capture vacation vibes with a fresh spin. The way the colors and flavors work together has made this my go-to when I've got friends over who want something more exciting than the usual drinks.
What You'll Need
- Strawberry purée: Blended fresh strawberries give you that bright red bottom layer and sweet fruity kick
- Blanco tequila: Brings a fresh agave taste that works as the backbone try to grab a 100% agave brand for the best flavor
- Blue curaçao: Gives that amazing blue color and adds sweet orange hints
- Cream of coconut: Adds that island richness and smooth feel don't mix this up with coconut cream or you'll miss the sweetness
- Pineapple juice: Brings tropical sweetness and depth fresh is best but good canned stuff works too
- Lime juice: Cuts through sweetness and makes all flavors pop squeeze it fresh for best results
- Ice: Whether smashed or in cubes, it chills and waters down the drink just enough
How To Make It
- Get Everything Ready:
- Put all your stuff together before you start. Measure everything carefully with proper tools. This makes sure you can put your drink together smoothly and get those pretty layers.
- Start With Strawberry:
- Put strawberry purée at the bottom of your glass. Make sure it's thick enough to hold up the blue part but not so thick you can't drink it. About half an ounce works great.
- Mix The Blue Stuff:
- Fill your shaker all the way with ice. Pour in tequila, blue curaçao, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and lime juice. Don't worry about what goes in first since you'll shake it all together anyway.
- Shake It Good:
- Put the lid on tight and shake hard for about 15 seconds. Good shaking doesn't just make it cold, it also waters it down just right and mixes the flavors. You'll know it's ready when the outside of the shaker gets frosty.
- Make Those Layers:
- Slowly pour the blue mix over the back of a spoon into your glass with the strawberry purée. This slows down the pour so the blue floats on top of the red. Take your time for the best-looking layers.
- Add The Finishing Touch:
- Stick a strawberry slice on the edge, add a chunk of pineapple, and top with a bit of mint. These extras make it smell great and give hints about what's in your drink.
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I stumbled on this pouring trick by chance while testing different ways to make drinks, and now I use it for lots of layered cocktails I create.
Choosing The Right Glass
Using the best glass really makes this drink look and taste better. Tall hurricane glasses or tumblers show off those dramatic color layers beautifully. For special events, try cooling the glasses in the fridge first to keep your drink cold longer and stop the ice from melting too fast. The tall shape also gives you room to get creative with your garnishes, letting you build a mini tropical scene on top.
Customize It
You can easily tweak this drink to match what you like. Want it less sweet? Just cut back on the cream of coconut to half an ounce and add a bit more lime. Love tequila flavor? Try using reposado instead of blanco for more richness and complexity. You can also switch up the fruit at the bottom – raspberries look just as striking, while mango offers another tropical taste that works well. What's great about this drink is you can change it around while still keeping that wow factor.
Foods That Go Great With It
This Strawberry Blue Hawaiian tastes amazing with light snacks and tropical foods. Serve it with coconut shrimp, fresh ceviche, or grilled pineapple chunks for flavors that work together. The sweetness in the drink also tastes great against spicy bites like jalapeño poppers or Thai snacks. For something sweet after, go with simple cookies like shortbread or coconut macaroons that won't fight with all the flavors in your glass.
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This drink always wows people with its bright colors and vacation flavors. It might end up being your favorite choice for all your fun gatherings!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Absolutely! Swap out the tequila for lemon-lime soda and use a blue syrup or sports drink instead of blue curaçao. You'll still get those fun, dramatic layers.
- → What other liquors can I try?
If tequila’s not your thing, go for white rum or vodka. Each one will give the drink a unique twist while keeping the colorful layers intact.
- → What’s the easiest way to make strawberry purée?
Just blend a cup of fresh, hulled strawberries until smooth. Feel free to strain it if you like it silkier, and add a dash of sugar if the berries aren’t naturally sweet enough.
- → What exactly is cream of coconut?
It's a thick, sweetened coconut product (like Coco Lopez) designed for drinks. Don’t mix it up with regular coconut milk or cream—they aren't as sugary and will change the drink’s taste and texture.
- → Why can’t I get the layers to stay separate?
Pour the blue liquid gently onto the back of a spoon hovering over the strawberry mix. The liquids’ densities create the layers, so take it slow and make sure the strawberry's at the bottom first.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Sure thing! Prep the blue mix and the strawberry purée in advance and keep them in the fridge. Just layer everything together right before serving for the freshest taste and the best visual effect.