Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Vodka
- .5 oz Triple Sec
- .25 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
Instructions
Shake Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, triple sec, and blue curacao.
Strain:
- Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a flamed orange peel on the glass.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The exact origin of the Blue Monday Cocktail is as hazy as many other colorful bar creations from the mid to late 20th century. Blue drinks often popped up as a way to add visual flair to menus, driven by the availability of vibrant liqueurs like blue curacao. It's safe to say this drink likely emerged from a bartender’s desire to brighten up a shift, or a customer’s request for “something blue.”
This cocktail sits comfortably in the family of vodka-based orange liqueurs sours, much like a simpler version of a Blue Lagoon, which typically adds lemonade. It shares DNA with other colorful concoctions that prioritize visual appeal alongside a sweet, citrusy flavor profile, differing by its streamlined ingredient list and potent alcohol content.
You’d typically find a drink like this in a casual bar, a resort lounge, or at a themed party where the visual impact is as important as the taste. It is a crowd-pleaser for those who enjoy sweet, approachable cocktails, not a drink you’d usually find on a meticulously crafted speakeasy menu.
What it tastes like
The Blue Monday Cocktail hits with a clear, clean vodka base upfront, quickly followed by the pronounced sweet and bitter orange notes from the triple sec and blue curacao. It's a spirit-forward drink, with the orange liqueurs providing the primary flavor and a pleasant, slightly dry citrus finish that lingers. The flamed orange peel adds a subtle aromatic top note, enhancing the overall orange character.
This drink packs a punch. With 1.5 oz of 80-proof vodka, 0.5 oz of 40-proof triple sec, and 0.25 oz of 40-proof blue curacao, the total alcohol content is around 0.75 oz of pure alcohol in a 2.25 oz drink. This puts it at roughly 33% ABV, making it significantly stronger than a standard beer and on the potent side for a cocktail due to minimal dilution from non-alcoholic mixers.
The technique
Building a Blue Monday Cocktail is simple: combine the vodka, triple sec, and blue curacao in a shaker with ice. Shake it hard until the shaker is well frosted, ensuring maximum chill and proper dilution. Strain the vibrant blue liquid into a pre-chilled cocktail glass, like a coupe or martini glass, to keep it cold longer. Finish with a flamed orange peel for an aromatic flourish.
The most critical technique here is the shake. You need a vigorous, short, and effective shake to chill the drink quickly and introduce enough water without over-diluting. An under-shaken drink will be warm and too spirit-forward, while an over-shaken drink will taste watery and muted. Aim for about 10-15 seconds of solid shaking to get it just right.
Drink Buddy Exclusive
Tell us what's in your cabinet.
Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.
Open the Builder →Get the Drink Buddy newsletter
One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.
Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- Use
- Any clean, neutral vodka works well here. Brands like Smirnoff, Absolut, or Tito’s provide a smooth base without introducing unwanted flavors.
- Skip
- Heavily flavored vodkas or harsh, bottom-shelf spirits. They will detract from the clean orange profile and make the drink less enjoyable.
- Why
- Vodka is the primary spirit, providing the alcoholic backbone. Its neutrality allows the orange liqueurs to shine without competition.
Blue Curacao Liqueur
- Use
- Bols Blue Curacao is a common choice. Senior & Co. Curacao of Curacao offers a more authentic, albeit less intensely blue, option. Giffard also makes a quality version.
- Skip
- Avoid non-alcoholic blue syrups or food coloring with plain orange liqueur. You lose the crucial bitter orange flavor and the alcoholic kick that Blue Curacao provides.
- Why
- This ingredient is responsible for both the signature vibrant blue color and the essential bitter orange flavor that defines the Blue Monday Cocktail.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Blue Lagoon
- Taller, brighter, and more refreshing.
- Swap the Triple Sec for fresh lemon juice and top with lemonade or soda water for a longer, less potent drink.
Blue Hawaiian
- A tropical, creamy twist.
- Introduce light rum instead of vodka, add pineapple juice and a splash of cream of coconut for a richer, beach-ready version.
Electric Blue
- A gin-based, more aromatic blue drink.
- Substitute gin for vodka, add a touch of fresh lemon juice and simple syrup to complement the botanicals and Blue Curacao.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Light rum or a clean gin can work, though the flavor profile will shift slightly.
Cointreau or another orange liqueur will work perfectly. If truly desperate, a dash of orange juice and simple syrup can mimic the sweetness and citrus, but lacks depth.
Regular orange curacao or another orange liqueur will provide the flavor, but you will lose the distinctive blue color. A tiny drop of blue food coloring can be added for visual effect if using a clear orange liqueur.
Stir the ingredients with ice in any suitable container, like a mixing glass or pint glass, for about 30 seconds. Strain into your chilled glass. You’ll get less aeration, but it will still be cold and mixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blue Monday Cocktail?
A Blue Monday Cocktail contains vodka, triple sec, and blue curacao liqueur.
Why is it called Blue Monday?
The name likely refers to its vibrant blue color, offering a visual pick-me-up for what is traditionally considered the most depressing day of the week.
Is the Blue Monday Cocktail strong?
Yes, it is a spirit-forward drink with a relatively high alcohol content for its volume, typically around 33% ABV. It’s more potent than many standard cocktails.
What does Blue Curacao taste like?
Blue Curacao tastes like sweet and bitter oranges, similar to Triple Sec, but with a distinctive blue color added.
What kind of glass should I use?
It is typically served in a chilled cocktail glass, such as a coupe or martini glass, to showcase its color and maintain its temperature.
Can I make a batch of Blue Monday Cocktails?
Yes, you can scale up the recipe, combine the ingredients, and keep the mixture chilled. Pour over ice or into chilled glasses as needed, shaking individual servings for optimal dilution and chill.
Is it a sweet drink?
Yes, it leans towards the sweeter side due to the orange liqueurs, but the alcohol and slight bitterness from the curacao provide some balance.
What’s the difference between Blue Curacao and Triple Sec?
Both are orange liqueurs. Triple Sec generally refers to a drier style of orange liqueur. Blue Curacao is a specific type of curacao liqueur, known for its vibrant blue color, which is added during production. They share similar bitter orange flavor profiles.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family when the night calls for them.
