Blue Curacao – blue orange liqueur from the Caribbean

Blue Curacao liqueur is one of the most famous variations of Triple Sec orange liqueur. The blue drink is made from the dried peel of a special variety of bitter orange – larah, which grows only in the Caribbean. The strength of the drink is 30 degrees.

Historical information

Laraja is not an autochthonous Caribbean fruit, its ancestor was the Valencian orange, brought to the island by the Spaniards in 1527. Citrus could not fully take root in dry, infertile soil and degenerated into small bitter fruits. It is impossible to eat larahu, but the fragrant zest is used in cooking.

There are two conflicting versions of the origin of Blue Curacao. Dutch liqueur manufacturer Lucas Bols claims credit for the invention belongs to their founder, Lucas Bols. The entrepreneur explained the blue color as a “secret alchemical element”, claimed that he did not use dyes, and called the liquor Crème de Ciel (heavenly cream). On the other hand, the Curaçao-based Senior Company claims that it was their first director, Edgar Senior, who developed the liquor recipe in 1896.

To this day, Senior Company is the only manufacturer to use Curaçao-grown lahara fruit in the recipe, which is why Senior Company products are labeled genuine.

It is not known who first came up with the idea of ​​coloring the colorless liquor, but references to “blue” or “orange” Curaçao date back to the 1920s. Most likely, this was done in order to make the drink look more picturesque in cocktails.

Curacao production technology

The peel of the larakhi is placed in jute bags, spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg) are added, poured with warmed wine alcohol and kept for three days. Then the resulting infusion is distilled, sugar is added, diluted with water and filtered. So it turns out alcohol with a pronounced orange flavor and a slight bitterness. The drink itself is colorless, the desired color is given by special dyes.

Some manufacturers use dyes based on anthocyanins, natural pigments found in many flowers and berries, such as elderberry. Others use cheaper chemical analogues: E131, E132, E133. Information about the composition and dyes is indicated on the label.

An interesting fact: the larahi plantation on the island of Curaçao consists of only 45 trees, which produce no more than 35 kg of peel per year. The fruits are harvested by hand, still unripe, and the skin is cut only with a wooden knife so as not to affect the taste of citrus.

Types of Curacao liqueurs

• Triple sec (triple dry) – a colorless liqueur made from the zest of larahi or bitter oranges (depending on the manufacturer). Fortress – 30%
• Blue Curacao is the blue version of the liqueur. The composition includes not only bitter zest, but also sweet orange essence. Producers claim that the very name of the drink alludes to the crystal clear waters and bottomless blue skies of the Caribbean. Fortress 30%.
• Orange Curacao is an orange liqueur. It goes well with mango juice, Scotch whiskey. Fortress 30%.
• Red Curacao, Green Curacao. Red and green liqueurs are less common and are just a tinted version of Triple Sec. Often used in cocktails as an alternative to Cointreau or “triple dry” to make the drink “festier” without changing the taste. Fortress 30%.
• Rum Raisin Curacao – made on the basis of the usual Triple Sec, but the composition includes raisin tincture on rum. The fortress is 25%.
• Coffee Curacao – a strength of 25%, in addition to orange peel, the recipe includes coffee bean extract. It is used as a digestif (alcohol after a meal).
• Chocolate Curacao is a sweet liqueur with a strength of 25% based on Triple Sec with the addition of cocoa extract. Good for cocktails as well as for pure use.

Famous brands of Blue Curacao

Although Seniors Company has the exclusive right to label its Blue Curacao with the word “genuine”, there are other manufacturers:

• Bols (Bolz);
• De Kuyper;
• Wenneker;
• Bvland.

How to drink Curacao

Liqueur can be drunk in its pure form with ice or after cooling the bottle in the refrigerator. Fruits or desserts are served with the drink.

Also, any of the variations can be added to coffee or tea, diluted with juice or lemonade in any proportion.

Most often, blue liquor is used in cocktails.

Cocktails with Curacao

1. Blue Margarita – 1 part Blue Curacao, 2 parts tequila, 4 parts lemon juice mixed in a shaker. Take a Margarita glass, moisten the rim with lemon juice, dip in salt. Pour cocktail into glass, garnish with lime zest.
2. Blue Lagoon – one part vodka and Blue Curacao, ½ part lemon juice and ice mix in a shaker, pour into a glass, add a little Sprite or 7-up to taste, garnish with a lime wedge or strawberries.
3. Blue Hawaii – one part white rum and Blue Curacao, 2 parts coconut cream, pineapple juice to taste. Mix everything in a blender, pour into a tall glass filled with ice cubes.
4. Cucumber delight – three parts Orange Curacao, one part lime and gin juice, 8 large cucumber slices. Mix everything in a shaker, pour into a glass, decorate with another slice.
5. Mai Tai – One part Triple Sec, 2 parts dark rum, three parts each of pineapple and orange juice, golden rum, ½ part lime juice, 1 drop of grenadine. Mix everything in a shaker, pour into a glass filled with ice, garnish with an orange slice.