DeKuyper Blue Curacao Liqueur

While its bright blue coloring is somewhat misleading (re: food dye), blue curaçao is actually an orange-flavored liqueur; the bright, citrus profile comes from a species of orange (called Lahara fruit) grown on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Blue curaçao recipes use the Lahara fruit peels rather than the juice — the peel contains the fruit’s essential oils, which creates a much more intense, concentrated orange flavor. This blue treat tastes very similar to triple sec (though you might notice a slightly more bitter flavor). The two can easily substitute for one another in popular tropical cocktail recipes.

Depending on the brand, a bottle of blue curaçao will contain between 20-40% alcohol (DeKuyper’s Blue Curaçao clocks in at 24% ABV). Traditionally, curaçao was made using brandy (which has an ABV between 35-60%), but blue curaçao is typically much lighter on the booze. In fact, most varieties of blue curaçao rely on a neutral sugar cane alcohol that’s then augmented with citrus ingredients and blue dye. Blue Curaçao’s bright coloring makes it look like a flavored syrup, so many don’t realize that it’s actually a liqueur and contains moderate alcohol content.

While the two liqueurs are technically different, you can easily substitute blue curaçao for a triple sec (or vice versa) in a cocktail recipe; if using triple sec, you might consider adding a touch of blue food dye as well to achieve the turquoise appeal of blue curaçao-based beverages. Both blue curaçao and triple sec fall into the category of orange liqueurs made from neutral sugar-based alcohol distilled with orange peels. Triple Sec differs slightly in its distillation process and tends to be a little sweeter than blue curaçao (not to mention triple sec lacks the latter’s blue hue).

For hosts who love a tropical cocktail, you might consider gifting a bottle of blue curaçao for their home bar; blue curaçao is very affordable and certainly a fun ingredient, but it’s not typically a standalone spirit. Instead, consider gifting a bottle of blue curaçao alongside a nice vodka and some fresh lemon juice (all available on Drizly, by the way), and mix up some Blue Lagoons for the party. You might also consider gifting a bottle for a housewarming soiree since blue curaçao and other flavored liqueurs make an entertaining addition to a home liquor cabinet.