What Flavor Is Blue Curacao?

If you’ve ever seen someone drinking a blue cocktail that looks like it belongs on a barber’s shelf, you’ve seen a drink made with blue curacao. Its bright blue shade makes it a striking ingredient, especially since just about every other blue liquid is not really suited for drinking. (At least, not without calling poison control first.) But what is blue curacao? If you’ve been sitting in the club, wondering exactly what that delicious blue stuff is and what it tastes like, here are the answers about blue curacao you’ve been looking for. 

What does blue curacao taste like? 

Oranges. 

Really? That’s what blue curacao tastes like?

Yep. Curacao has a slightly bittersweet, citrusy flavor that’s often described as tasting like oranges. It’s kinda similar to other orange liqueurs like Triple Sec or Cointreau. 

What is blue curacao made of? 

Blue curacao is made from a citrus fruit called the Lahara, also known as the Curaçao orange, named for the Caribbean island where they originally grew, Curaçao. Lahara actually evolved from Seville orange trees planted by early settlers, although the current fruit is too tough and bitter to be edible on its own. 

Blue curacao is made by soaking Laharan fruit in water and alcohol, before distilling it with added spices. And most versions are naturally gluten-free. (Although you should always check the label to make sure.) 

Why is blue curacao blue?  

Blue curacao isn’t naturally blue, but has blue food coloring added. Typically a coloring called “Brilliant Blue FCF.” Nobody is actually sure when they started coloring the drink blue. But we do know that Bols, a Curaçao manufacturer that’s still in business today, started selling it in 1912 as “Crème de Ciel” or “cream of the sky.” 

As for why, it was probably just to draw in new drinkers. (I mean, that’s why we’re talking about it now, right?) Although it could also be because of a tie-in to a popular musical, as Bol’s original “cream of the sky” name was a reference to the 1907 British musical Miss Hook of Holland, which featured the story of a woman who created a fabulous new liqueur with the same name. And what better way to make Curaçao appear to be that amazing fictional drink than to make it sky blue? 

Is there a difference between regular curacao and blue curacao? 

Actually, yes. Since blue curacao is often used for coloring and mixed with other spirits, it tends to have a lower alcohol volume than the regular stuff. And while it varies from brand to brand, typically blue curacao will run around 25% alcohol by volume, while regular curacao tends to be between 30 and 40%. 

What is blue curacao syrup? 

Blue curacao syrup is the non-alcoholic version of blue curacao liqueur. It’s also made from Lahara fruit, so it has the same slightly bitter orange flavor as the regular stuff, just without the alcohol. And since it has the same bright blue color, it’s often mixed into drinks to get the same blue coloring without any added alcohol. 

Does blue curacao go bad?

If you leave it sealed, the alcohol content in curacao will give it a long shelf life, with some sources saying it’ll last for ten years or more. However, once it’s opened, most agree that it’ll lose its flavor after one or two years. And they recommend storing any opened container in a fridge to help it last longer. (And failing that, keep it in a cool, dry place.)