August is getting very near, and with it, thoughts and memories of holidays at the seashore, with an emerald sea, a bright blue sky…
Oh, so sorry dear guest! I guess I am getting dreamy here. But thinking of the sea – or with today’s heat any nice blue pool of water would really do – I cannot help but telling you about one of the most colourful cocktails I have had the pleasure to prepare. The Blue Lagoon is a fairly popular cocktail in summer, and I personally consider it a great addition to any pool party by day or night. Bartender lore sometimes credits the legendary French impressionist painter Paul Gauguin with inventing this drink, during his years spent on the island of Tahiti in the early 1890s. Though this version has never been verified, I like to think that it makes for a nice story.
Now here is the occasion to prepare it together. Let’s gather the ingredients:
- 2oz (6cl) vodka
- 1oz (3cl) Blue Curacao
- 2oz (6cl) pineapple juice or lemonade (depending how fruity or sugary you wish to have your cocktail)
- 1 pineapple piece or lemon slice cut into a triangle (depending on your choice of fruit background)
Gather of all your ingredients in a shaker (except for the pineapple or lemon piece). Shake well, for about 10 seconds. Pour in a chilled long drink glass, and finally decorate with the pineapple or lemon triangle.
Now, the Blue lagoon is one of the cocktails I know for which I have seen the greatest number of variations. As you saw earlier, two schools of thought exist between the choices of pineapple or lemon as a background taste. It is also not uncommon for bartenders, depending on the hour of the day, to reinforce the strength of the drink by adding splashes of an extra component. With pineapple juice, I would recommend around 4 splashes of Triple Sec. With lemonade, a known variation consists in adding a splash of lime cordial to the mix. Be mindful though! Keep an eye on the strength of your drinks, especially if your guests are enjoying them around a pool.
Are you ready? If not, do take a look at this video below which will help you recreate the different steps of this drink in time for your next summer party. You now have one more drink to make this the most fashionable and colourful party in your neighborhood! And by all means let me know how you chose to prepare it, and how your guests enjoyed it. Have a great party!
Charly's Bar 