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Blue Sunset Drink recipe

Cocktail glass

Shake up your bartending skills with a vibrant Blue Sunset drink recipe featuring Tequila, Blue Curacao, and zesty Orange juice. This refreshing cocktail is easy to whip up with a juicer or squeezer, and a splash of 7 Up and Sweet and Sour mix for the perfect balance of flavors. Impress your guests with this stunning drink at your next gathering!


Blue Sunset Ingredients

Blue Sunset Equipment

  • juicer, squeezer manual or automatic - if you mind using fresh juice

Blue Sunset Recipe

  1. optionally make fresh Orange juice you can squeeze the juice yourself (once squeezed, fresh juice lasts good about 12 hours)
  2. mix the ingredients together with ice
  3. serve in glass

The Blue Sunset Cocktail: A Refreshing and Versatile Drink

Are you craving for a refreshing drink that combines the sweet and sour flavors of citrus fruits with an exotic blue hue? Look no further than the Blue Sunset cocktail, a popular drink that has been enjoyed by many for years. In this blog post, we will explore the popularity, ingredients, garnishing, variations, and common mistakes when making this cocktail.

Popularity

The Blue Sunset cocktail has a long history, dating back to the 1930s when the first blue curaçao liqueur was produced in the Caribbean island of Curaçao. The liqueur, made from the peels of the laraha citrus fruit, was originally clear but later infused with a blue dye to make it more visually appealing.

The Blue Sunset cocktail gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s as a tropical drink served in Tiki bars and resorts in the United States. The drink is known for its vibrant blue color, reminiscent of a clear sky or a tranquil ocean at sunset.

The Blue Sunset cocktail is typically made with tequila, blue curaçao, orange juice, sweet and sour mix, and 7 Up. The combination of tequila and blue curaçao provides a potent mix of alcohol and fruity flavors, while the orange juice and sweet and sour mix add a tangy and sweet taste. The 7 Up soda gives the drink a fizzy texture and a hint of lemon-lime flavor.

Ingredient Roles

Let's take a closer look at the roles of each ingredient in the Blue Sunset cocktail:

  • Tequila: The base spirit of the Blue Sunset cocktail, tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the blue agave plant grown in Mexico. Tequila adds a smoky and earthy flavor to the drink and is the primary source of alcohol in the cocktail.
  • Blue Curacao: Blue curaçao is a blue-colored liqueur made from the dried peels of the laraha citrus fruit, which is grown on the island of Curaçao. The liqueur adds a sweet and bitter taste to the drink and gives it its distinctive blue color.
  • Orange Juice: Orange juice is a common ingredient in many cocktails and adds a tangy and sweet flavor to the Blue Sunset cocktail. The acidity of the juice also balances out the sweetness of the blue curaçao and sweet and sour mix.
  • Sweet and Sour Mix: Sweet and sour mix is a premade cocktail mixer that combines simple syrup, lemon juice, and lime juice. The mix adds a sweet and tart taste to the drink and helps to balance the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • 7 Up: 7 Up is a lemon-lime flavored soda that adds a fizzy texture and a hint of citrus to the Blue Sunset cocktail. The soda also helps to dilute the alcohol content of the drink.

How to Garnish

Garnishing is an essential part of making cocktails, as it adds visual appeal and enhances the flavors of the drink. Here are some tips on how to garnish a Blue Sunset cocktail:

  • Orange Slice: Cut a thin slice of orange and place it on the rim of the glass or float it on top of the drink. The orange slice adds a citrusy aroma to the drink and complements the orange juice in the cocktail.
  • Lemon Wedge: Squeeze a wedge of lemon into the drink and drop it in the glass. The lemon adds a tangy flavor and acidity to the drink, balancing out the sweetness of the blue curaçao and sweet and sour mix.
  • Cherry: Add a maraschino cherry on top of the drink or skewer it with a toothpick and place it on the rim of the glass. The cherry adds a sweet and fruity taste to the drink and complements the blue curaçao liqueur.

Variations

The Blue Sunset cocktail is a versatile drink that can be modified to suit different dietary requirements and preferences. Here are some variations of the Blue Sunset cocktail:

  • Virgin/Mocktail Version: Omit the tequila from the recipe and add more 7 Up or orange juice to make a non-alcoholic version of the drink. This is perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavors of the cocktail without the alcohol content.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Ensure that the blue curaçao and sweet and sour mix do not contain any gluten-based ingredients. Substitute the 7 Up with a gluten-free soda such as Sprite or Fanta.
  • Vegan Version: Ensure that the blue curaçao and sweet and sour mix do not contain any animal-based ingredients such as honey or gelatin. Substitute the 7 Up with a vegan soda such as Sierra Mist or Zevia.
  • Keto Version: Replace the sweet and sour mix with a sugar-free mix made from stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Use a low-carb soda such as Diet Sprite or Zevia to reduce the carbohydrate content of the drink.
  • Low-Calorie Version: Omit the sweet and sour mix and use freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice instead. Replace the 7 Up with a low-calorie soda such as Diet 7 Up or Sprite Zero.

Common Mistakes when making

Making a Blue Sunset cocktail may seem simple, but there are some common mistakes that you should avoid to achieve the best results:

  • Using Low-Quality Ingredients: Using low-quality tequila or blue curaçao liqueur can affect the taste and appearance of the cocktail. Choose high-quality brands such as Jose Cuervo or Cointreau for the best results.
  • Using too much Sweet and Sour Mix: Adding too much sweet and sour mix can make the drink overly sweet and mask the flavors of the other ingredients. Use the recommended amount of mix or adjust to taste.
  • Skipping the Garnish: The garnish adds visual appeal and enhances the flavors of the cocktail. Don't skip this step, as it can make a big difference in the overall experience of the drink.

In conclusion, the Blue Sunset cocktail is a popular and versatile drink that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you prefer a classic version or a modified version that suits your dietary needs, the Blue Sunset cocktail is sure to satisfy your thirst for a refreshing and flavorful drink. So why not try making one today and see for yourself? Cheers!

If you are going to order Blue Sunset in a bar, don’t forget to mention all the ingredients to the bartender. Blue Sunset can be served with different ingredients in different places.