Make Your Drinks Shine with Blue Curacao Syrup Recipe

Blue Curaçao syrup is more than just a vibrant hue; it’s a sweet and citrusy elixir that transforms ordinary drinks into extraordinary concoctions. A staple in many cocktail bars, this syrup can easily find a home in your own drink station. While store-bought options exist, creating your own syrup offers a unique advantage: customization. 

What is Blue Curacao Syrup

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility; you can create a non-alcoholic version that mimics the Blue Curaçao liquor perfectly. The secret? A balanced blend of orange extract and a hint of bitterness for that authentic finish. Trust me, once you master this syrup, you’ll be whipping up crowd-pleasers like the Blue Hawaiian and Blue Lagoon Mocktail in no time. 

Blue Curacao Syrup Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients for our Blue Curaçao syrup recipe. You can find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick rundown:

1. To capture the taste of Blue Curaçao, we’re aiming for an orange taste. Traditionally made from Lahara, a citrus descendant of the orange, this bitter fruit gives the syrup its distinctive flavor. We’ll be using orange peel, including the pith, to infuse that orange flavor and subtle bitterness into our syrup.
2. White sugar or granulated cane sugar is essential. You can use raw sugar, beet sugar, or pure cane sugar, but avoid light brown sugar as it may change the flavor. The amount of sugar is large, but remember, this syrup is meant to be sweet.
3. Some citric acid or lemon juice adds tanginess and balances out its sweetness. So for this recipe, less than half a lemon would do fine. Alternately, use lime juice if you do not have lemons in your kitchen.
4. That little bottle of blue dropper from your pantry or any food coloring brand will work perfectly. This recipe uses liquid food coloring measurements; however, if gel coloring is being used, then go by instincts.

The Perfect Sugar-to-Water Ratio for Simple Syrup

The sugar-to-water ratio in a simple syrup typically involves equal parts water and sugar. This is often measured by volume – think 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water. However, volume can be less consistent than measuring by weight. When weighing, you’ll find there’s about 40g more water than sugar per cup. Don’t fret though; this slight difference doesn’t make much difference in your recipe.

Equipments You’ll Need

To make non-alcoholic Blue Curaçao syrup recipe, you’ll need a few basic kitchen items:

• Small saucepan: For heating the syrup mixture.
• Muslin cloth: To strain the syrup.
• Glass bowl: To catch the strained syrup.
• Glass jar: To store the finished syrup.

How to Make Homemade Blue Curaçao Syrup

• To make your own Blue Curacao syrup, start by using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to peel the skin of an orange. Make sure to include some of the orange pith, as this brings in the characteristic bitterness.
• Combine the orange peel with sugar. Rub the sugar and peel together to release those aromatic orange oils. Transfer it to a medium saucepan, then add water and citric acid to the mix.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat until the mixture starts simmering. Lower heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes, or until the sugar dissolved.

• After removing from heat, allow the orange to steep in the syrup as it cools to room temperature. Once cooled, pour the mixture through a muslin cloth into a glass bowl.
• Now comes the fun part – adding the blue food coloring. Go a tiny bit at a time until you achieve the color you like. Remember, authentic Blue Curaçao has a brilliant, deep blue hue, but it appears lighter when mixed in drinks.
• Finally, pour your homemade Blue Curacao syrup into a clean glass jar or airtight container. It’ll store well in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Note: Your homemade syrup may have a darker blue color and might not be quite as clear as commercial Blue Curaçao like Torani Syrup or Monin Syrup. This is because we’re using fresh orange juice. The color and clarity will be different from store-bought blue syrup. If you want your syrup to look more like store-bought, try reducing the juice of one orange before adding it to the mix.

Ways to use this Blue Curacao Syrup

Blue Curaçao syrup is incredibly versatile. You can use it to sweeten and flavor countless cocktails and mocktails. A simple way to start making blue curacao syrup cocktails is to mix a splash into a glass of lemonade for a refreshing Blue Curaçao Lemonade.

You can also use it to make classic drinks like the Blue Lagoon or a Blue Curaçao margarita. Add plenty of ice for a refreshing twist. Or, try a Blue Hawaiian or a delicious blue Curaçao martini. Mix it with pineapple juice and club soda for a non-alcoholic tropical blue drink. It’s even excellent as a flavor for snow cones.

Would you like to try a different flavor of syrup?

While Blue Curaçao syrup is a vibrant and versatile option, there’s a whole world of flavors waiting to be explored. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Mocha Sauce: Rich, chocolatey, and coffee-flavored.
• Sugar Cookie Syrup: Sweet and buttery, perfect for desserts.
• Gingerbread Syrup: Warm and spicy, reminiscent of the holiday season.
• Lavender Simple Syrup: Delicate floral notes for a unique twist.
• Caramel Syrup: Classic and indulgent, perfect for coffee or cocktails.
• Irish Cream Syrup: Creamy and indulgent, with a hint of Irish whiskey.

Storage

Your homemade syrup should be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a month. For long-term storage, you can freeze the syrup for up to 3 months.

Final Words

With a little effort and the right ingredients, you can create a delicious homemade Blue Curaçao syrup that will elevate your drinks. Experiment with different flavors and enjoy the satisfaction of crafting your own unique concoctions. Happy mixing!

FAQs about Blue Curacao Syrup

What Kind Of Oranges Should I Use?

For making Blue Curaçao syrup, you’ll want to use a Navel orange. These oranges have a good balance of sweetness and bitterness, which is essential for capturing the authentic flavor of Blue Curaçao. Cara Cara oranges are also delicious to use in this homemade syrup.

Is Using Blue Food Coloring Really Necessary?

While not strictly necessary, blue food coloring helps achieve the iconic blue hue of Blue Curaçao. However, if you prefer a natural color, you could experiment with butterfly pea flower tea for a vibrant blue tint.

Does blue curacao syrup go bad?

Properly stored Blue Curaçao syrup can last for about a month in the refrigerator. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off odor, discard it.

What do you do with blue curacao syrup?

Blue Curaçao syrup is a versatile ingredient. You can use it to:

• Sweeten and flavor cocktails
• Create mocktails
• Make blue lemonade
• Flavor ice cream or sorbet
• Drizzle over pancakes or waffles

What does curaçao syrup taste like?

Blue Curaçao syrup has a sweet orange flavor with a hint of bitterness. It’s the base for many popular tropical cocktails.

Should blue curacao be refrigerated?

Yes, it’s recommended to refrigerate Blue Curaçao syrup to maintain its quality and prevent spoilage.

Is there alcohol in blue curacao syrup?

The homemade Blue Curaçao syrup recipe provided in this article does not contain alcohol. However, commercial Blue Curaçao liqueur does contain alcohol.

Is there a difference between blue curaçao and blue curaçao liqueur?

Yes, there’s a difference. Blue Curaçao liqueur is an alcoholic beverage made with Curaçao orange peel, while Blue Curaçao syrup is a non-alcoholic sweetener and flavoring.

Does blue curacao have sugar?

Yes, Blue Curaçao syrup contains sugar, which is essential for its sweet taste.

What gives blue curacao its color?

Traditionally, Blue Curaçao gets its color from the Curaçao orange peel, but in homemade versions, blue food coloring is often used to achieve the desired hue.

What does blue curacao taste like non alcoholic?

Non-alcoholic Blue Curaçao syrup has a sweet orange flavor with a subtle bitterness. It’s a popular choice for creating mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.

Blue Curacao Syrup Recipe

Recipe by Raise Your GlassCourse: Syrups

Servings

15

yield

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Steeping Time

60

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Unleash the tropical vibes with homemade Blue Curacao syrup! Simple ingredients, bold blue color, and endless cocktail possibilities await. 🍹✨

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• Peel from 2 oranges, with the pith

• 1 ½ cups water

• 1/4 tsp citric acid or 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

• Blue food color

Directions

• To make your own Blue Curacao syrup, start by using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to peel the skin of an orange. Make sure to include some of the orange pith, as this brings in the characteristic bitterness.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the orange peel with sugar. Rub the sugar and peel together to release those aromatic orange oils. Then add water and citric acid to the mix. Place the saucepan over medium heat until the mixture starts simmering. Lower heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes, or until the sugar dissolved.
• After removing from heat, allow the orange to steep in the syrup as it cools to room temperature. Once cooled, pour the mixture through a muslin cloth into a glass bowl.
• Now comes the fun part – adding the blue food coloring. Go a tiny bit at a time until you achieve the color you like. Remember, authentic Blue Curaçao has a brilliant, deep blue hue, but it appears lighter when mixed in drinks.
• Finally, pour your homemade Blue Curacao syrup into a clean glass jar or airtight container. It’ll store well in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Notes

• Your homemade syrup may have a darker blue color and might not be quite as clear as commercial Blue Curaçao like Torani Syrup or Monin Syrup. This is because we’re using fresh orange juice. The color and clarity will be different from store-bought blue syrup. If you want your syrup to look more like store-bought, try reducing the juice of one orange before adding it to the mix.
• Your homemade syrup should be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a month. For long-term storage, you can freeze the syrup for up to 3 months.