Name: Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 ½ oz pineapple juice; 1 ½ oz white rum; 1 oz cream of coconut; 1 oz blue curacao; Crushed ice; Fresh pineapple slices and maraschino cherries (for garnish)

This Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail is pure vacation-in-a-glass vibes—icy, creamy, and bursting with tropical flavor. If you’ve ever wished you were sipping something poolside with a pineapple wedge in hand, this drink delivers that feeling in five minutes flat. Made with white rum, sweet pineapple juice, blue curaçao, and cream of coconut, it’s a vibrant, island-inspired cocktail that looks as fun as it tastes.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails on serving tray with sliced pineapple and cherries around it on table

I love making this cocktail when we’re having friends over for a casual hangout or backyard cookout. It’s stunning in the glass, super simple to throw together, and always gets compliments. My husband calls it “the blue one,” and every time I make it, he’s asking for a second round before I’ve even finished mine. It’s a must-have for summer weekends, pool parties, or anytime you need to bring a little sunshine to your evening.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails on table with a close up of class to see the cherry in center of drink and pineapple wedge on side of glass

What Is a Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail?

The Blue Hawaiian is a tropical cocktail that originated in the 1950s and has become a beach-bar classic. Traditionally made with rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut, it’s known for its electric blue color and creamy, tropical taste. This frozen version is blended with crushed ice until smooth, giving it that irresistible slushy texture that’s extra refreshing.

The cream of coconut adds richness and a silky body, while the blue curaçao gives it that striking blue hue along with a subtle orange flavor. Combined with the rum and pineapple juice, it’s fruity, tangy, sweet, and just strong enough to remind you it’s a cocktail.

When to Serve

This cocktail is ideal for just about any warm-weather occasion, but here are a few of my favorite times to make it:

Poolside afternoons – It’s practically made for sipping in the sun.
Summer BBQs and cookouts – A fun, tropical drink to balance all the grilled goodness.
Girls’ night – It’s colorful, sweet, and a total crowd-pleaser.
Beach-themed parties – Serve in tiki glasses or hollowed-out pineapples for extra flair.
Date night at home – When you want to feel like you’re on vacation without leaving the house.

This cocktail also makes a fun signature drink for bridal showers, bachelorette parties, or birthday celebrations.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail on table with a pineapple and bottle of rum behind it on table

Why You’ll Love This Cocktail

This drink isn’t just pretty—it’s absolutely delicious. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your summer cocktail lineup:

Takes just 5 minutes to make – Throw everything in the blender and you’re done.
Only 5 main ingredients – No fancy bar tools or hard-to-find liqueurs.
Bold, tropical flavor – Pineapple, coconut, citrus, and rum in perfect balance.
Eye-catching presentation – That bright blue color with a pineapple slice and cherry garnish? Instant wow factor.
Super refreshing – The icy, slushy texture is just what you want on a hot day.

It’s one of those drinks that feels special without requiring any extra effort—which, let’s be honest, is the best kind of cocktail.

ingredients for Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail on table

Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s a closer look at what makes this frozen cocktail so delicious:

Pineapple Juice (2½ oz) – Brings natural sweetness and a bright tropical base.
White Rum (1½ oz) – Clean and crisp, it gives the drink its boozy backbone. You can also use light coconut rum (like Malibu) for a twist.
Cream of Coconut (1 oz) – Not to be confused with coconut milk! This thick, sweet ingredient makes the drink creamy and luscious.
Blue Curaçao (1 oz) – Adds a punch of citrus flavor (think orange liqueur) and that iconic electric blue color.
Crushed Ice – Blends everything into a smooth, slushy consistency.
Optional Garnishes – Pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries add the perfect finishing touch.

You can also jazz it up with a mini cocktail umbrella, fresh mint, or even serve it in a hollowed-out pineapple or coconut shell for a tiki bar experience.

side view of Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail in a blender on table with pineapple juice and whole pineapple behind it on table

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail in a blender with ingredients for drink behind it on table

Variations

Want to switch things up or tailor the drink to your preferences? Here are a few fun variations:

Make it boozier – Add an extra splash of rum or float dark rum on top for a layered look and deeper flavor.
Go creamier – Use a little coconut milk or half-and-half for an even richer texture.
Add banana – Toss in half a banana before blending for a tropical smoothie-style twist.
Make it a mocktail – Skip the rum and blue curaçao and use blue sports drink or soda with coconut cream and pineapple juice.
Use Malibu Rum – For a coconut-forward version that still gives you that beachy flavor.

The base is super flexible, so feel free to experiment and make it your own.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails in glasses on table with a whole pineapple in background and sliced pineapple around table

Troubleshooting

Here’s how to handle a few common issues that might pop up when making this cocktail:

Too thick? – Add a splash more pineapple juice or a little water and blend again.
Too runny? – Add more crushed ice and blend until the texture thickens.
Too sweet? – Use fresh pineapple juice or a splash of lime to cut the sweetness.
No cream of coconut? – You can sub sweetened condensed coconut milk or make your own blend with coconut milk + sugar, but it won’t be as rich.

Pro tip: serve it immediately after blending so the ice doesn’t melt and water it down.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail on table with bottle of rum and pineapple

Make-Ahead & Freezing Tips

If you’re prepping for a party or just want one ready after a long day, this drink is freezer-friendly!

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail topped with a paper straw, cherries and pineapple

Make-Ahead:

Blend all ingredients together.
Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze.
Let sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping or re-blending into a slushie consistency.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails with a rimmed glass of sugar

For Pitcher-Style Prep:

Scale up the ingredients for 4–6 servings.
Blend in batches or pour blended mix into a pitcher and keep chilled until serving.
Give it a stir before pouring to redistribute the ice and coconut.

You can also freeze leftovers into popsicle molds for adult tropical freezer pops!

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails on table with pineapples around the table

How to Make It a Party Showstopper

This cocktail is the perfect opportunity to create a themed drink station. Set out a tray with glasses, garnishes, cocktail napkins, and a sign that says “Frozen Blue Hawaiian – Sip, Chill, Repeat.”

Offer a few toppings or variations, like:

A splash of coconut rum for stronger flavor
Lime wedges for guests who want more acidity
A sugar or coconut flake rim for added flair

It’s the kind of drink that becomes a conversation piece at parties—guests will be asking for the recipe!

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails with coconut and pineapple around the glasses and straws

FAQ – Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail

What’s the difference between a Blue Hawaiian and a Blue Lagoon?

Great question! A Blue Hawaiian includes cream of coconut, giving it a creamy, tropical texture, while a Blue Lagoon is a lighter drink made with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade or lemon-lime soda. Think of the Blue Hawaiian as the richer, island-vacation version.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail on table with rum and fruit around it on table

Can I use Malibu coconut rum instead of white rum?

Yes! Malibu is a popular substitution in Blue Hawaiian cocktails for extra coconut flavor. It blends beautifully with the pineapple juice and cream of coconut for an even more coconut-forward drink.

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail on table with straw and cherry and pineapple behind it

What’s the best way to get the slushy texture?

Use crushed ice and a high-speed blender for the best results. Regular cubed ice may require more blending and could water it down. If your blender has a “frozen drink” or “smoothie” setting, use that.

view of blue cocktails in glass with a pineapple on side and cherry in center of glass and pineapple and rum in background

What can I substitute for blue curaçao?

Blue curaçao provides both color and flavor (a citrusy orange note). If you don’t have it:

Use Triple Sec + a drop or two of blue food coloring.
Or use another orange liqueur like Cointreau with coloring.
Keep in mind it won’t taste exactly the same, but it’ll be close.

pineapple and bacardi rum on table with a glass of Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail in it and a cherry and pineapple wedge in front of it

Non-Alcoholic Version (Kid-Friendly Too!)

Hosting a party where not everyone is drinking? No problem! You can still enjoy the tropical vibes of this creamy Frozen Blue Hawaiian without the booze — and it’s a guaranteed hit with kids too.

Here’s how to make a virgin Blue Hawaiian that keeps all the fun and flavor, minus the alcohol:

Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails in glasses with pineapple slices

Can I make this ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! Blend and pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 2 weeks. Let it sit out 10–15 minutes before serving, then scoop and stir. Alternatively, blend a fresh batch right before guests arrive and keep the blender pitcher in the fridge to re-stir.

view of Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail with umbrella and straw in glass sitting on a table with ingredients used in it scattered on table

What kind of glass should I serve it in?

It’s often served in hurricane glasses, tiki mugs, or margarita glasses, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. You can even get creative with a hollowed-out pineapple or coconut shell for tropical flair.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Yes! Just scale the ingredients and blend in batches depending on your blender’s size. For a pitcher-sized batch, multiply each ingredient by 4–6 and blend in two rounds, keeping the first one chilled while you prepare the next.

Fruity tropical rum cocktails on table with some pineapple wedges and cherries sitting on serving tray

Can I use canned pineapple instead of juice?

You can! Just use canned pineapple in juice (not syrup) and blend until smooth. This might even give your drink a thicker, frostier texture. Avoid chunks in syrup—they’re too sweet and thick.

Does cream of coconut go bad?

Yes, cream of coconut can go bad once opened. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container and use within 5–7 days, or freeze in small portions. Shake or stir before use, as it separates naturally.

close up of Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktails in glasses with coconut rim, pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry

Final Thoughts

This Frozen Blue Hawaiian Cocktail is everything a summer drink should be—vibrant, icy, creamy, and fun. Whether you’re channeling beach vacation vibes at home or actually sipping one poolside, this cocktail is guaranteed to put you in a tropical state of mind.

It’s quick to make, always impressive, and endlessly customizable. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a repeat-request drink around here. So break out the blender, grab a pineapple wedge, and get ready to sip something beautiful.

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