A vibrant tropical drink made with blue curacao, rum, creme de banana, and club soda makes this blue mermaid cocktail look like the ocean. Great for summer sippin’ and pool parties!

Why this recipe works

Coming from someone who loves mostly all blue candies, popsicles, and drinks, it’s hard not to get excited over a pretty blue mermaid cocktail. That ocean water vibe is all thanks to the blue curacao, which not only makes it vibrant, but also adds a tropical citrus flavor.

This blue mermaid cocktail absolutely reminds me of summer, though I’ve definitely made it year round when I yearn for salty skin and sandy toes. It’s refreshing, sweet with a bite, and a little fizzy to round everything out. It’s unique compared to other blue cocktails, like the blue lagoon or blue Hawaiian, because we’ve incorporated creme de banana along with coconut rum and club soda. I think you’re going to love it!

Blue Mermaid Cocktail with a cherry garnish

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

RUM – We used Malibu coconut rum, but any white coconut rum will do the trick.

CURACAO – Blue curacao is what gives this cocktail its signature blue hue. It’s a citrusy orange flavored liqueur that’s readily available and should be easy to find. I wouldn’t suggest leaving this out or substituting!

CREME DE BANANA – If you can’t find creme de banana liqueur, you can simply double the coconut rum instead or even swap it for creme de coconut.

SODA – Club soda is added for a little pop of fizz. This drink is already pretty sweet, but if you prefer, you can use lemon-lime soda instead of club soda. It will make it sweeter!

How to Make Blue Mermaid Cocktails

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add all three alcohols and top with club soda.
Stir gently and top with a cocktail umbrella.
You can garnish with maraschino cherries, lemon, orange, and /or pineapples.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

What does blue curacao taste like?

Blue Curacao is sweet and citrusy with a slightly bitter bite. It’s made from dried orange peels, specifically from the Lahara orange from Curacao, an island in the Caribbean. It’s known for its vibrant blue coloring and is most likely in every tropical blue cocktail recipe you’ll see out there! The blue color doesn’t add any specific flavor, it’s simply for looks. In fact, regular curaçao liqueur tastes pretty much the same.

What’s the difference between a blue Hawaiian and a blue mermaid cocktail?

Although they look fairly similar, there are a couple of key differences between the two cocktails. A blue Hawaiian typically incorporates either light rum or vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and blue curacao. While a blue mermaid also uses blue curacao as the base, it does not include fruit juice or cream of coconut (a sweetened, thick coconut mixer). Some people like to call it mermaid water, as the consistency is thinner and usually served over ice.

What rum works best?

I prefer to use Malibu coconut rum, but realistically, any crisp white coconut rum will work. Bacardi, Captain Morgan, or Planteray all all great options. I would avoid dark rum for this drink because it will muddy up the coloring of the cocktail as well as change the flavor.

Serving Suggestions

What’s a tropical drink without a cute cocktail umbrella? I love to top my blue mermaid cocktail with a pick skewered with a lemon or orange wedge, a maraschino cherry, or a chunk of pineapple.

Serve over ice at summer barbecues, pool parties, Fourth of July get-togethers, or simply whenever. Enjoy!

More Summer Cocktail Recipes

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!