We’re sharing how we make our version of the Honolulu Blue Cocktail, the Detroit Lions’ drink of choice (unofficially). This cocktail is made with tequila, Blue Curacao, and blue lemonade and topped with lemon-lime soda.
You can also find a mocktail version of this blue drink, how to make it kid-friendly, and how to batch for a crowd.
If you want to get right into the recipe, use the jump feature to get a printable copy of this recipe and try this blue cocktail while you root for the Lions this season! (#onepride)
Honolulu Blue Cocktail – Detroit Lions’ Unofficial Cocktail
Learn what makes a Honolulu Blue cocktail different from other tropical blue drinks, including the ingredients and flavors that give it its signature color and taste.
You’ll also find the best proportions and mixing techniques for making it at home or behind the bar, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips for adjusting the sweetness, strength, and flavor to match your preference.
Football season starts soon, and our blue drink needs to be on the menu for all diehard Lions tailgating events.
However, this Honolulu Blue Cocktail will work for a summer drink, themed blue party, summer cookouts, and more.
Why Is It Called The Honolulu Blue? (also known as the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid)
The “Honolulu Blue” cocktail is often associated with the Detroit Lions because it reflects the team’s colors.
The Detroit Lions team colors include a distinctive shade of blue (and white + silver) known as “Honolulu Blue,” a crucial part of their branding and uniform design.
What You Will Need:
Tequila. We’re using 1800 Tequila for this recipe since they partnered with the Detroit Lions to offer these branded tequila bottles. Also, 1800 Tequila is a famous brand known for its quality and smoothness.
Blue Curaçao Liqueur. Blue Curaçao adds a citrus flavor and a vibrant blue color. For this recipe, we’re using the De Kuyper brand. However, any brand will work.
Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade. We preferred this blue lemonade to add to this vibrant blue color and the combination of sweetness and acidity. This helps to balance the flavors of the alcohol. You can also use Blue Hawaiian Punch.
Lemon-Lime Soda. For this blue cocktail, we’re topping it off with lemon-lime soda, which complements the citrus notes of the lemonade and blue curaçao.
How Do You Make A Honolulu Blue?
Serving Size 1
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of 1800 Tequila
- 2 oz of Blue Curacao liqueur
- 1 oz of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade or Blue Hawaiian Punch
- Top off with Lemon-Lime Soda [we used Sprite]
- ice
- slice of lemon
Directions:
- Add ice, 2 ounces of tequila, 2 ounces of blue curacao, and 1 ounce of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade (or Blue Hawaiian Punch) into a cocktail mixing glass.
- Stir vigorously for thirty seconds.
- Add ice to a serving glass and pour mixture into the glass.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda and add a slice of lemon.
- Cheers!
Glassware: Detroit Lions Pint Glasses are shown in the above photos.
How Can I Make a Honolulu Blue without alcohol?
If you want to make a non-alcoholic Detroit Lions drink, here’s how to take this Honolulu Blue into a mocktail version.
Swap the tequila for Ritual Zero Proof Tequila (or a similar brand).
Instead of using Blue Curacao liqueur, you can use Blue Curacao syrup.
You can order Blue Curacao syrup online.
Kid-Friendly Honolulu Blue Drink
If you want to make a version of this drink for the kids, swap the blue curacao for blueberry syrup, and use Blue Hawaiian Punch to replace the tequila and Blue Calypso.
How To Batch This Honolulu Blue Recipe
If you would like to make this blue drink for a crowd (like a tailgating party or similar), you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 40 oz of 1800 Tequila
- 40 oz of Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 20 oz of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade (or Blue Hawaiian punch)
- About 40-60 oz of lemon-lime soda
- Ice
- 20 lemon slices for garnish
Directions:
- Combine tequila, Blue Curacao, and Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade in a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser. Stir well to mix.
- Pro-tip: Chill this base mixture in the refrigerator before serving. This step helps keep the drink cold without relying too heavily on ice, which can dilute the drink.
- When ready to serve, top off with the lemon-lime soda.
Can I use A Different Type of Tequila?
This mixed drink typically prefers Blanco (or silver) tequila since it has a clean, crisp flavor.
If you prefer, you can swap out the tequila for vodka or Absolut Citron.
What’s the difference between Blue Curacao liqueur and Blue Curacao syrup?
While the color may be the same, there’s a big difference between each variety. If you want a non-alcoholic option, you will want to purchase Blue Curacao syrup!
Blue Curacao liqueur contains about 15-40% alcohol (depending on the brand and size). This liqueur is made with brandy or a neutral spirit infused with the peels of the Lahara citrus fruit, which grows on the island of Curacao and then is colored blue.
The syrup is thicker than the liqueur. Also, Blue Curacao liqueur has a longer shelf life than non-alcoholic syrup.
While both may have a similar sweet and slightly bitter orange flavor, the liqueur is more complex because of the alcohol and distillation process.
Where Can I Buy Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade
We usually find this brand at Kroger, Walmart, or Meijer.
You can use their search product feature to find it near you.
Blue Calypso Ocean Blue Lemonade is a nonalcoholic drink.
How Much Alcohol Is in a Honolulu Blue?
The original Honolulu Blue recipe contains 2 ounces of tequila and 2 ounces of blue curaçao liqueur. The exact alcohol content depends on the proof of the tequila and blue curaçao used.
Many blanco tequilas are 40 percent alcohol by volume, while blue curaçao commonly ranges from approximately 15 to 25 percent alcohol by volume.
Because the recipe contains 4 ounces of alcoholic ingredients, it is a strong cocktail and may contain more alcohol than a typical single-serving mixed drink.
Drink responsibly and adjust the proportions when a lighter cocktail is preferred.
Where Can You Order a Honolulu Blue Drink?
The Honolulu Blue is not a standard cocktail found on every bar menu. Some sports bars, Detroit-area restaurants, and football-themed venues may offer a blue Detroit Lions drink during football season.
If you’re attending a tailgating party at a bar, you can ask a bartender whether they can make a blue cocktail using tequila, blue curaçao, lemonade, and lemon-lime soda.
Availability through restaurant delivery and pickup services will vary by location and local alcohol laws. You can check nearby sports bars, cocktail bars, and restaurant menus for seasonal Detroit Lions drinks.
But if you plan to attend or host a tailgate party, just make our version of this blue drink!
Is a Honolulu Blue the Same as a Blue Hawaii?
No. A Honolulu Blue cocktail is a Detroit Lions-inspired drink made with tequila, blue curaçao, Blue Calypso lemonade, and lemon-lime soda.
A Blue Hawaii cocktail commonly includes rum, vodka, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and sweet-and-sour mix.
Other alternatives to using Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade in this recipe.
If you can’t find this specific flavor of lemonade, you can use equal parts Blue Kool-Aid and lemonade. Mix the two, and still use the suggested 1 oz in this drink.
You can also use Blue Hawaiian Punch, blue-flavored drinks, or blue sports drinks (like Gatorade).
Make a Sugar-Free Blue Cocktail
Instead of using the Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade, pair Zero Sugar Minute Maid Lemonade with the Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid mix.
You can also swap the Sprite for a zero-sugar version.
You will also want to use a sugar-free Blue Curacao syrup. You can use sugar-free Blue Raspberry syrup if you can’t find that.
What are some other Blue Drink combinations to try?
- Blue Kool-Aid and Hypnotiq Shots
- Faygo Cotton Candy and 1800 Tequila Shots
- Blue Margarita using tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Blue Martini using vodka, blue curaçao, and dry vermouth,
- Blue Hawaiian uses rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut.
- Blueberry Lemonade Mocktail using blueberry syrup, lemonade, and soda water.
- Ocean Breeze Mocktail using a blue sports drink, pineapple juice, and Sprite.
- Try the Honolulu Blue cocktail made by Coppercraft.
Food Pairings for this Tequila Cocktail
Try these recipes for an excellent sip-and-bite combo! [Featured above our antipasto skewers]
In the last few years, we’ve seen some changes that showed the potential, a bright future, and a chance to finally go to the Super Bowl (thanks to the head coach for turning this team around).
Detroit Lions Preseason starts on August 13, 2026 at 7 PM against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Their regular season will start on September 13, 2026 at 1 PM against the New Orleans Saints.
Yes, it’s a good day to be a Michigander.
Cheers and Go, Lions!
Try These Recipes:
Honolulu Blue Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz of 1800 Tequila
- 2 oz of Blue Curacao Liqueur
- 1 oz of Blue Calypso Ocean Lemonade or Blue Hawaiian Punch
- top off with Lemon-Lime Soda
- ice
- slice of lemon
Instructions
- Add ice, 2 ounces of tequila, 2 ounces of blue Curacao, and 1 ounce of blue calypso ocean lemonade into a cocktail mixing glass.
- Stir vigorously for thirty seconds.
- Add ice to a serving glass and pour mixture into the glass.
- Top off with lemon-lime soda and add a slice of lemon.
- Cheers!
Notes
Created 1/2024 | Updated 8/2026
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