Nadia George
October 15, 2024
Curacao is essentially an orange liqueur made from the citrusy tropical fruit jaraha, found in the Caribbean. Used widely in cocktail craft, mixologists often incorporate the bitter and citrusy elements of this liqueur to introduce complexity into their mixes.
Contrary to popular notion, the ingredients in both curacaos are quite similar – meaning the quantity of bitters in both drinks is equal. Still, the liquor used in producing orange curacao is slightly more in proportion compared to the blue variant making it potent by a margin.
Blue curacao adds a stunning pop of blue colour to tropical cocktail recipes. The orange-coloured liqueur introduces some warm and intense hues into drinks that would resemble a glorious sunrise.
Since the alcohol content in blue curacao is slightly lower than the orange, it is also slightly sweeter than the latter. While both carry identical citrusy notes, the blue curacao adds more sweetness to any cocktail.
The absence of brandy in the blue curacao also reduces the spirit concentration and intensity of the liqueur, ensuring that it retains its oceanic, blue colour. The addition of brandy to the orange liqueur gives it an added bitter note that makes the citrus liqueur appear as a rather complex blend.
While non-alcoholic versions of the curacao have become exceedingly popular over time, the blue curacao has trumped as the most appealing option and is used widely to craft drinks that catch the eye, because of its presence in mixes.