Our pick for the drink of summer is a classic. Refreshing and sweet, it reminds us of summer fun at the beach, with the color of a warm ocean and the fruity flavors of the tropics. The Blue Hawaiian Cocktail was invented by Harry Yee in Waikiki in 1957 and played great with Elvis Presley’s film of the same name and the burgeoning Tiki culture.

Recipes vary, but here’s our favorite:

Take a tall cocktail glass and fill with crushed ice and add:

1 oz Blue Curacoa liqueur

1 oz Vanilla flavored rum

1 oz Toasted coconut crème liqueur

2 oz Pineapple juice

Add a maraschino cherry and/or a pineapple wedge on a stick.

Add a couple of dashes of citrus bitters if too sweet.

You can also just serve on the rocks, serve without ice by shaking over ice in a cocktail shaker, or add drink ingredients and ice into a blender for a frozen drink. Another variation is to use less pineapple juice and add a splash of vanilla.

Enjoy with friends and a nice card or board game on the deck.

…as always, play more games!