Have you ever wanted to make a cocktail for a party that really captures attention? Or a matcha latte that awes your brunch guests? If so, then how about trying a BLUE drink? Blue cocktails (and mocktails, lattes, and smoothies) are eye-catching, whimsical, and fun. They're total show-stoppers at an event and will have everyone snapping pictures.
In this guide, I'll walk you through how to make a blue drink NATURALLY using a very special ingredient: blue spirulina. We'll explore what blue spriulina is, where to buy it, how to store it, its nutritional benefits, and why blue spirulina is a far better choice than traditional food coloring. I'll also share numerous of my favorite blue spirulina cocktail, matcha, and smoothie recipes for you to experiment with.
Ready to dive in? I can guarantee you'll be making naturally-colored blue drinks like a pro after reading this post.
Although there are numerous iconic blue cocktails (for example, the Blue Hawaiian; check out this clever list for all the classic blue sips), the thing they have in common is a specific ingredient: blue curacao. Blue curacao is a low-proof liqueur (about 40 proof, although it varies by brand) with an orange flavor and a bright blue color. Unfortunately, it's also loaded with sugar and blue food coloring.
For non-alcoholic blue drinks, blue food coloring is another frequent culprit. Some artisan coffee shops may use natural food alternatives, but artificial coloring is the norm rather than the exception.
If you're like me and don't want to be sipping a glass of food coloring, keep reading to learn how to make blue drinks NATURALLY. Let's ditch the fake stuff and instead use a real (and nutritious!) superfood.
The secret to making blue drinks naturally (without food coloring!) is a very unique ingredient: blue spirulina, which is an edible algae. Although it's a specialty ingredient and can be tricky to find (more on this below), it has a vibrant blue color and numerous nutritional benefits. Using blue spirulina instead of artificial color will allow you to make a whole array of blue cocktails, blue mocktails, blue matcha lattes, blue smoothies, and whatever else you can dream up, while also incorporating a superfood into your diet.
Blue spirulina is a neon blue-colored edible species of algae. It is closely related to green spirulina, which is the more common dietary supplement. Both are types of cyanobacteria (although note that cyanobacteria is a broad group and not all varieties are edible; in fact, some can be toxic).
Cyanobacteria (and spirulina in particular) are free-floating bacteria that grow in bodies of water. Spirulina, i.e. the species that is beneficial to humans, is cultivated in open ponds, usually in tropical or sub-tropical areas. They thrive in relatively warm, high-pH (basic) water and may be a promising way to help address global food security and malnutrition. If you want to learn more about spirulina, check out this detailed article on Wikipedia.
Spirulina is often called a "superfood" because of its nutrient density. It contains antioxidants, B vitamins (particularly riboflavin and thiamin), iron, magnesium, and manganese. It also contains some protein and healthy fats (omega-3 and omega-6). At the risk of stating the obvious, it is a much more healthful way to create blue drinks than using food coloring, which can have adverse effects.
The taste of spirulina can vary widely, so it's important to make sure you're getting it from a high-quality source. Some spirulina varieties, including some green spirulina powders I've bought over the years, can have an ocean-y taste. However, quality blue spirulina (see my recommendations below) have almost no smell or taste at all. Importantly, you'll only be using it in small amounts, so it shouldn't impact the flavor of your drink (especially if you're creating a more strongly flavored sip, like a citrusy blue spirulina cocktail).
Blue spirulina is a specialty ingredient, so it is not widely available. That said, artisan grocery stores may have it. You can also purchase it online. Make sure you're buying it from a trusted source that specializes in superfood ingredients. My personal go-to is Unicorn Superfoods (note that this isn't sponsored in any way, I just love their products). At the time I'm writing this, Unicorn Superfoods sells their blue spirulina on Amazon, which is easier for US customers since you'll avoid international shipping charges. I've also enjoyed Raw Nice.
Always check the packaging of the blue spirulina you purchase for specific information. Generally speaking though, storing spirulina in the refrigerator in a sealed container will prolong its life.
Although the exact method will vary based on what beverage you want to create, here's a general outline of how to make naturally-colored blue drinks. Most importantly, blue spirulina dissolves best in water, ideally using a milk frother. It does not dissolve well in alcohol or (in the case of blue matcha lattes) milk. Keep reading to learn how to use spirulina to create whatever blue drink you can imagine.
Making a blue spirulina cocktail is straightforward, but there's one key trick: you'll need to dissolve the spirulina in a dash of water before adding it to the rest of the drink. This is a critical step, since spirulina does not dissolve well in alcohol. Try to minimize the amount of water you use so that the cocktail does not become diluted.
Start by dissolving a few pinches of blue spirulina in a splash of room temperature water, either in the bottom of a cocktail stirring glass, in a cocktail shaker, or in a separate vessel. If possible, use a milk frother; otherwise, try a small whisk. Make sure the spirulina is fully dissolved before adding it to the other cocktail ingredients. If you still have some clumps, use a fine-mesh strainer to remove them.
Making a blue matcha is similar to making a blue cocktail, although you don't need to worry as much about diluting the drink. Follow the same steps as above, adding the blue-colored water to the matcha shot and/or the milk.
Making a refreshing blue smoothie is easy! There's no need to dissolve the spirulina first; just add it in with the rest of the smoothie ingredients and blend. Because smoothies have a thicker texture than the other examples I've discussed above, you'll likely need to use more spirulina to get the color you want. Start with about a quarter teaspoon, see how it looks once blended, and add more as desired.
Looking for some specific recipes to get you started? If you're excited about blue spirulina cocktails, check out this festive red, white, and blue July 4th cocktail, this whimsical unicorn cocktail, and this unique solar eclipse cocktail. There's also a blue mojito in my compilation of horoscope cocktails (scroll down to Pisces).
If matcha is more your speed, this coconutty blue matcha is perfect for summer.
Finally, if you're into smoothies, you'll definitely want to try some blue smoothie recipes. There's a beautiful Blue Vanilla Smoothie in my low-sugar, low-carb smoothie e-book, Blend The Rainbow. And if you want to try your hand at a layered blue smoothie, check out my free guide to making photo-worthy layered smoothies.
Ready to start experimenting more? There are endless ways you can use blue spirulina. Generally speaking, you can add blue spirulina (using the steps outlined above) to most drinks including cocktails, mocktails, lattes, and smoothies. However, don't forget to account for the color that will result when the blue spirulina combines with the rest of the ingredients in the drink.
Of course, you can always control the final color by adjusting the amount of blue spirulina you add. For that reason, it can often be useful to mix the blue spriulina with water separately, and add the colored water into the drink in small increments. But in general, here's what you can expect when adding blue spirulina to a drink:
Importantly, there are a few drinks that will not work with blue spirulina. These colors, when mixed with blue, will yield muddy-looking purple-brown hues that will be unappealing.
Okay, that's it. You now have everything you need to start making your own stunning blue drinks at home. Whether you're throwing a party, hosting a special event, having friends over for a beautiful brunch, or just want to make something different, a vibrantly-colored drink is sure to make everyone smile. I can guarantee that your guests will be snapping photos.
I hope you have as much fun creating blue spirulina cocktails, blue mocktails, blue matcha lattes, and blue smoothies as I do. Because we're ditching the food coloring and instead using nutrient-dense blue spirulina, there's no reason not to sip on a blue drink whenever you're looking for a fun, unique, and eye-catching treat.
Excited to start making vibrantly-colored blue drinks NATURALLY, using blue spirulina? This guide gives you everything you need to know to create photo-worthy blue cocktails, mocktails, matcha lattes, and smoothies.
Simple Blue Mojito
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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