Bright blue, bubbly, and citrusy, an Aqua Velva Drink is a boozy but refreshing cocktail. It is made with vodka, gin, lemon-lime soda, and blue curaçao.
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The Aqua Velva Cocktail
Emerging in the 1980s, this aquamarine blue cocktail is full of citrus flavor with complementary botanical notes from the gin. A boozy treat that is perfect for those who love a sweet-tart cocktail!
The Aqua Velva Drink gets both its name and color from an aftershave called Ice Blue Aqua Velva. And although there’s no documented origin story of the drink, urban myth suggests that this aftershave was consumed by WWII sailors due to its alcohol content. But this cocktail is a definite homage to the aftershave, which was advertised with the slogan that it "gives your skin a drink".
It also appears in the 2007 film, Zodiac. In the film, it is depicted as author and political cartoonist Robert Graysmith's (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) favored drink.
Another citrusy sweet-tart cocktail recipe to try out is our LEMON DROP LIMONCELLO MARTINI!
Ingredients & Notes
This boozy drink is made with just a few simple ingredients that combine to create a well-balanced cocktail that is full of zesty, citrus flavor. You will need the following ingredients to make an Aqua Velva:
- Vodka. Any plain, unflavored vodka will work for this recipe.
- Gin. Any gin will do, so use your favorite as you will taste all the botanical notes it has to offer.
- Blue Curacao. I recommend going for a mid to high-end Blue Curacao, like Giffard or Drillaud, for a more authentic orange peel flavor.
- Lemon-lime soda. You could also use any other sparkling lemonade you prefer best. This ingredient really stands out in this cocktail so choose one that you enjoy the flavor of and one that has a strong citrus flavor. You could also make your own by combining lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water!
Got some leftover Blue Curacao? Try making a tasty round of BLUE MOTORCYCLE DRINKS!
How to garnish this cocktail:
The traditional garnish for an Aqua Velva is a lemon wedge and a cocktail cherry skewered with a cocktail umbrella or cocktail stick. You could also use a lime wedge, fresh cherries, or just a plain cocktail umbrella if preferred.
All these garnish options are entirely optional and this drink can also just be enjoyed as is. The garnish just makes the drink feel a bit special and celebratory and doesn't impart much flavor to the drink.
How to make an Aqua Velva Drink
This drink is quick and easy to make. It doesn't require any fancy equipment or cocktail-making skills. To make this delicious blue cocktail, follow the simple instructions below or find a full, detailed recipe at the end of this post.
Step-By-Step Instructions
STEP ONE
Fill a tall highball serving glass with ice cubes ¾ of the way full.
STEP TWO
Add the gin, vodka, and blue curacao to the glass and stir.
STEP THREE
Top with lemon-lime soda or sparkling lemonade and add a garnish if desired. Serve immediately.
Pitcher Variation
It is easy to make and serve this cocktail in a pitcher when catering to a crowd. To make a serving for eight, simply add 1 cup vodka, 1 cup gin, and ¾ cup Blue Curacao to a large pitcher. Mix together and then top with 4 cups lemon-lime soda or lemonade. Serve over ice.
When to serve Aqua Velva drinks
- This refreshing drink is a perfect summertime cocktail for slow-sipping
- It is a fun and boozy option for happy-hour drinks
- A great dinner party drink option - see pitcher-style recipe variation!
- Late-night summer evening drink
- Guys' or girls' night drinks
CAN YOU MAKE An Aqua Velva Drink IN ADVANCE?
Yes, you can prepare this cocktail ahead of time if hosting an event. Simply mix the booze together and then store it in the fridge for as long as needed. When you are ready to serve, simply add in the lemon-lime soda or lemonade and pour over ice.
Recipe
Aqua Velva Drink
Equipment
- High-ball serving glass
Ingredients
- 1 ounce plain vodka
- 1 ounce Gin
- ¾ ounce Blue Curacao
- 3 - 4 ounces Lemon-Lime Soda or sparkling lemonade
- Ice cubes
Otional Garnish
- Lime wedge optional
- Cocktail cherry optional
Instructions
- Fill a tall highball serving glass with ice cubes ¾ of the way full.
- Add the gin, vodka, and blue curacao to the glass and stir.
- Top with lemon-lime soda or sparkling lemonade and add a garnish if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pitcher Variation
It is easy to make and serve this cocktail in a pitcher when catering to a crowd. To make a serving for eight, simply add 1 cup vodka, 1 cup gin, and ¾ cup Blue Curacao to a large pitcher. Mix together and then top with 4 cups lemon-lime soda or lemonade. Serve over ice.
Nutrition
More refreshing drinks to try:
ZESTY CHAMPAGNE VODKA COCKTAIL
JAPANESE ICED TEA (TOKYO TEA)
PINEAPPLE & GINGER BEER COCKTAIL
I hope you love this Aqua Velva Drink recipe as much as I do! And if you want to see more of my food adventures, follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
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