Name: Papa’s Ocean Breeze Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 🧊 Ice cubes; 🍍 4 oz pineapple juice; 🥥 2 oz coconut rum (Malibu works perfectly); 🍊 1 oz blue curaçao; 🍋 1 oz lemon-lime soda or club soda (for fizz); 🍒 Maraschino cherry, for garnish; 🍍 Pineapple wedge, for garnish; 🌴 Optional: splash of cream of coconut for a creamier texture

Papa’s Ocean Breeze Cocktail is a tropical escape in a glass, refreshing, laid-back, and bursting with seaside charm. One sip of this cool, fruity cocktail and you’ll be transported to a beach chair under swaying palm trees, with the salty air brushing your skin and the sun warming your soul. Whether you’re hosting a backyard luau, celebrating Father’s Day, or simply kicking off the weekend with something special, this ocean-inspired drink is pure coastal bliss. The name “Papa’s Ocean Breeze Cocktail ” captures a nostalgic and comforting vibe, a drink reminiscent of summer vacations, warm memories, and the easy laughter of a father figure enjoying his moment of peace.

It’s not just a drink, it’s an experience, one you can recreate anytime you need a sip of tropical happiness.

Why Is This Recipe So Popular?

This cocktail has quickly become a fan favorite at summer parties and beachside gatherings for a few reasons:

Tropical Flavor Profile: The combination of pineapple juice, coconut rum, and blue curaçao delivers the ultimate island-inspired refreshment.
Beautiful Color: The stunning ocean-blue hue is visually irresistible and perfect for summer-themed events or beach weddings.
Customizable: You can make it boozy or light, fruity or tangy—it adapts easily to your preferences.
Super Easy to Make: It’s a pour-and-shake cocktail—no complicated tools or bartending experience required.
Great for Batching: Make a pitcher and serve a crowd! It’s ideal for entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✅ Bright & Refreshing – The perfect thirst-quencher on a hot day.
✅ Gorgeous Presentation – A vibrant ocean-blue drink that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
✅ Smooth & Fruity – Coconut and pineapple flavors balance beautifully with citrusy notes.
✅ Great for Any Occasion – A hit at BBQs, beach days, birthdays, and more.
✅ Totally Instagrammable – The stunning blue color and tropical garnish make it a social media favorite.
✅ Easy to Customize – Dial up the booze or keep it light with soda or juice.

Ingredients:

These ingredients come together to form a powerhouse of flavor:

🧊 Ice cubes
🍍 4 oz pineapple juice
🥥 2 oz coconut rum (Malibu works perfectly)
🍊 1 oz blue curaçao
🍋 1 oz lemon-lime soda or club soda (for fizz)
🍒 Maraschino cherry, for garnish
🍍 Pineapple wedge, for garnish
🌴 Optional: splash of cream of coconut for a creamier texture

Preparation:

Step 1: Fill the Shaker with Ice 🧊

Add plenty of ice cubes to your cocktail shaker. If you don’t have a shaker, use a large mason jar or any container with a lid that seals well.

Step 2: Pour in the Juice & Rum 🍍🥥

Add the pineapple juice and coconut rum to the shaker. This duo creates a classic tropical foundation—sweet, tangy, and totally beachy.

Step 3: Add Blue Curaçao 🍊💙

Pour in the blue curaçao. This liqueur not only provides a hint of citrus flavor, but it also gives the cocktail its signature electric-blue hue reminiscent of clear Caribbean waters.

Step 4: Shake It Up 🌊

Seal your shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds. This helps chill and combine all the ingredients evenly.

Step 5: Pour & Top with Soda 🍋🧊

Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Top off with a splash of lemon-lime soda or club soda for a touch of sparkle.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve 🍍🍒

Garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry for that beachside bar aesthetic. Add a cute cocktail umbrella if you’re feeling festive!

Variation:

Mix it up and make the drink your own with one of these tasty twists:

Creamy Ocean Breeze: Add 1 oz of cream of coconut before shaking for a Piña-Colada-meets-blue-lagoon twist.
Frozen Version: Blend all the ingredients with ice until smooth for a slushy summer treat.
Mocktail Version: Skip the rum and use coconut water instead. Replace curaçao with a splash of blue sports drink or blue raspberry syrup for the color.
Citrus Punch: Add orange juice and a splash of lime for a tangier version.
Berry Breeze: Muddle fresh blueberries before shaking and strain for a fruity blue tint and a richer flavor profile.

COOKING Note:

These tropical drinks are incredibly easy to make, but here are a few key notes for consistent flavor and presentation:

🧊 Always use fresh ice to avoid watering down the drink.
🍍 Chilled pineapple juice keeps the drink extra refreshing and balanced.
💙 Use quality blue curaçao—cheap versions can taste overly artificial.
🍒 Layering tip: Pour soda slowly to keep the ombré effect if you want to layer the look.
🍹 Garnishes matter—they add aroma, style, and flavor to the finished drink.

Serving Suggestions:

Papa’s Ocean Breeze pairs wonderfully with a wide range of snacks and meals:

🍤 Coconut shrimp with mango dipping sauce
🥗 Tropical fruit salad with lime-mint dressing
🌮 Fish tacos or grilled shrimp skewers
🥥 Coconut-lime chicken with rice
🍍 Pineapple upside-down cake for dessert
🍘 Salty bar snacks like pretzels, mixed nuts, or chips with guacamole

Serve it in:

Tall highball glasses with ice
Hollowed-out pineapples for a showstopper presentation
Large punch bowls or pitchers if making a batch for parties

Tips:

🍹 For stronger drinks, increase the rum by ½ oz.
🌊 Add edible glitter or shimmer powder for a magical, mermaid vibe.
🧊 Freeze pineapple juice in ice cube trays for pineapple ice cubes that won’t dilute your drink.
🥥 Want more coconut flavor? Add a drop of coconut extract or use coconut cream.
🍸 Make it ahead! Mix the rum, curaçao, and juice and store chilled—add soda and ice just before serving.

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cooking Time:

0 minutes

Total Time:

5 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving Approx.):

Calories: 190
Carbohydrates: 18g
Sugar: 14g
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 12–15% depending on your rum
Sodium: 15mg
Fat: 0g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g

FAQs:

Can I make a large batch for parties?

Absolutely! For a pitcher (serves 6), mix:

3 cups pineapple juice
1 ½ cups coconut rum
¾ cup blue curaçao
1 cup soda (added just before serving)
Stir well, chill, and serve over ice.

What does blue curaçao taste like?

It’s a sweet, citrus-flavored liqueur made from bitter orange peels. It’s similar to triple sec but with a blue color and slightly more bitter undertones.

Can I use other juices instead of pineapple?

Yes! Mango juice, orange juice, or even guava juice all work wonderfully. Just know it will affect the color and flavor balance.

Is this cocktail sweet?

Yes, but it’s not overly sugary. The pineapple and curaçao provide natural sweetness balanced by the soda’s fizz and citrus notes. You can adjust sweetness by using less soda or adding lime.

Can I make it creamy like a Piña Colada?

Definitely. Just add cream of c