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The Russian Blue Moon turns heads with its bold look, thanks to the combo of blue curacao, crème de violette, and vodka. It’s fresh and zingy, but you’ll also get that delicate floral vibe that makes people talk. This is for anyone who wants a drink that’s way out of the ordinary and tastes amazing too.
Stumbled across this one while hanging with buddies during a late summer hang. Now, it’s my secret move whenever I want guests wow’d without bartending all night.
Vibrant Ingredients
- Ice cubes: You’ll need a bunch to get everything super cold and just the right amount of watered down
- Simple syrup: Keeps everything smooth and sweet, plus homemade makes it taste extra clean
- Fresh lemon juice: Fresh is everything for that pop and perfectly tart finish, don’t ever use the bottled stuff
- Crème de violette: Real stuff brings floral magic and subtle sugar, avoid anything fake here
- Blue curacao: That wild blue color and a gentle orange twist comes from this, find one that isn’t too fake tasting
- Vodka: The heart of the drink and makes it smooth, pick one that’s crisp and not too harsh
Simple Steps
- Dress It Up:
- Toss a lemon twist or pop a fancy cherry on the glass edge, then get sipping before it loses its sparkle
- Pour & Show Off:
- After shaking, run the drink through a strainer right into a super cold martini or coupe glass so the color shines
- Shake Like Crazy:
- Get that shaker closed tight and give it a wild shake for a good 15 seconds — that’s what makes everything smooth, cold, and mixed up
- Syrup In:
- Add a splash (quarter ounce) of syrup, and if it’s homemade, all the better
- Citrus Boost:
- Fresh squeeze about a quarter ounce of lemon juice and pour it in for some zippy flavor
- Floral Touch:
- Pour in half an ounce of crème de violette for that awesome perfume and sweetness you can’t fake
- Blue Pop:
- Next, measure half an ounce blue curacao — here comes the color and a sweet hit
- Vodka Time:
- Go with one and a half ounces of solid vodka, definitely makes it smooth and strong
- Start With Ice:
- Dump ice in the shaker till it’s about halfway full, get everything as cold as possible from the start
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I just love anything blue, so it’s a fun excuse to enjoy a gorgeous glass. My niece begs for a version with blueberry syrup instead of booze, so making this always kicks up family vibes and giggles for me.
How to Keep It Fresh
It’s best when made and served cold on the spot, but you can prep the vodka and liqueurs together and stash them in the fridge. Just hold off on the lemon juice and syrup till you’re ready to pour so it stays bright and tasty.
Swaps for Ingredients
No crème de violette? Try some elderflower liqueur for that flowery note, though the color will change. If you sub out blue curacao for basic triple sec, be ready for a less blue look but still citrusy.
How to Serve
This stunner seriously works for themed parties and fancy drinks hours. Go with a frosty glass and a swirl of lemon on the rim to keep it classy. Throw in some salty chips or nuts on the side to make it feel extra special.
Fun Backstory
Back in the day, blue drinks became cool at tiki bars all about flair and drama. The Russian Blue Moon keeps things playful with color and adds a European feel with its floral liquor, which makes it trendy and a nod to the past all at once.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is there a certain vodka to go for with a Blue Moon cocktail?
Pick one that's smooth and high quality. You want a clean taste, so a plain, premium vodka lets every flavor in your glass show off.
- → Can I swap crème de violette for something else?
If you can't find crème de violette, look for a berry or floral liqueur instead. The drink will still taste good, though the flavor and shade might be a little different.
- → Why use fresh lemon juice?
Fresh lemon brings the drink to life. It makes everything pop more. Bottled lemon is kinda dull, so stick with the real thing if you can.
- → What's the trick for that wild blue color?
Blue curaçao mixed with crème de violette gives that signature blue look. Mix it well and use clear ice for the coolest results.
- → What topping tastes best with this cocktail?
Lemon twist jazzes things up with citrusy aroma. Or drop in a cherry for a sweet kick and awesome color contrast.
- → How do I tweak the sweetness?
Ditch some simple syrup if you want it less sugary, or add more if that's your style. Taste as you go so you get it just right.