When was the Blue Moon Invented
Blue Moon is actually a variation of the Aviation Cocktail, and the color of that cocktail is not blue but a mysterious mauve color!
The origins of this drink were created around 1940 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, USA! In fact, the history of this cocktail can be traced back to the book “100 Famous Cocktails” published as early as 1934! In the recipe from the earliest days, there was no lemon juice used, due to the discontinuation of Violet Liqueur, this cocktail also disappeared for a long time, with the resumption of production of Violet Liqueur, this drink is officially back in everyone’s view!
What You Need
- gin
- blue curaçao or parfait amour liqueur
- lemon juice
- lemon peel
How to Make a Blue Moon
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, blue curaçao or parfait amour liqueur, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- Shake the mixture vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to chill the ingredients and combine the flavors.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish the cocktail with a lemon twist or orange twist, and serve immediately.
Tip For Making a Blue Moon
- Use a good-quality gin: Since gin is the base spirit in this cocktail, it’s important to choose a gin that you enjoy drinking on its own. A high-quality gin will also help to balance out the sweetness of the blue curaçao and the sourness of the lemon juice.
- Adjust the sweetness and tartness to your liking: The amount of simple syrup and lemon juice in the recipe can be adjusted to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, you can add more simple syrup, while if you prefer a more tart cocktail, you can add more lemon juice.
- Chill your glass before serving: Chilling your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before serving will help keep the cocktail cool for longer and prevent it from getting watered down too quickly.
- Use fresh ingredients: Always use fresh lemon juice and simple syrup when making this cocktail. Bottled lemon juice and pre-made simple syrup can have a different taste and may affect the balance of the cocktail.
- Garnish with a citrus twist: A lemon twist or orange twist not only adds a nice touch of color to the cocktail, but it also complements the flavors of the Blue Moon. To make a twist, use a vegetable peeler to remove a thin strip of zest from a lemon or an orange, being careful not to include the white pith. Then, twist the peel over the cocktail to release the citrus oils.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Moon the same as a Blue Hawaiian cocktail?
No, Blue Moon and Blue Hawaiian are two different cocktails. Blue Moon is made with gin, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and simple syrup, while Blue Hawaiian is made with rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and sometimes lime juice.
Is Blue Moon a strong cocktail?
Blue Moon is a moderately strong cocktail, with an alcohol content of about 20-25% ABV (alcohol by volume), depending on the brand of gin used and the amount of simple syrup added.
Can I use other citrus fruits instead of lemon in a Blue Moon cocktail?
While lemon juice is the traditional citrus component of a Blue Moon cocktail, you can experiment with other citrus fruits like lime, grapefruit, or even blood orange to add a different flavor profile to the cocktail.
What is blue curaçao?
Blue curaçao is a bright blue liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter oranges, mixed with a blend of spices and alcohol. It has a sweet and slightly bitter flavor, and is commonly used as a coloring and flavoring agent in cocktails.
Can I make a Blue Moon without gin?
While gin is the traditional base spirit for a Blue Moon cocktail, you can experiment with other spirits like vodka, rum, or tequila to create a variation of the cocktail with a different flavor profile. However, keep in mind that this will result in a different cocktail altogether, and may not be called a Blue Moon anymore.
Blue Moon
Blue Moon is actually a variation of the Aviation Cocktail, and the color of that cocktail is not blue but a mysterious mauve color!
The origins of this drink were created around 1940 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, USA! In fact, the history of this cocktail can be traced back to the book "100 Famous Cocktails" published as early as 1934! In the recipe from the earliest days, there was no lemon juice used, due to the discontinuation of Violet Liqueur, this cocktail also disappeared for a long time, with the resumption of production of Violet Liqueur, this drink is officially back in everyone's view!
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- ⅔ oz parfait amour liqueur
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 slice of lemon peel
Instructions
Combine the gin, parfait amour liqueur and lemon juice in a shaker. Add ice and shake together.Shake well and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. Squeeze the juice from the lemon peel for aroma and garnish.
Notes
To make the Blue Moon a bit more bubbly, you can top it off with a splash of soda water or sparkling wine before serving. You can also adjust the sweetness and tartness of the cocktail by adding more or less simple syrup and lemon juice to suit your taste.
