Bols Blue Curacao 750ML is a vivid blue orange liqueur bottled at 21% ABV (42 proof), produced by Lucas Bols in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Recognized as the world's best-selling blue curaçao, this expression earned a Silver medal at the 2022 International Wine & Spirit Competition and Bronze medals at both the 2024 and 2025 IWSC. Its signature electric-blue hue and clean orange flavor profile have made it a bartending staple for decades.

Quick Facts: ABV: 21%  |  Origin: Amsterdam, Netherlands  |  Style: Blue Curaçao Orange Liqueur  |  Distillery: Lucas Bols (est. 1575)

Production & Heritage

Lucas Bols, founded in 1575, holds the distinction of being the oldest distillery brand in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world. Bols Blue Curaçao is distilled using a proprietary blend of three orange varieties: sweet red oranges, bitter Curaçao oranges from the Caribbean island of the same name, and rare Kinnow oranges. The base begins with a distillate of especially aromatic bitter orange peel, which is then blended with herbs and sweetened. The iconic blue color comes from Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) food coloring. Historically known in the 19th century as "Crème de Ciel" — French for "cream of the sky" — this remains one of the oldest flavors in the modern Bols liqueur range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh, ripe orange dominates the nose immediately, followed by a softer undertone of bitter orange peel and a faint floral suggestion reminiscent of daffodil. The overall impression is clean and inviting, with a decidedly sweet character.

Taste: The palate opens with a syrupy sweetness that coats the mouth, moving quickly into orange zest and orange blossom at mid-palate. The flavor profile is focused and linear — concentrated orange throughout, with the sugar lending a thick, almost nectarous mouthfeel. At 21% ABV, there is virtually no alcohol bite, letting the citrus come through unimpeded.

Finish: Short to medium in length, with soft orange tones that fade cleanly. There is no lingering bitterness, just a gentle, sweet citrus echo that exits without complication.

How to Drink Bols Blue Curaçao

Bols Blue Curaçao is designed primarily as a mixing liqueur rather than a sipping spirit. Its low ABV and high sweetness make it most effective as a cocktail ingredient where both color and citrus flavor are desired.

• Blue Lagoon: The definitive showcase — vodka, Bols Blue, and lemonade create the drink most associated with this liqueur.
• Blue Margarita: Substituting or supplementing triple sec with Bols Blue adds visual drama and an extra layer of orange sweetness alongside tequila and lime.
• Swimming Pool: A tropical combination with vodka, rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and Bols Blue that highlights the liqueur's ability to create striking layered colors.

Best For

• Building a home cocktail bar with essential mixing liqueurs
• Themed parties and events where visual presentation matters
• Bartenders seeking consistent color and flavor in blue cocktail builds
• Tropical and tiki drink enthusiasts expanding their ingredient shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bols Blue Curaçao taste like? Bols Blue Curaçao tastes predominantly of sweet orange with notes of orange zest and orange blossom, carried by a thick, syrupy mouthfeel. The flavor is clean and one-dimensional in its citrus focus, finishing soft and short.

How does Bols Blue Curaçao compare to Cointreau? Cointreau is a clear, higher-proof (40% ABV) triple sec with a drier, more balanced bitter-sweet orange profile, while Bols Blue sits at 21% ABV with a sweeter, more syrupy character and its signature blue color. In cocktails, Cointreau functions as a more refined orange modifier, whereas Bols Blue contributes both vivid color and pronounced sweetness.

Is Bols Blue Curaçao good for cocktails? Bols Blue Curaçao is purpose-built for cocktail use and functions best as a mixing ingredient rather than a neat pour. Its strong orange flavor, reliable blue hue, and moderate sweetness make it one of the most widely used blue curaçaos behind professional and home bars alike.

Where is Bols Blue Curaçao made? Bols Blue Curaçao is produced by Lucas Bols at their distillery in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The company has operated since 1575, making it one of the longest-running distillery brands in the world.

What foods pair well with Bols Blue Curaçao? Dark chocolate truffles complement its orange sweetness. Coconut-based desserts like panna cotta echo the tropical cocktails it stars in. Citrus tarts or orange cake create a harmonious orange-on-orange pairing. Grilled shrimp skewers with a citrus glaze work well alongside a Bols Blue cocktail, and mild soft cheeses like brie provide a creamy contrast to the liqueur's sweetness.

What sizes does Bols Blue Curaçao come in? Bols Blue Curaçao is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, and may also be found in 1L formats depending on market availability.

Is Bols Blue Curaçao worth the price? Bols Blue Curaçao positions firmly in the value tier for orange liqueurs, priced well below premium competitors like Cointreau or Grand Marnier. For its intended purpose as a cocktail colorant and orange sweetener, it delivers strong utility per bottle and remains the industry benchmark for blue curaçao.

Why Bols Blue Curaçao?

No other blue curaçao on the market carries the heritage of a distillery that dates to 1575. The use of three distinct orange varieties — including the bitter Curaçao oranges that define the category and the rare Kinnow orange that adds aromatic complexity — separates this from generic blue liqueurs that rely solely on artificial flavoring. Its 2022 IWSC Silver medal and consecutive Bronze awards in 2024 and 2025 confirm consistent quality at competition level. As the original and still best-selling blue curaçao worldwide, Bols Blue remains the standard against which every competitor in the category is measured.