Relax with our simple Swimming Pool Cocktail recipe! This refreshing cocktail is a summertime favorite, made with vodka, white rum, coconut cream, half-and-half, pineapple juice, and blue curacao.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 522
Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 1 oz White Rum
- ¼ oz Blue Curacao
- 2 oz cream of coconut
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz single cream or Half-and-half
- Ice cubes
- Crushed ice
- Pineapple wedge and cherry - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball or Hurricane Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Highball or Hurricane glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Creams: In the shaker, pour 1 oz single cream or Half-and-half and 2 oz cream of coconut.
- Add Pineapple Juice: Add 2 oz pineapple juice.
- Add Spirits: Measure and pour 1 oz Vodka and 1 oz White Rum into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Hurricane or Highball glass and discard the ice inside. Then, use the cocktail strainer to strain the shaken drink into the chilled glass.
- Add Crushed Ice: Fill the glass with a generous amount of crushed ice.
- Float Blue Curaçao: In the jigger, measure ¼ oz Blue Curacao and carefully pour it over the crushed ice to create a “float” effect.
- Garnish: Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Vodka: If you're out of vodka, you can use gin for a more botanical flavor or simply substitute it with more rum (light rum or even dark rum if you want to make your drink a little bit more rum-forward). Vanilla vodka can be used to create an interesting twist on this cocktail, too.
- White Rum: Dark rum can also be used to make this cocktail, or even coconut rum. If you don’t have any rum on hand at all, you can simply replace it with more vodka.
- Pineapple Juice: If you don’t have pineapple juice, a blend of tropical juices can be used as a substitute. Mango juice also works, but it will alter both the taste and the appearance of the cocktail.
- Single Cream / Half and half: If you are not a fan or simply avoid dairy in general, you can make a “coconut half and half” by mixing together coconut cream and coconut milk (or any other type of milk of your choice).
- Cream of Coconut: If you don't have cream of coconut, coconut milk can work as a substitute, but it won't be as creamy. Before using, add ½ oz of simple syrup and mix it well; this will help get a texture and a taste closer to store-bought coconut cream.
- Blue Curacao: You can use blue food coloring mixed with triple sec or dry curaçao if you don't have blue Curacao, as the blue is only for aesthetic purposes (blue curaçao normally taste the same as non-colored curaçao).
Making a Pitcher of Swimming Pool Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of vodka, 8 oz of light rum, 16 oz of coconut cream of coconut, 16 oz of pineapple juice, 2 oz of blue curacao, and 8 oz of single cream of half and half.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients except the blue curaçao. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual highball or hurricane glasses and fill them with a generous amount of crushed ice. Add a straw and gently float a bit of blue curaçao (approx. ¼ oz, but you can adjust to taste) on top of each glass. Garnish each drink with a pineapple wedge and a candied cherry and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Vodka & Light Rum Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic rum substitute to replace both these spirits (2 oz per drink in total); these are available and reasonably mimic rum’s If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own rum substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla, cinnamon, clove, allspice and banana are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-rum” can be kept for up to a week.
- Blue Curacao Substitute: Opt for an orange extract mixed with a bit of simple syrup and a drop of blue food coloring to mimic the sweet citrus flavor of curaçao. You can also use orange peel syrup as a substitute. To make your own syrup, mix together 1 part white sugar and white part water over low heat. Stir well to dissolve the sugar, remove from the heat and add orange peels to the syrup. Let the mixture cool down to temperature, transfer to an airtight container and let it infuse in the fridge for at least one day. For a stronger flavor, you may add a drop of bitter orange essence to the mix. When ready to use, strain to remove the peels, add a drop or two of blue food coloring and store in the fridge after use.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
To make a vegan version of the Swimming Pool cocktail, simply replace the single cream or half-and-half with a vegan alternative. You can use any type or brand you like, but we recommend using almond or coconut-based cream as their flavor will pair best with the rest of the ingredients. Once you’ve found a substitute that you like, simply follow the rest of the recipe as usual for a delicious vegan Swimming Pool Cocktail.What is a Swimming Pool Cocktail?
A Swimming Pool Cocktail is a tropical cocktail made of vodka, light rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, blue curacao, and half-and-half or single cream. The vibrant blue color of the blue curacao gives it its distinctive “swimming pool” appearance, making it an eye-catching addition to any summer gathering or pool party.
What is a Swimming Pool Cocktail made of – The ingredients
The essentials for creating a Swimming Pool Cocktail include the following:
- Vodka: This clear distilled alcoholic beverage forms the cocktail’s base, providing a strong and smooth kick.
- White Rum: This light spirit boosts the alcohol content and complements the tropical flavors in the cocktail.
- Cream of Coconut: A sweet, creamy ingredient that adds a tropical flavor and rich texture to the cocktail.
- Pineapple Juice: This juice gives the cocktail a sweet and tangy taste, enhancing its tropical vibe.
- Blue Curacao: A liqueur that gives the cocktail its distinctive blue color and adds a hint of citrus flavor.
- Single Cream (or Half-and-Half): This adds a rich, smooth texture to the drink, balancing out the sweetness with a creamy, velvety mouthfeel.
- Crushed Ice: Used to chill the drink thoroughly, it also creates a slushy texture that makes the cocktail more refreshing.
- Pineapple Wedge and Maraschino Cherry: Classic tropical garnishes that not only enhance the drink’s presentation but also add a hint of additional flavor when stirred in.
