Swimming Pool Cocktail Recipe
Swimming Pool Nutrition Facts
Calories:350
Fat:5g
Protein:1g
Carbohydrates:25g
Alcohol:15%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: August 23, 2024
Contents
History
The Swimming Pool cocktail was created in the 1970s by Charles Schumann, a legendary bartender from Munich, Germany. It quickly gained popularity due to its refreshing taste and visually appealing blue color. This tropical cocktail is perfect for poolside parties, beach vacations, and anyone who enjoys a fruity, refreshing drink.
- Charles Schumann is also the author of several bartending books
- The blue color of the cocktail comes from Blue Curaçao, a popular liqueur in tropical drinks
- The Swimming Pool is often served in a hurricane glass, which adds to its vacation vibe
How Swimming Pool Tastes?
The Swimming Pool cocktail has a sweet, fruity, and slightly creamy taste. It is not too strong, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer lighter cocktails. The combination of pineapple, coconut, and citrus flavors creates a refreshing and tropical experience.
Interesting facts about Swimming Pool
- The blue color of the cocktail is due to the Blue Curaçao, which is made from the dried peel of the Laraha citrus fruit
- The Swimming Pool is often garnished with a pineapple wedge and a cherry, adding to its tropical presentation
- This cocktail is sometimes made with a splash of cream, giving it a slightly richer and creamier texture
Ingredients
- Vodka: 30ml
- White rum: 30ml
- Blue curaçao: 15ml
- Pineapple juice: 60ml
- Cream of coconut: 30ml
- Ice: As needed
- Pineapple wedge: 1
- Maraschino cherry: 1
A few good options for Swimming Pool are:
- Grey Goose
- Belvedere
- Khor
- Smirnoff
Vodka (30ml)
Vodka provides a clean, neutral alcohol base that carries the other flavors without overpowering them. At 30ml, it's just enough to give the drink a kick without turning it into a dragon's breath. If you skip it, you'll lose the cocktail's backbone—like a swimming pool without water.
Emma Rose
White Rum (30ml)
White rum adds a light, sweet and slightly fruity note that complements the tropical profile of the drink. If vodka is the canvas, think of rum as the first splash of color. Remove it, and your 'Swimming Pool' may just feel too shallow.
Alex Green
Blue Curaçao (15ml)
This liqueur gives the cocktail its iconic aquamarine hue, reminiscent of a sparkling swimming pool, and adds a hint of citrus flavor. If you forgo it, your drink will be missing that 'blue sky' feeling—a pool party on a cloudy day, anyone?
Mary Mitkina
Pineapple Juice (60ml)
Sweet and tangy, pineapple juice brings tropical vibes and freshness, bridging the spirits and the creamy ingredients. It's also crucial for balancing the drink's alcohol strength. Without it, your cocktail turns from a 'Swimming Pool' into a 'Mud Puddle'.
Emma Rose
Cream of Coconut (30ml)
This ingredient provides a velvety smoothness and a touch of sweetness, rounding out the flavors. It's like adding sunscreen—it prevents the other ingredients from 'burning'. Skip it, and the cocktail may taste slightly less indulgent, like a pool without a lounge chair.
Alex Green
Ice (As needed)
Essential for chilling and diluting the drink to the perfect sipping strength. It's the difference between a refreshing dip and a hot tub. Without enough ice, your cocktail would feel like swimming in lukewarm waters.
Mary Mitkina
Pineapple Wedge (1)
Adding that final touch of tropical flair and a fruity nibble, it's the diving board into your 'Swimming Pool' cocktail. No pineapple wedge? The drink loses a piece of its sunny charm.
Emma Rose
Maraschino Cherry (1)
The cherry is the colorful beach ball bobbing in your drink, a sweet garnish to complete the holiday feel. Without it, the cocktail would still be delightful but miss a spot of vibrant color and a classic touch.
Alex Green
Recipe. How to make Swimming Pool Drink
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
- Add vodka, white rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut
- Shake well until chilled and combined
- Strain the mixture into a hurricane glass filled with ice
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry
Pro Tips
- Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously to ensure the ingredients are well mixed
- Use fresh pineapple juice for a more refreshing taste
- Chill the hurricane glass before pouring the cocktail to keep it cool for longer
Perfect Pairings
Food Pairings
- Tropical or Light Dishes: Given the sweet and tropical nature of the Swimming Pool cocktail, it complements light dishes like grilled fish, shrimp, or chicken marinated with herbs and citrus flavors.
- Barbecue: The sweet and creamy texture can balance the smokiness of barbecued meats.
- Fruit Salads: The cocktail's fruity notes blend harmoniously with a fresh fruit salad, enhancing the tropical vibe.
- Cheese Platters: A platter featuring milder cheeses such as brie or mozzarella can be a delightful contrast to the cocktail's sweetness.
Drink Pairings
- Sparkling Water: To cleanse the palate between sips of the sweet cocktail.
- Iced Tea: Non-alcoholic and refreshing, it can pair well without overpowering the flavors of the cocktail.
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What you could change in Swimming Pool
- Blue Curaçao: Can be replaced with any other blue liqueur
- White Rum: Can be replaced with light rum or coconut rum for a more tropical flavor
- Cream of Coconut: Can be replaced with coconut milk for a lighter version
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Frozen Swimming Pool
- Ingredients: Same as the original, but with the addition of crushed ice.
- Recipe: Blend all the ingredients with crushed ice until smooth.
- Taste Change: This version is slushier and even more refreshing, perfect for really hot days when the sun's grilling you like a BBQ.
Sunset Pool
- Ingredients: Use grenadine syrup instead of cream of coconut.
- Recipe: Layer grenadine at the bottom, then carefully pour the mixed vodka, rum, blue curaçao, and pineapple juice over.
- Taste Change: Introduces a sweet, tart pomegranate flavor and creates a beautiful sunset gradient—like the sky's blushing from seeing someone skinny-dip.
Tropical Oasis
- Ingredients: Add a splash of mango juice and switch blue curaçao to orange curaçao.
- Recipe: Mix all ingredients in a shaker and pour into a glass filled with ice.
- Taste Change: It's a burst of tropical fruits, making you feel like you're lounging on an exotic island, minus the sand in your shorts.
In case you forgot basics how to make Swimming Pool
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
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Frequently Asked Questions on Swimming Pool
When is the best time to enjoy a Swimming Pool cocktail?
While the Swimming Pool cocktail can be enjoyed at any time of the year, it's particularly popular in the warmer summer months due to its refreshing and tropical taste. It's most commonly served at pool parties and beach vacations.
What bar tools will I need to make a Swimming Pool cocktail?
You will need a cocktail shaker and a strainer to make a Swimming Pool cocktail, aside from that a hurricane glass to serve it in. A jigger might be useful to measure the ingredients, and a cocktail pick would be needed if you want to garnish with a maraschino cherry.
How did the Swimming Pool cocktail get its name?
The Swimming Pool cocktail got its name due to its stunning mesmerizing blue color, reminiscent of crystal-clear swimming pools.
Is it possible to make a non-alcoholic version of the Swimming Pool cocktail?
Yes. While the traditional recipe includes vodka and white rum, these can be easily substituted with non-alcoholic alternatives or left out entirely, while still preserving the fruity and tropical flavor of the cocktail.
Why is the Laraha fruit used in Blue Curaçao? Are there alternatives?
The Laraha citrus fruit used in Blue Curaçao is valued for its aromatic peel. It gives the liqueur its unique color and slightly bitter flavor. Should you be unable to find Blue Curaçao, other blue liqueurs may work as substitute, though they will not result in exactly the same flavor.
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