Angelo Azzurro, which translates to “Blue Angel,” is an elegant Italian cocktail named for its vivid blue hue reminiscent of Capri’s Blue Grotto. The color comes from Blue Curaçao, blended here with gin and triple sec for a refined, citrusy spirit-forward drink.
Angelo Azzurro, che bello!
The Angelo Azzurro is striking to look at and pleasing on the palate. Bright citrus notes from the triple sec and Blue Curaçao combine with the botanical character of gin to create a sophisticated cocktail. Be aware: it’s a strong drink and delivers a noticeable kick.
What Is An Angelo Azzurro Cocktail?
This cocktail has its roots in Italy. While its exact origin isn’t precisely documented, it has long been appreciated in Italy and is gaining recognition elsewhere. Compared with more famous Italian cocktails like the Negroni or the Bellini, Angelo Azzurro is less common but equally elegant.
The basic proportions are simple and easy to scale:
- 3 parts gin
- 1 1/2 parts triple sec
- 1/2 part Blue Curaçao
The recipe below yields one cocktail. Traditionally the drink is strained into a martini or coupe glass and finished with a lemon peel.
How to Make an Angelo Azzurro
Gather your ingredients:
- Blue Curaçao
- Triple sec
- Gin
Equipment: cocktail shaker, jigger or measuring tool, martini or coupe glass, and ice.
Method:
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Add Blue Curaçao, triple sec, and gin in the proportions above.
- Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel or slice and serve immediately.
Other Italian-Inspired Gin Cocktails
If you have gin on hand, try other Italian-inspired gin cocktails to complement the Angelo Azzurro, such as classic Negroni variations, grapefruit-forward gin drinks, or a savory olive martini.
Food Pairings
Because the Angelo Azzurro is potent, serving it with food or after a selection of appetizers helps balance the experience. Good pairings include simple pasta dishes, vegetable-forward plates, or light pizzas — flavors that complement citrus and herbal gin notes without overpowering them.
If you enjoyed this Angelo Azzurro cocktail, feel free to leave a comment describing how it turned out. We love hearing about variations and serving suggestions.
Angelo Azzurro
Pin
Ingredients
- 3 oz Gin
- 1 1/2 oz Triple Sec
- 1/2 oz Blue Curaçao
- 1 cup ice
- 1 peel lemon (for garnish)
Instructions
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Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
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Pour in Blue Curaçao, triple sec, and gin.
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Shake for approximately 20 seconds until well chilled.
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Strain into a martini or coupe glass.
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Twist a lemon peel over the drink, add as a garnish, and serve immediately.
Notes
- This is a classic recipe with few common variations, but you can adapt it to taste.
- To lower the alcohol content, serve over ice and top with club soda.
- For garnish alternatives, use an orange slice or orange peel instead of lemon.
- Avoid replacing triple sec with colored liqueurs like Grand Marnier or Gran Gala, as they can change the signature blue color; triple sec is colorless and preserves the appearance.
- Chill the glass briefly in the freezer or rinse it with ice water to keep the cocktail colder and give the glass a frosty look.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and provided as an approximation.