Kinky Blue is sold as "vodka liqueur." It's actually a 17% ABV fruit liqueur. I don't swap it for Tito's in a dry martini. I keep a bottle for freezer shots and blue party drinks. I don't consider it a bar staple. If the label is confusing, here is the breakdown of what it is and when I skip it.
What is Kinky Blue?
Kinky Blue is a 17% ABV liqueur from Crosby Lake Spirits. It's made with five-times-distilled vodka and wild berry flavors. Buy real vodka if you need a 40% spirit for cocktails; this is already sweet and flavored.
What does it taste like?
It tastes like berry candy with tropical notes. It's fine cold but cloying when warm. Chill the bottle before you judge it—warmth makes it too sugary.
Kinky Blue vs. Kinky Pink
Original Kinky (or Kinky Pink) uses the same vodka base with mango, blood orange, and passion fruit. Kinky Blue uses wild berry and tropical flavors instead. Both are 17% ABV. Buy Pink for passion fruit; buy Blue for berry color.
Kinky Blue vs. blue curaçao
Blue curaçao is an orange liqueur used for color and citrus. Kinky Blue is a 17% ABV berry liqueur. I use curaçao for orange flavor. I use Kinky Blue for the color and berry sweetness.
Kinky Blue vs. Hpnotiq
Hpnotiq is also 17% ABV but blends vodka, cognac, and tropical juices. Kinky Blue uses only vodka and tastes like wild berry. Pick Hpnotiq for tropical cognac drinks. Pick Kinky Blue for berry sweetness at a lower price.
| Bottle | ABV | Base | Flavor lean | My use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinky Blue | 17% | 5× vodka | Wild berry + tropical | Blue punch, freezer shots |
| Original Kinky (Pink) | 17% | 5× vodka | Mango, blood orange, passion fruit | Pink tropical builds |
| Blue curaçao | varies | neutral spirit + orange | Citrus orange | Blue Lagoon, color + orange |
| Hpnotiq | 17% | vodka + cognac + juice | Passion fruit, tropical | Hpnotiq-style sparklers |
How I pour it
I use it in a Blue Rita with tequila and lime, or a Kinky 75 with ginger syrup and lemonade. It also works in a Blue Lagoon if you want berry flavor instead of orange. I skip martinis and Negronis—a 17% liqueur is too weak for those.
When to skip it
Pass if you want a real 40% vodka. Check our home bar guide for the essentials. Pass if you don't like sweet liqueurs or already have blue curaçao. It's sold as a flavored liqueur, not a watered-down spirit.
Is it worth it?
It's about $20 for a 750 mL bottle. It's worth it for a blue-themed party. Skip it if you prefer neat spirits or a dry bar. I keep a bottle chilled for punch. I don't keep it on my main shelf.
References
- Prestige Beverage Group — Kinky portfolio
- PR Newswire — KINKY Blue launches nationwide (2014)
- Liquor Barn — Kinky Blue 750 mL
- Hpnotiq — official site (17% ABV)
- Seattle Refined — Let's Get Kinky cocktail
- Kinky Beverages — Kinky Blue product page
For the market frame behind the bottle picks, see Whiskey Export Strategy 2026: Why France Became Aberlour’s Breakout….