The Hard Ocean Water cocktail was inspired by the Ocean Water beverage sold at Sonic’s drive-in. Christina at Modern Bonvivant wanted to create a grown-up version of this unique flavor.

Instead of coconut rum, she chose a newer and lighter option – coconut vodka. You can substitute coconut rum if you prefer it or if that’s what you’ve got on hand.

This is a delicious tropical-ish drink that’s perfect for warm weather. The blend of coconut vodka, blue curacao and lemon lime soda makes for a wonderful coconut and citrus flavor most anyone will love.

The coconut vodka gives the drink its enjoyable tropical vibe. The blue curacao gives it its color and a hint of orange flavor. The bubbly lemon lime soda is what makes it refreshing.

The most prominent taste in this drink is coconut, but it’s not at all cloying. The blue curaçao is as much for color as flavor, and the citrus from the lemon lime soda is also surprisingly subdued, serving more to mellow the coconut than to change the flavor.

This is a light, refreshing drink ideal for a hot summer afternoon. It’s not designed to be sophisticated – it doesn’t layer complex flavors or call for ingredients you have to make yourself.

But that’s the beauty of it – it’s simple and easy to make, and it tastes great and looks gorgeous. It’s perfect for a day at the beach, or a day when you wish you were at the beach.

You don’t need to garnish this drink. It’s so good on its own that you should feel free to serve it as is. If you do want to garnish it, use any citrus fruit you like.

Coconut could be another option for garnish, if you happen to have it on hand. But again, there’s no need whatsoever for garnish. Part of this drink’s appeal is its simplicity.

This drink is a great for warm weather because it’s refreshing and full of flavor. The blue curacao makes it actually resemble the ocean. The contrast between the coconut and citrus flavors is just right.

Hard Ocean Water

Name: Hard Ocean Water
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 ounces Skyy Infusions Coconut Vodka; 1 ounce blue curacao; Sprite

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

The Hard Ocean Water cocktail was inspired by the Ocean Water beverage sold at Sonic's drive-in. Featuring coconut rum, blue curacao and lemon-lime soda.