The ‘Water Hazard’ Drink: A Golf-Themed Cocktail Recipe
The Water Hazard is a bright blue, citrusy cocktail that gets its name and color from the water features found on golf courses. It’s made with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade – a simple, refreshing drink you can mix in under two minutes.
What You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 1.5 oz (1 shot) | Any standard vodka works; avoid flavored vodkas (vanilla, berry) that clash with citrus |
| Blue curaçao | 0.5 oz | Gives the blue color and orange-lime flavor; DeKuyper or Bols deliver a truer color and cleaner taste |
| Lemonade | 4–6 oz | Fresh-squeezed or store-bought; unsweetened if you prefer less sugar |
| Ice | As needed | Cubed or crushed – crushed ice gives a slushier texture |
| Lemon wheel or lime slice | For garnish | Optional but recommended for visual contrast |
Tools: Highball or Collins glass, jigger or shot glass, bar spoon or stir stick.
Applicability Note – This recipe is for a single serving. To make a 4-serving pitcher: 6 oz vodka, 2 oz blue curaçao, 24 oz lemonade. For a non-alcoholic version (often called a “Water Haz—er, rinse”), replace vodka with extra lemonade or a clear soda, skip the blue curaçao, and use a few drops of blue food coloring or a blue sports drink to maintain the color. The base recipe works with any vodka brand, but steer clear of flavored vodkas because they compete with the tart citrus.
How to Make a Water Hazard Cocktail
1. Fill your glass with ice cubes (or crushed ice for a faster chill).
2. Pour in the vodka and blue curaçao.
3. Top with lemonade to fill the glass – about 4–6 ounces depending on glass size.
4. Stir gently to combine – about 10 seconds until the color is even. The drink should be uniformly bright blue with no streaks of clear vodka.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel or lime slice.
That’s it – no shaker required. The Water Hazard is one of the quickest golf-themed cocktails to mix, which is why it’s a go‑to for clubhouse bars and tournament watch parties.
Practical Implication for Taste
If you want a less sweet drink, use unsweetened lemonade or add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. For a stronger kick, increase vodka to 2 oz and cut lemonade back to 3–4 oz. Taste before serving: you should get sweet and tart citrus first, then a hint of orange from the curaçao, with the vodka providing a clean finish. If it tastes harsh or boozy, add more lemonade. If it tastes too syrupy, add a splash of club soda or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
How to Verify Your Drink Is Balanced
Stir until no streaks of clear vodka remain – the blue should be uniform throughout. Take a small sip. You’re looking for a bright citrus flavor that isn’t cloying and a clean alcohol finish. If the color looks greenish instead of bright blue, your blue curaçao may be low quality or past its prime. If the drink tastes flat or watery, your lemonade might be too dilute – consider using a concentrated lemonade or adding a dash of fresh lemon juice.
Why It’s Called a Water Hazard
In golf, a water hazard is any pond, lake, or stream that comes into play – usually marked by yellow or red stakes. This drink mimics the look of that bright blue water, and its name is a playful nod to some of the most famous course features in the world: the pond guarding the 16th green at Augusta National, the lake along the 18th at TPC Sawgrass, the “Blue Monster” water at Doral’s 18th, and the creek that fronts the 12th at Augusta. You’ll often see it served at golf club bars, tournaments, and backyard watch parties for the Masters or the Ryder Cup.
The drink isn’t an official USGA creation – it’s a bartender invention that caught on because it’s easy to remember and fits the golf theme. Some clubs serve variations: a “Gin Water Hazard” with gin instead of vodka, or a “Splash Water Hazard” with a top-off of lemon-lime soda for extra fizz. The Water Hazard has become a staple of golf culture, especially during summer tournament season. It’s also a cousin to the classic 19th Hole cocktail (often a simple whiskey or beer) and to the Arnold Palmer – but the Water Hazard stands out for its eye‑catching color and two‑ingredient simplicity.
Common Mismatch or Trade-Off
Using a cheap blue curaçao can produce an artificial, syrupy sweetness that overpowers the lemonade – the drink may end up tasting like candy rather than a balanced cocktail. Premium blue curaçao (e.g., DeKuyper or Bols) gives a cleaner orange flavor and a truer blue color. If you can’t find blue curaçao at all, you can mix triple sec with a few drops of blue food coloring, but the flavor will be closer to plain orange liqueur (less lime note). Avoid using blue Gatorade as a direct substitute in the alcoholic version – it adds electrolytes, a different sweetness profile, and a thicker texture that changes the drink’s character. Blue Gatorade works fine for a non-alcoholic mocktail, but it won’t taste like the cocktail.
When you’re serving a group, consider batch‑making it in a clear pitcher so the blue color shows through – it’s an instant conversation starter. For a Masters watch party, garnish with a small golf tee as a toothpick for the lemon wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make a water hazard golf drink?
Combine 1.5 oz vodka, 0.5 oz blue curaçao, and 4–6 oz lemonade over ice. Stir and garnish with a citrus slice. Adjust sweetness or strength to your preference.
What are the ingredients for a water hazard?
Vodka, blue curaçao, lemonade, and ice. Optional garnish: lemon or lime. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute vodka with extra lemonade or a clear soda and use blue food coloring.
Is water hazard a golf drink?
Yes – it’s a themed cocktail named after golf course water hazards. It is not an official drink of any golf organization, but it is widely recognized in golf culture and increasingly popular at clubhouses and watch parties.
What is the famous golf drink called?
The most famous golf-themed cocktail is the 19th Hole (usually a mixed drink or beer). The Water Hazard is a close second in popularity, especially during summer tournaments and the Masters. Other notable golf drinks include the Arnold Palmer (half iced tea, half lemonade) and the Birdie Punch (a fruity batch cocktail).
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.