You Have to Try the Amazing Turtle Cocktail at Playa Forte Restaurant in Curaçao

If you love trying fun, tropical cocktails, this one’s a must. I came across the Turtle Cocktail at Playa Forte Restaurant, and it immediately caught my attention with those bright blue and green colors. It’s made with vodka, blue and green Curaçao, a splash of lemon juice, and topped with ginger ale—super refreshing with just the right amount of citrus and fizz.

Playa Forte Restaurant sits right by the water and really leans into those laid-back Caribbean vibes, which makes this cocktail feel even more fitting. The name “Turtle Cocktail” is a nod to the sea turtles around Curaçao, and honestly, the colors alone make it feel like something you’d sip while watching the ocean.

This cocktail brings the beach to you. Even if you can’t be on a tropical island, you can feel like you are with every sip of this refreshing drink. It’s perfect for pool parties, BBQs, or a relaxing patio evening.

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The Playa Forte Turtle Cocktail Ingredients

1. Vodka
2. Blue Curaçao
3. Green Curaçao (I substituted Midori)
4. Ginger Ale
5. Lemon Juice (not shown)
6. Slice of Pineapple and Cherry for Garnish, Optional

Tips

With all of the vodkas on the market, I use Stoli, Absolut, Ketel One, or Grey Goose to make cocktails. Use good quality spirits. The better the ingredients, the better your cocktail will taste.

While in Curaçao, we visited the distillery known for producing the iconic blue liqueur the island is known for: Blue Curaçao. The rounded shape of the bottle represents the Valencia orange, and the neck represents its stem. Apparently, if you buy Curaçao liqueur and the bottle is in a different shape, it is not a genuine article! Unfortunately, it’s not easy to find ‘the original’.

I only purchased a bottle of blue Curaçao, not green, so I swapped in Midori for the green. It adds a nice touch of fruitiness, and since Midori is a little heavier, it settles at the bottom—so the colors end up beautifully layered but flipped.

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The Right Glass Matters

Squeeze the Day: The Must-Have Citrus Tool

Pairing with Playa Forte’s Menu

The Turtle Cocktail pairs wonderfully with Playa Forte’s seafood offerings. Try it with their grilled shrimp or ceviche to enhance the tropical flavors of the dish. The cocktail’s refreshing qualities also make it an excellent match for lighter fare like salads or fruit platters, allowing the natural flavors of the food to shine through.

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How to Make ‘My Version’ of the Turtle Cocktail

Fill a tall glass with ice.

Add the lemon juice, Ginger Ale, vodka and Blue Curacao to the glass and stir gently.

Slowly pour the Green Curacao onto the top of the ice. If using a substitute, like Midori Liqueur, the Midori will sink to the bottom of the glass, reversing the colors, and the green will be on the bottom instead of the top.

Garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry.

Final Sip

A trip to Curaçao isn’t just about the views—it’s about the food, the drinks, and soaking up the whole experience. The Turtle Cocktail at Playa Forte Restaurant is one of those drinks that just fits the setting perfectly. It’s colorful, refreshing, and the kind of cocktail you’ll remember long after the trip is over.

If you ever find yourself on the island, it’s definitely worth stopping by Playa Forte Restaurant to try it for yourself. But if not, you can always mix one up at home and bring a little bit of that Caribbean vibe to your own kitchen. Cheers to a little taste of the Caribbean!

Discover more lush flavors of exotic tropical cocktails that will transport your taste buds to a sun-kissed island escape: Curaçao Cocktails.

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