Mudslide
A mudslide is a creamy coffee cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and cream. Shake it until cold, pour it over ice, and finish with chocolate if you like.
Total
5 min
Servings
1 cocktail
Level
Easy
The mudslide sits somewhere between a dessert drink and a simple after-dinner cocktail. It has the coffee flavor of a White Russian, plus the sweet creaminess of Irish cream liqueur.
This version is shaken with ice, then served in a rocks glass. Shaking chills the drink quickly and gives it a smooth, lightly frothy texture.
You can keep it plain or dress it up with chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, or a little shaved chocolate. It is rich, so one small glass is plenty.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
- 1 ounce Irish cream liqueur, such as Baileys
- 1 ounce heavy cream or half-and-half
- Ice, for shaking and serving
- Chocolate syrup, for the glass, optional
- Shaved chocolate, cocoa powder, or a chocolate-covered coffee bean, for garnish, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Fill a rocks glass with ice water and let it stand while you make the drink. This small step helps the mudslide stay cold longer. If you want a chocolate swirl, drizzle chocolate syrup inside the empty glass before adding ice.
2. Fill the shaker
Add a generous handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Ice is important here because it chills the drink and slightly dilutes it, which makes the cocktail smoother.
3. Add the spirits
Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream into the shaker. Measure each one if you can. Equal parts keep the drink balanced and easy to repeat.
4. Add the cream
Pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Heavy cream makes a richer drink, while half-and-half makes it lighter but still creamy.
5. Shake until cold
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold. Shaking hard blends the cream with the liqueurs and gives the drink a soft, silky texture.
6. Prepare fresh ice
Empty the ice water from the chilled glass, if using. Add fresh ice to the glass. Fresh ice keeps the drink clear-tasting and cold.
7. Strain and garnish
Strain the mudslide into the glass over the ice. Garnish with shaved chocolate, a dusting of cocoa powder, or a chocolate-covered coffee bean if you like. Serve right away.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can measure the vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream into a covered jar and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Add the cream and shake with ice just before serving.
- Storage: A finished mudslide is best right after shaking. If it sits, the ice melts and the drink turns thin. Do not store it over ice.
- Cream swap: Use half-and-half for a lighter drink, or whole milk for a less rich version. Avoid very low-fat milk, which can make the cocktail taste watery.
- Dairy-free swap: Use a dairy-free Irish cream and a plain, unsweetened oat creamer or coconut creamer. Coconut will add a noticeable flavor.
- Vodka choice: A plain vodka works well. Vanilla vodka makes the drink sweeter and more dessert-like, so you may want to skip extra chocolate syrup.
- Frozen mudslide: Blend the vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, cream, and 1 to 1 1/2 cups ice until smooth. Serve in a chilled glass and drink right away before it melts.
Cook's note
This recipe is for adults of legal drinking age. Because the drink is creamy and sweet, it can taste gentler than it is. Sip slowly and serve in modest portions.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What is in a mudslide cocktail?
A classic mudslide is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, and cream. It is usually shaken with ice and served cold.
Is a mudslide the same as a White Russian?
They are similar, but not the same. A White Russian is vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. A mudslide adds Irish cream liqueur, which makes it sweeter and creamier.
Can I make a mudslide without a cocktail shaker?
Yes. Use a jar with a tight lid. Add the ingredients and ice, close it firmly, and shake until cold. Strain the drink into a glass over fresh ice.
Can I make a mudslide less sweet?
Yes. Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, skip chocolate syrup, and choose a less sweet coffee liqueur if you have one. You can also increase the cream by 1/2 ounce to soften the sweetness without adding more alcohol.
Can I serve mudslides for a party?
Yes, but shake them in small batches for the best texture. For 4 drinks, combine 4 ounces each vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and cream. Shake with plenty of ice in batches, then strain into ice-filled glasses.
05Keep cooking
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