But it doesn’t have to be that way—a Mudslide can be subtle, and while rich, not nearly as sweet as you might think. Due to the association with dessert, a Mudslide is typically enjoyed as an after-dinner drink. If you’re thinking of enjoying this a little later as a nightcap, just be forewarned that caffeine levels in coffee liqueurs can vary, so check the label first. It might be the difference between perking you up after a big dinner and pacing the floor at 2 in the morning.
What’s a Mudslide?
This creamy, shaken cocktail is comprised of vodka, Irish cream, and coffee liqueur. Supposedly it’s a riff on the classic White Russian, which has vodka, Kahlúa, and heavy cream. For the Mudslide, the heavy cream is swapped out with Irish Cream, which is a blend of Irish whiskey, cream, and chocolate. It can only be made in Ireland to be called Irish Cream. While the original recipe was made with Bailey’s Irish Cream, I reach for Kerrygold’s Irish Cream for this and most any recipe that calls for Irish Cream. It has a very chocolatey aroma and taste, and the whiskey is present, but not overpowering. It’s delicious on its own but mixes up well in cocktails. It tastes like a high-quality chocolate. I personally love the Australian brand, Mr. Black Cold Brew Liqueur, with its intense coffee flavor, and often use it instead of Kalhúa. Want to try making your own Kahlúa? Here’s a homemade version that might do the trick.
The Origin Story
Tracing a drink back to its origin gives it some weight. And I love knowing all the fun tidbits about drinks and their history. The Mudslide has a mostly clear-cut origin that starts at The Wreck Bar & Grill at Rum Point on Grand Cayman. It was there that a bartender was asked to make a White Russian. Not having any cream on hand, they used Bailey’s Irish Cream, which had just come to market in the mid-1970s. The creation took off, becoming a household name to this day.
How to Make a Mudslide
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, vodka, Irish Cream, and coffee liqueur. This is important: shake it properly. With these liqueurs, you need to shake hard and long (about 20 seconds) to incorporate everything. Shake it vigorously to uniformly mix the cocktail and give it a proper dilution (the amount of water that gets into your drink). Shaking the drink also introduces some air bubbles into the mix. It will give your cocktail a foamy top, a pleasurable addition to creamy drinks.
Swaps and Substitutions
A Mudslide cocktail is yummy on its own, but it’s also a great base for mixing things up. Try a few of these swaps and subs after you’ve mastered the original.
Make it frozen! Although a Mudslide is known to be served on the rocks, you can blend it with ice or even ice cream to make a frosty, adults-only treat.Although the name may suggest a more chocolate-y cocktail, there is, in fact, only a hint of chocolate from the Irish Cream. If you prefer to turn up the chocolate and really make this a dessert cocktail, add in a tablespoon of chocolate sauce before shaking.Chocolate and raspberries are a sweet match and if you enjoy that combo, swap out regular vodka with a raspberry vodka for a fruity take on the drink.If you’re considering a garnish for this drink, try a light sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings.
More Creamy Cocktails to Try
Grasshopper Cocktail Brandy Alexander Cocktail Coconut White Russian Chocolate Martini Milk Punch
