This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
Here’s how to make a mudslide cocktail with vodka, Kahlua, and Irish cream! This creamy mudslide recipe can be served shaken as the classic drink or frozen: both versions are absolutely delicious.
The word “Mudslide” might make you think of milkshake-style boozy cocktails at chain restaurants. But the classic Mudslide drink couldn’t be more sophisticated or delicious!
As a cocktail expert, I’ve tried hundreds of cocktail recipes and this is one of my favorite sweet alcoholic drinks. You can make a Mudslide recipe two ways: the classic drink is shaken with coffee liqueur and Irish cream, served up in a cocktail glass. It tastes creamy and irresistibly chocolaty! Or you can make it frozen, blended up with vanilla ice cream. Here’s how to make a Mudslide: two ways!
Mudslide ingredients
The Mudslide cocktail is a dessert cocktail made with Kahlua and Irish cream that’s a variation on the White Russian. It was invented in the 1970’s on Grand Cayman Island at a bar called Wreck Bar. The story goes that a customer ordered a White Russian, but the bar didn’t have heavy cream. They did happen to be stocked with Irish cream, so they used that instead and the Mudslide was born!
This drink later evolved to be blended with ice cream and became popular at chain restaurants, where it’s more like a boozy milkshake. This style of the cocktail is referred to as a “frozen Mudslide.” The Mudslide ingredients are:
- Vodka
- Coffee liqueur
- Irish cream
- Heavy cream (classic) or vanilla ice cream and ice (frozen)
How to make a Mudslide: two ways
As an expert in cocktail recipes, I’m partial to the classic Mudslide! But if you want to make a frozen Mudslide (aka a boozy milkshake), it does have a certain charm. Here’s what you’ll need to do for each variation:
- Classic Mudslide (my favorite): Place vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Shake until cold, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
- Frozen Mudslide (indulgent version): Place vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, vanilla ice cream, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a glass. If you’d like, decorate the inside of your glass with chocolate syrup.
Understanding coffee liqueur (Kahlua)
You can use any type of coffee liqueur for a Mudslide. The most popular is Kahlua, a coffee liqueur made in Mexico. It’s made with rum, sugar, and coffee (and no dairy, despite its appearance!). It contains caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee.
Kahlua costs about $15 to $20 for a large 750 ml bottle, so it’s an affordable addition to your home bar. Beyond mudslides, you can use it to make other Kahlua drinks like a White Russian, Black Russian, B-52, Mind Eraser, Colorado Bulldog or the popular Espresso Martini.
If you can’t find Kahlua, Tia Maria or Sheridan’s are good alternatives with similar flavor profiles.
All about Irish cream
The other required ingredient in a Mudslide is Irish cream, a liqueur made with Irish whiskey and cream, and Baileys Irish Cream is by far the most popular brand.
I stock a bottle year round and use it in Irish Cream cocktails like the Chocolate Martini, Coffee Martini, or a Baileys White Russian.
And that’s it: how to make a Mudslide! Let us know if you make the classic or frozen version in the comments below.
Storage and make-ahead tips
While mudslides are best enjoyed fresh, you can prep certain elements ahead:
- Classic version: Mix the vodka, Kahlua, and Irish cream together and store refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Add the heavy cream and shake before serving. You can shake up to 2 drinks at a time (pour in 10 oz of the liquid, shake, then strain divided between 2 glasses).
- Frozen version: You can pre-measure all the liquid ingredients and keep them chilled, then blend with ice cream when ready to serve. This also works well as a batched drink.
Frequently asked questions
Any good quality vodka will work. You can use plain vodka or a flavored one like vanilla for an extra twist.
While coffee liqueur is a key ingredient in a traditional mudslide, you can substitute it with chocolate liqueur or even a shot of espresso for a similar flavor profile.
There are lots of variations! Try a stemmed cocktail glass, an Old Fashioned glass, or a rocks glass.
Mudslide Recipe
Here’s how to make a mudslide: the real way! This mudslide recipe makes the classic drink starring vodka, Kahlua, and Irish cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 ounce* vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur (like Kahlua)
- 1 ½ ounces Irish cream (like Baileys)
- 1 ½ ounces heavy cream (or 2 scoops vanilla ice cream and ½ cup ice*)
- For the garnish: Shaved chocolate (optional), chocolate sauce for the rim (optional)
Instructions
- Classic Mudslide: If desired, spread the chocolate sauce on a plate and carefully dip in the cocktail glass rim. Place the vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Add 2 handfuls of ice and shake until cold. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate if desired.
- Frozen Mudslide: Place the vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, vanilla ice cream and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a tall glass.
Notes
*1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
More vodka cocktails
There are so many more tasty vodka cocktails to try! Here are a few more ideas for using up a bottle of vodka…as if you needed any!
- Go for classics like the Vodka Gimlet, Moscow Mule, or Cosmo
- Opt for a refreshing Vodka Tonic, Vodka Cranberry, or Vodka Spritzer
- Make a fancy brunch with a Classic Bloody Mary
- Try martinis like the Lemon Drop Martini, Pomegranate Martini, Cranberry Martini, or French Martini
I use coffee ice creame.
I make both classic and frozen. Although, when someone orders a mudslide they usually mean the frozen kind. I ask, ” you mean the frozen mudslide, right? They answer, “Yup!”
Though sometimes I get to make the classic! It’s fun to be behind the bar!
I made my first one, the recipe it used was espresso, Kahlua, milk, and Smirnoff vodka, then I put it into the freezer to chill.
Have. Mercy. This would corrupt a missionary. FAB!
Can you use Rumchata in a mudslide in place of any or all other alcohol?
You could definitely swap it for the Bailey’s!
I’d replace the vodka with the Rumchata. Vodka and I do not get along well. I would also do the ice cream version and make it with chocolate ice cream and maybe sneak in some chocolate liquor, maybe just a splash. Irish cream has flavor components that’re hard to replace.
I think the chocolate liquor sounds like a great alternative or addition to this. I will definitely have to try that some time.
I’ve had a mudslide on the beach at Rum Point in Grand Cayman which claims originality and superiority.
Pretty good but I will try your recipe and look forward to it!
Let us know what you think!
Actually with icecream they are referred as a New England Mudslide. In New England we eat more icecream than any other part of the US.