30 Dessert Cocktails to Cap Off Your Meal

Chocolate Martini

This rich drink might be a Martini in name only, but thanks to a combination of chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and vodka, it’s decadence in a glass.

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Grasshopper

You might’ve seen this old-school mint-flavored recipe in the form of a milkshake. But the original combination of creme de menthe, white creme de cacao, and heavy cream is pretty perfect as it is. 

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White Russian

The Dude’s drink of choice might just become your’s, too. This comforting cocktail is easy to love, thanks to a simple mix of vodka, Kahlúa, and heavy cream. 

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Italian Cookie

Turn your holiday cookie platter into a drinkable dessert by combining spiced rum, heavy whipping cream, anise-flavored Herbsaint liqueur, creme de noyaux, lemon juice, and fig preserves. Don’t skip the sprinkles. 

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Irish Affogato

An Irish Coffee is a classic after-dinner drink, and this twist doubles as dessert. Just add a scoop of coffee ice cream (or whatever flavor you please) to a combination of Irish whiskey, Irish cream liqueur, and cold-brew coffee. 

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Mudslide

Modern Mudslides often go for a whirl in the blender, but you can easily create the original recipe at home by combining vodka, Irish cream and coffee liqueurs, and heavy cream. 

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Sgroppino

This palate-cleansing cocktail tops a scoop of lemon sorbet with vodka and prosecco. One sip (or spoonful) will transport you straight to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. 

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Golden Cadillac

This mid-century drink gets its hue from Galliano, an herbaceous Italian liqueur. Combine with white creme de cacao and heavy cream for a drink that’s both rich and complex. 

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Espresso Martini

This popular drink has kick-started plenty of evenings since it debuted in the 1980s, but it’s equally appropriate as a nightcap. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can substitute cold brew concentrate for espresso alongside vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. 

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Bushwacker

This rich tropical-inspired drink falls somewhere in between a Mudslide and a Piña Colada. Blend one up with dark rum, coffee liqueur, dark creme de cacao, whole milk, and cream of coconut. 

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Brandy Alexander

This indulgent mix of cognac, dark creme de cacao, and cream was a popular bar order in the 1970s. Legendary bartender Gary Regan’s recipe leans heavier on the cognac than the liqueur for a not-too-sweet take on the classic. 

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Peanut Butter Cup

Like its namesake candy, this cocktail is nutty, creamy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Just shake up a mixture of chocolate vodka, peanut rum, chocolate liqueur, and cream. 

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Spiced Chocolate

If you love spicy-sweet flavors, you’ll be hot on this mixture of reposado tequila, Patrón coffee liqueur, and dark chocolate liqueur. Top with whipped cream and red pepper flakes for an extra kick. 

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Lemon Drop

If you’ve only tried a Lemon Drop in the form of a shooter, try this cocktail that employs freshly-squeezed lemon juice alongside vodka, triple sec, and simple syrup. The results are irresistible. 

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Parisian Blonde

This classic combination of Jamaican rum, orange curaçao, and heavy cream first appeared in Harry Craddock’s seminal Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. In its modern incarnation, it’s often served with a fresh dusting of nutmeg. 

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Cocoa À Trois

For this elegant nightcap and Chocolate Martini riff, Las Vegas bartender Tony Abou-Gamin combines vodka, chocolate liqueur, simple syrup, and sweetened cocoa powder. An egg white gives the drink an extra-silky texture. 

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Snickertini

You’re not you when you’re hungry—or thirsty. Make this liquid version of the beloved candy by combining caramel vodka, amaretto, Irish cream and coffee liqueurs, and heavy cream.

Pink Squirrel

It might be less well-known than the Brandy Alexander or the Golden Cadillac, but this retro pink drink deserves a spot on your dessert table. First created in the 1940s in Milwaukee, the richly-flavored cocktail is chocolate-y and nutty, thanks to creme de noyaux, white creme de cacao, and heavy cream. 

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Rumplesnuggler

You can’t go wrong with boozy hot chocolate. Bartender Grace Rainwater adds Baileys and Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps for ultimate après-ski vibes. 

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Tootsie Roll

It might be named for a sugary candy, but this isn’t your typical dessert cocktail. Bar pro Aisha Sharpe combines rye whiskey, pedro ximénez sherry, and chocolate bitters to produce an elegant Manhattan twist. 

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Bourbon, Vanilla & Chocolate Milkshake

You can make a drink that’s essentially a boozy milkshake, like a Bushwacker or White Russian. Or you can make an actual boozy milkshake by spiking a mixture of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and milk with your bourbon of choice.

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The Dead Rabbit Coffee Cocktail

There’s no coffee in this Coffee Cocktail riff from New York City bartender Jack McGarry. But you’ll still perk up for the rich combination of Irish cream liqueur, Irish whiskey, port, a whole egg, simple syrup, and bitters.

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Strawberries & Cream

This pretty-in-pink drink tastes like white chocolate-covered strawberries. Mix one up with London dry gin, strawberry liqueur, white creme de cacao, and half-and-half. 

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Toblerone

Re-create the honey and almond flavors of the duty-free favorite with Irish cream liqueur, Frangelico, Kahlúa, heavy cream, and honey syrup. No jetsetting required. 

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Hot Apple Pie

Enjoy the flavors of a slice of apple pie, no baking required. This warming drink combines Calvados, mead, apple and lemon juices, and a cinnamon-infused honey—all heated in a saucepan. 

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Tom & Jerry

A rich egg batter forms the base of this holiday classic. Combine with boiling water, dark rum, cognac, and whole milk, and you might even forget about Eggnog. 

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Mint Chocolate Chip Shot

If an entire dessert cocktail is too rich, make this fun shooter that channels all the best parts of your favorite ice cream flavor. Pre-batch the mix of Baileys, creme de menthe, and Frangelico for up to eight guests. 

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Dirty Banana

When life gives you leftover bananas, put them to use in this decadent frozen drink. The beach bar favorite combines rum, banana and coffee liqueurs, half-and-half, and a whole banana in the blender. 

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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

No time in the oven is required for this fruity drink. Just combine vanilla vodka and pineapple juice, then add a dash of grenadine to the glass. 

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She’s No Gentleman

Re-create the flavors of raspberry and cream in the shaker with blended scotch, Chambord liqueur, and cream. Bar pro Julia Ebell adds a homemade Earl Grey tea syrup for extra complexity.

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