Ice cream and summer days are a match made in heaven. While the emperors of China's Tang Dynasty were supposedly the first people to enjoy this frozen, milky concoction, it's safe to say that we've put plenty of new spins on it in the centuries that followed.
Now, you can even create your own boozy ice cream drinks, made with your favorite liquors! If you love frozen cocktails, you're sure to enjoy these frothy delights. Today, we're sharing 12 of our favorite recipes to cool you down and bring the party vibes up!
1. Grasshopper Cocktail
When it comes to mint chip ice cream, there are two different types of people: those who prefer the white variety, and those who are partial to the green kind. While both tubs usually contain the same mint extract, there's just something about that extra dash of green food coloring that makes it taste just a little better.
If you agree, then it's time to make a Grasshopper Cocktail. Yes, we're talking about the same Grasshopper drink that's been a party mainstay since the late 19th century. Only this time, you're going to swap the heavy cream for vanilla ice cream instead!
Here are the ingredients to gather:
- 1 shot of green creme de menthe
- 1 shot of white creme de cacao
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish (optional)
Add everything to a blender, and mix it until it's thick and creamy. Then, pour it into a glass, garnish, and enjoy! If you're looking for a great creme de menthe, we recommend Dekuyper Creme de Menthe Dark.
2. Frozen Mudslide
You didn't think we'd make a list of ice cream based cocktails and not include a frozen mudslide, did you? While this drink is a favorite on dessert menus around the country, it's also a cinch to make at home!
This is a rich and indulgent drink that's guaranteed to make you the hit of any gathering. To get started, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup ice
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liquor
- 1 ounce of Irish cream
- 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Chocolate shavings and whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Combine everything but the garnish in a blender and blend until smooth. Before serving, drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of each glass. Then, pour in the contents and add your garnish.
Of course, if you're going to add coffee liquor, we suggest starting with the classic Kahlua Original Liqueur. For the Irish cream, you can't go wrong with Bailey's or Carolans, which are both available in our online shop!
3. Banana Split Vodka Milkshake
Have four words ever sounded better together? If you're ready to make cocktails with ice cream, you might as well start with everyone's favorite frozen treat: a banana split!
Like the timeless drive-in dessert, this milkshake is delicious enough to share, but you'll be tempted to keep it all to yourself. There are a few more ingredients to this one, but it's still easy to create. Here's the full list:
- 1 ounce of strawberry vodka
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 ounce of pineapple juice
- Whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and cherries for garnish (optional)
Add all of the ingredients except for the garnish into a blender, and blend until smooth. Then, serve and enjoy! If you need a new bottle of strawberry vodka, Frankly Organic Strawberry Vodka is a delicious, clean pick.
4. Spiked Ice Cream Soda
When it's sweltering outside, an ice cream soda is absolutely heavenly. Now, it's time to turn it up a notch and spike it! This recipe adds a hint of lime to the original, making it even zestier.
Start by assembling all of your ingredients, including:
- 2 ounces of citrus vodka
- 4 ounces of limeade
- 4 ounces of lemon-lime soda
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 3 wheels of thinly sliced lime for garnish (optional)
Instead of blending everything together at once, begin by mixing just the vodka, soda, and limeade together in a glass. Then, add two of the lime wheels followed by the ice cream. Stir the concoction to combine, add the extra lime wheel on top, and you're ready to go.
Want to make it even more refreshing? Swap one scoop of ice cream for a scoop of lime sherbert instead! Our St. George California Citrus Vodka would taste delicious in this cocktail!
5. Frozen Manhattan
When you mix whiskey with ingredients like ice cream, bitters, and sweet vermouth, the result is bound to be mouth-watering. That's why we love this Frozen Manhattan recipe!
One of the most sophisticated drinks you can order, a Manhattan is as strong as it is delicious. If you want to put a frozen spin om yours, here's what you'll need:
- .5 teaspoon of bitters
- 1.5 tablespoons of sweet vermouth
- 2 ounces of whiskey
- 2.5 tablespoons of grenadine
- 3 tablespoons of caramel sauce
- 2.5 cups of vanilla ice cream
- Cherries and orange zest for garnish (optional)
Combine everything except for the ice cream and garnish. Then, divide the cocktail into six glasses. Add one scoop of ice cream to each glass, followed by the garnish.
For the bitters, we'd stick to a tried-and-true favorite, like Angostura Bitters. We also carry the rest of these liquors and spirits in our shop, so go ahead and browse!
6. Boozy S'mores Milkshake
Does your idea of a great summer evening include sitting around the campfire with a cold glass in your hand and a great story to tell? If so, you know that s'mores have the power to turn any evening into a fun gathering!
If you love this dessert, you're sure to appreciate this Boozy S'mores Milkshake! This is the first drink on our list to use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, and it totally works. Here's the list of ingredients you need:
- 1 cup of dark chocolate fudge sauce
- 1.5 cups of chocolate ice cream
- 1 graham cracker square (plus extra crushed graham crackers to line the rim of the glass)
- 2 toasted marshmallows (plus extra for garnishing)
- 1.5 ounces of coffee liqueur
- 1/2 cup fudge sauce
- Whipped cream for garnish (optional)
To prepare your glass, start by dipping the rim into a small amount of honey. Then, dip it in the crushed-up graham crackers. Add everything else to a blender, and blend until creamy.
Want to get even more elaborate? Add another toasted marshmallow on top, followed by graham crackers and chocolate squares!
7. Spiked Orange Creamsicle Float
Some flavors just scream summer, like the sticky-sweet taste of an orange creamsicle. If you're in the mood for a hearty dose of nostalgia, this Spiked Orange Creamsicle Float will definitely hit the spot.
This boozy cocktail combines both ice cream and sherbet, making it extra creamy and delicious! This would be the perfect concoction to sip at a backyard cookout while burgers cook on the grill. Here's what you'll need to make it:
- 2 cups of vanilla ice cream
- 2 cups of orange sherbet
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- 2 ounces of whipped cream vodka
- Whipped cream and sprinkles for garnish (optional)
Start by blending the ice cream and sherbet in a blender until combined. Then, add the heavy cream and whipped cream vodka. Blend until everything's smooth and creamy, and pour into your glass! The whipped cream and sprinkles are optional, but what would an ice cream treat be without them?
Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka is the perfect addition to this drink, delivering just the right amount of creamy sweetness.
8. White Russian Float
White Russians are cocktail classics. They also happen to be refreshingly simple to make. In fact, this one uses only three ingredients! Combining the flavors you love with sweet ice cream, it's bound to become your next guilty pleasure.
Ready to make one (or a few)? If so, start by gathering these ingredients:
- 2 ounces of vodka
- 1 ounce of coffee liqueur
- One scoop of vanilla ice cream
This is a float, so you'll begin by adding the scoop of ice cream to your glass. In a shaker, combine the vodka and coffee liqueur with a few cubes of ice until they're thoroughly mixed. Strain into the glass, give everything a good stir, and enjoy!
9. Bourbon Affogato
This drink combines bourbon, ice cream, and espresso. Need we say more? It's a great after-dinner drink that's refreshing and smooth. With the espresso in there, keep in mind it may wake you up a bit.
The ingredients you'll need include:
- 1.5 ounces of warm espresso
- 1.5 ounces of bourbon
- 1/2 ounce of pecan liqueur
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Dash of chocolate bitters
- Chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)
First, put two scoops of vanilla ice cream into a chilled glass. Separately, combine the warm espresso, bourbon, chocolate bitters, and pecan liqueur until mixed. Pour the liquid over the ice cream, then top with the chocolate shavings if you want an extra garnish.
This drink is best enjoyed immediately, so go ahead and dig in! We recommend making this one with Redemption Straight Bourbon Whiskey for a great kick.
10. Gin and Tonic Float
When you order drinks at a bar, do you tend to gravitate toward something delightfully fresh and zesty, like a gin and tonic? If so, this next float is definitely for you! It has a great fizz to it, which also makes it super fun to drink.
Here's everything you'll need:
- 3 ounces of gin
- 4 ounces of tonic water
- Juice of 1/2 a lime
- 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Lime wedge for garnish (optional)
First, add the gin, tonic, and lime juice to a tall glass, but leave a little room at the top. Then, all that's left to do is add the ice cream! When you put in the scoop, listen and watch for the bubbles to form into a creamy foam.
If you're looking for a great new gin to try, we suggest Spring44 Colorado Gin. The floral and citrus notes will blend beautifully with the lime for an extra-fruity taste.
11. Death by Chocolate
Chocolate lovers everywhere, rejoice! While there are plenty of ice cream alcoholic drinks to choose from, this particular one is the richest and most chocolatey one of all. In fact, though most boozy cocktails use vanilla ice cream, this one embraces its dark side.
Feel free to swap the chocolate ice cream for your favorite chocolate-infused option, such as cookies and cream or rocky road. Either way, it's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. To make this milkshake, all you need are the following items:
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1 ounce of coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce of dark crème de cacao liqueur
- 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream
- 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
- 1 cup of crushed ice
- Whipped cream and maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, and dark crème de cacao liqueur into a blender. Before mixing, add the ice cream, chocolate syrup, and crushed ice right on top. Then, blend everything until it's smooth and pour into two tall glasses.
12. Butterscotch Milkshake
Craving the yummy, comforting taste of butterscotch? This milkshake is not only creamy and delicious, but it also gives you the opportunity to try one of the unsung heroes of the liqueur cabinet: butterscotch schnapps!
When you're ready to indulge, start by gathering these ingredients:
- 2 ounces of butterscotch schnapps (try 99 Butterscotch Schnapps Liqueur)
- 1 ounce of coffee liqueur
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Butterscotch ice cream topping
- Maraschino cherries for garnish (optional)
Add all of the items to a blender and blend until smooth. Before serving, drizzle a little butterscotch ice cream topping into your glass. Then, pour in the milkshake and start sipping!
Try These Ice Cream Drinks Today
Summer might be drawing to a close soon, but that doesn't mean you have to stop making these delicious, decadent ice cream drinks. They're great to savor all year round, no matter what the weather's like outside.
From the fruity and zesty to the rich and creamy, there's something on this list for everyone to enjoy. The next time you have friends or family over, surprise them with these boozy cocktails instead of the usual dessert fare!
In the meantime, we'll help you stock your cabinet with everything you need. Shop our full liquor selection today and we'll ship your favorites right to your door.