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The Mudslide is what happens when somebody decides a White Russian is not committing hard enough. Same ingredients, same vibe, but blended with ice cream into something closer to a chocolate milkshake that is also approximately three drinks deep.

It was invented at the Wreck Bar at Rum Point on Grand Cayman in the 1970s, allegedly. Most cocktail history is allegedly. What is verifiable is that by 1985 it was on every TGI Fridays menu in North America and a generation of people decided dessert was a beverage.

It comes in two versions. The original is shaken with cream and strained over ice, like a long White Russian. The famous one is the frozen blender version, which is the one most people picture when you say Mudslide. Vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, ice cream, ice, blended into something thick and chocolate-streaked.

Calorie-wise it is a small lunch. Approximately 420 calories per drink, which is the cost of doing business when your cocktail contains both Baileys and ice cream. Worth every one.

Scotty Boxa

Mudslide Cocktail

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A frozen blender cocktail that drinks like a chocolate milkshake with three different liquors hidden inside. Vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, ice cream, blended.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • 1 oz Irish Cream (Baileys)
  • 1 cup Vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup Ice
  • Chocolate syrup for the glass and garnish
  • Whipped cream to top

Instructions
 

Prep the glass:
  1. Drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of a hurricane or pint glass in a swirl pattern. Set in the freezer for a couple of minutes if you want it to set.
Blend:
  1. Add vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, ice cream, and ice to a blender. Blend on high for 20 to 30 seconds until completely smooth.
Pour and top:
  1. Pour into the prepared glass.
  2. Top with whipped cream and a final drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 0.1mgSugar: 30g

Notes

The classic shaken Mudslide swaps the ice cream for heavy cream and ice, shaken hard and strained over fresh ice. That version is faster but less indulgent. The frozen blender version is the one most people picture.
For a slightly less aggressive cocktail, drop the vodka. The Mudslide started life in the 1970s without it, just Kahlua and Baileys with cream. The vodka version is the punchier modern build.
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 420

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Tips That Actually Matter

  • Use good vanilla ice cream. The cheap stuff has too much air and the drink ends up watery. A proper full-fat vanilla bean blends into a thicker, richer milkshake texture.
  • Drizzle chocolate inside the glass before pouring. The visual makes the drink. Without it the Mudslide looks beige and sad. With it, you get the marbled chocolate streaks running down the glass.
  • Eat the leftover blender ice with a spoon. Otherwise you have wasted three full ounces of liquor stuck to the blender walls. Health and safety violation, possibly.

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I’m Scotty Boxa. Australian author, professional bad decision maker, and the bloke responsible for the rest of this website.

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