20 Classic Ice Cream Cocktails

Do you like your cocktails frozen? Then feast your eyes on these ice cream cocktails!

Sometimes, on a warm summer day, I like to mix things up and trade in my ice cream cones for spiked ice cream drinks instead. 

But who am I kidding? Ice cream cocktails are great in the winter, too!

From sinfully chocolate to zesty lime, ice cream cocktails are the ultimate lush and decadent boozy beverage. 

Grab your ice cream scooper and let’s dive into this list of 20 indulgent ice cream cocktails. 

1. Grasshopper Cocktail

If you like mint and chip ice cream, this one’s for you! 

The name for this New Orleans creation comes from the cool mint green color that’s compliments of the creme de menthe. 

While the vintage cocktail recipe calls for heavy cream, this one uses vanilla ice cream.

For an eye-catching presentation, coat your cocktail glass in chocolate syrup and dollop some whipped cream on top of the drink.

2. Mudslide

Mudslides are the archetypal dessert cocktail. 

Heavy on the chocolate, this recipe uses both Kahlua and Baileys, giving it a deeply creamy body. It also packs a boozy punch with the help of vodka. 

Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles are optional, but I think they make this drink simply divine. 

3. Ice Cream Martini

If you love strawberry desserts as much as I do, you’ll go bonkers for this drink.

You’ll douse scoops of strawberry ice cream with strawberry liqueur, white chocolate liqueur, and vodka. 

If gin is your martini liquor of choice, ditch the vodka and pour in the gin. 

4. Spiked Lime Ice Cream Soda

I love to imbibe this tangy zippy cocktail when I’m trying to beat the heat. 

The combination of lime soda and limeade hits the spot, while Pinnacle citrus vodka is an additional perk. 

5. Frozen Brandy Alexander

This frozen Brandy Alexander is pure genius! I never would have thought to turn this classic into a lusty ice cream treat. 

This recipe uses vanilla ice cream and creme de cacao which you can make even richer with chocolate ice cream. 

6. Adult Root Beer Float

What adult doesn’t love a boozy root beer float! It’s creamy, sweet, and fizzy with a splash of vodka added in. 

This recipe is also versatile so you can swap out vodka with a liquor of your liking. I think bourbon, brandy, or even rum will be an excellent choice. 

Parties, birthdays, or afternoon treats, there’s always an excuse to whip up these floats.

What’s even better is you can easily make these a virgin if the little ones want one too.  

7. Manhattan Cocktail Ice Cream

Looking for a classic winter cocktail to turn into ice cream? Try my favorite, Manhattan ice cream. 

This recipe takes homemade ice cream and infuses it with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters to make it taste just the classic cocktail.

If you’re feeling lush, whip up a Manhattan and drop in a scoop of ice cream. 

I think this is the perfect treat for gatherings with friends and families. But it’s also nice when you feel like spoiling yourself, too.

8. Pink Squirrel

Whether you’re a pretty pink cocktail fan or not, this ice cream cocktail is hard to resist. 

It’s creamy and chocolatey like a frozen brandy Alexander, except it uses creme de noyaux.

This is an almond liqueur that gives this cocktail its vibrant pink color. 

Speaking of almond liqueurs, a dash of amaretto will also pair well.

You can even experiment with ice cream flavors and try strawberry or pistachio instead of vanilla.

9. Bushwacker Cocktail

This tropical chocolatey delight will tickle your tastebuds with happiness.

Part milkshake, part cocktail, this tempting drink is why you’re out of rum. 

Seriously, it’s very generous on the rum because it calls for coconut rum, light rum, and Bacardi 151. To balance out the booze, it has Kahlua, vanilla ice cream, and milk. 

It’s sinfully delicious, but it certainly packs a punch!

10. Boozy Orange Creamsicle Float

Need a fruity float to beat the heat? This juicy ice cream cocktail is the perfect solution. 

Keeping things simple, all you’ll need is some orange soda, whipped cream vodka, and vanilla ice cream.

Blend that all together, and it’ll taste just like an orange creamsicle!

If you’ve still got some work to do, you can easily take this down a notch and make it a mocktail.

11. Kahlua Coke Float

If you prefer Coke to root beer, make this float instead. The sweetness of Coke and the creamy coffee taste of Kahlua are an arresting match.

But it gets even better because this recipe also requires brewed coffee and coffee ice cream. 

This is a fabulous pick me up after a long day!

12. Snowdrift Ice Cream Cocktail

Not big on holiday eggnog? Try this festive wintery treat instead. 

This cocktail tastes like a snowy Christmas in a glass. It’s a sensational blend of RumChata, rum, and vanilla ice cream.

If you’re wondering about RumChata, this is a brilliant mix of rum and horchata. This special ingredient is what makes this cocktail so exceptional.

13. The Grinch Ice Cream Float

Now that I’m thinking about Christmas, I have the Grinch on my mind. Specifically, this grinch cocktail. 

Spiked or virgin, everyone in the family can enjoy this electrifying green cocktail.

It calls for lime sherbet, lemon-lime soda, and Hawaiian punch. Add a few drops of food coloring to make it more vibrant. 

Oh, and if you’re going with the adult version pour in a shot of vodka.  

14. Pumpkin Ice Cream Float

Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Halloween, or simply autumn, this pumpkin float will be your favorite cocktail of the season. 

This is super easy to make, which makes it that more dangerous.

All you’ll do is pour bourbon, chocolate bitters, and hard apple cider over pumpkin ice cream. 

You can blend this if you’re more in the mood for a milkshake and not a float. 

15. Spiked Mexican Chocolate Milkshake

Speaking of milkshakes, you’ll have to try my favorite Mexican chocolate shake!

It gives milkshakes another meaning as a rich adult treat. This sinfully decadent shake calls for Mexican mocha ice cream, tequila, and milk. 

You’ll also use some chocolate syrup and whipped cream to make it more extravagant.  

16. Adult Strawberry Ice Cream Party

Ice cream socials may sound like a blast from the past, but you’ll be very tempted to throw one in honor of this recipe. 

This whimsical treat combines strawberry ice cream with strawberry vodka and cake vodka. It’s heavy on the strawberry flavor and all about having fun. 

17. Pink Mudslide

Try this cocktail and you’ll agree mudslides look pretty in pink. It’s brimming with strawberries and cream!

It’s also got a triple threat of booze with Kahlua, Baileys, and vodka. 

With ingredients like this, the ice cream option is pretty versatile. Strawberry, coffee, chocolate, or even Neapolitan will pair wonderfully. 

18. Gin and Tonic Float

This float is proof that even an ice cream cocktail can be classy and refined.

This easy cocktail recipe is overflowing with the fresh taste of gin, tonic water, and lime. 

I recommend sticking with vanilla for this float. It’s the perfect creamy pairing that won’t distract from the floral and herbaceous nuances of gin.

19. Boozy Shamrock Shake

Get creative next St. Paddy’s Day and celebrate with this shamrock shake. It’s very minty, creamy, and green which is fitting for the holiday. 

It uses vanilla vodka as a base, but if you can’t find vanilla regular vodka will do. You’ll also need some green food coloring to make the color pop.

20. Butterscotch Milkshake Cocktail

Butterscotch schnapps may not get all the attention it deserves. But that’s about to change with this recipe.

This humble flavor is phenomenal when you pair it with Kahlua and vanilla ice cream.

Add a drizzle of butterscotch syrup and top with a cherry for the finishing touch.