The recipe
for your table
Drizzle chocolate sauce in a spiral along the inside of the glass and chill it.
Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and Baileys to the shaker with plenty of ice.
Shake for 10 seconds - briefly, because cream curdles if you continue for too long.
Strain into the glass over fresh ice. For the frozen version: blend everything with one cup of crushed ice.
The story
The Mudslide is said to have originated in the 1970s at the Rum Point Club in the Cayman Islands - a beach bar where they wanted to create a local cream cocktail that could withstand the heat. When Baileys came onto the market in 1974, they found the ingredient that completed the recipe. The name refers to its color: mud brown, with a thick, flowing texture. In the 1990s, the cocktail made its definitive breakthrough in American chain restaurants, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream - the moment it definitively changed from cocktail to dessert. If you prefer to keep the cream pure, try the White Russian.
The right glass
A 44 cl Hurricane glass is the best choice for a Mudslide, especially for the frozen version: the wide bowl leaves room for the thick, blended mixture, while the curved shape lets you see the chocolate spiral along the inside of the glass. If you prefer the simple version over ice, a tumbler will also work - but then you miss exactly the theatrical quality that makes this cocktail so enjoyable. Colorless, clear glass is essential: the contrast between the light brown and the dark chocolate is the whole picture.
Royal Leerdam Hurricane Cocktail Glass on Stem 44 cl (6 pieces)
Arcoroc Hurricane Cocktail Glass 44 cl (6 pieces)
Together € 95,90.
The right tool
For a Mudslide, in addition to the glass, you use a shaker, a jigger for precise measuring and glass straws. These are the bar tools we use ourselves; you can find everything in our bar tools & cocktail sets.
Glass set (our choice 01) + 3 bar tools — together € 90,80.
Variations & twists
Blend two scoops of vanilla ice cream into it and you have the dessert version that made the cocktail famous. Replace the vodka with rum for a smoother taste, or add a shot of espresso for a result that leans towards an Espresso Martini. Leave out the vodka and you have a Baileys cocktail. Find more inspiration in all cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
Twist the chocolate spiral into a glass and then place it in the freezer for five minutes: the sauce will set against the side and stay in place instead of sliding down as soon as you pour. Shake briefly and cold — cream liqueur can curdle if shaken for too long. Never add citrus. For the frozen version: blend for a maximum of 15 seconds, otherwise the mixture will become warm and thin.
Frequently asked questions
Which glass do you use for a Mudslide?
A 44 cl hurricane glass, especially for the frozen version. View our hurricane glasses.
What is the difference from a White Russian?
The White Russian uses cream or milk, while the Mudslide uses Baileys. This makes the Mudslide sweeter, thicker and stronger.
Frozen or over ice?
Both are common. Over ice, it is a cocktail; blended with ice and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it is a dessert. Choose based on the occasion.
Can you make a Mudslide alcohol-free?
Yes: use alcohol-free Irish cream, cold strong coffee and a splash of vanilla syrup. Blend with ice and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the full experience.
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