Mudslide is a delicious dessert cocktail made with a combination of Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, and vodka. Learn how to make this tasty cocktail two ways, frozen and on the rocks. Frozen Mudslide is a decadent adult milkshake that’s perfect for hot summer weather. Make Mudslide on the rocks for an easy sipping cocktail after dinner.
MUDSLIDES
I spent my high school and college days working at restaurants. Servings is a great job for college and high school kids because the hours are flexible and you always have cash.
Before I was 21, I watched our bartenders making different cocktails in fascination, I couldn’t wait to be able to be a bartender. Finally, the day came when I could move up to the bar and be trained by some of our best bartenders, who passed a few incredible tips and tricks to me.
I’m sure they only taught me their secrets so that I could take take of their regulars as well as they do but either way, I remember and apply all their cocktail wisdom to this day.
Besides all the classics, I really wanted to learn to make those gorgeous, over-top cocktails that always make people drool. Those big beautiful milkshake-looking cocktails were at the top on my list. I still remember people’s faces when they are served a Frozen Mudslide.
Tall, chocolate drizzled glass filled with a decadent combination of Bailey’s, Kahlua, vodka, and vanilla ice blended together to a smooth milkshake. To put it over the edge, add a nice servings of whipped cream on top and more chocolate drizzle. The best part is that this fabulous dessert is for adults only. Who says adults can’t have a fun milkshake?!
WHAT LIQUORS TO USE IN A MUDSLIDE
Bailey’s Irish Cream – is a creamy liqueur that combines Irish Whiskey, cream, chocolate, and sugar. This sweet and smooth liqueur is great over ice or mixed into other cocktails. Remember to store opened bottle in the refrigerator and it can lasts up to a year.
Kahlua – is a deep brown, rich coffee liqueur. This coffee liqueur is very popular in many classic cocktail but it’s also tasty straight over ice. Store open bottles in a cool, dark place.
Vodka – for this cocktail, I like to use espresso vodka to enhance the coffee flavor of Kahlua. You can also use classic vodka without flavors if espresso vodka is not available. Store vodka in the freezer or in a cool, dark place.
Remember that your cocktail will be as good as the ingredients you put into it!
HOW TO MAKE FROZEN MUDSLIDE
You will need a strong blender that can easily blend ice. (There is nothing worse than ice chunks in a milkshake.)
Combine Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, vodka, ice, and ice cream in the blender.
Pulse until it’s smooth.
To drizzle the inside of the class, hold it in your non-dominant hand and hold a bottle of chocolate syrup in the other. Tilt the glass at about 45° angle and start pouring chocolate on the side of the glass. Turn the glass as you pour the syrup in a swirl all around the glass.
Pour the Mudslide mixture into the prepared glass.
Garnish with whipped cream and some more chocolate syrup on top.
HOW TO MAKE MUDSLIDE ON THE ROCKS
To make this Mudslide on the rocks, all you need is a cocktail shaker and highball glasses.
Add a few ice cubes to the glass.
Combine Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, vodka, milk, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously a few times.
Pour Mudslide mixture into the glass, through the strainer on the shaker.
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE MUDSLIDE
I have some pleasant news for all of my gluten free friends, Baileys’ now makes a gluten free and lactose free Irish Cream. That is great news for anyone who wants to try this cocktail but has to stay gluten free.
Kahlua is another factor that could effect a person with gluten allergy or Celiac disease. Officially, Kahlua has not released exact ingredients in their coffee liqueur but they do state that it should be safe to drink for people who stay gluten free. People with gluten free diets report mixed result though. Some people with Celiac are completely unaffected and others have had reactions.
If you have not had a reaction to Kahlua, you should be just fine. If you have had a reaction, there are coffee liqueurs that are specifically labeled gluten free. Substitute one of those liqueurs instead of Kahlua.
For vodka, Three Olives state that their vodka is gluten free, including their flavored vodkas like the espresso vodka. If you wish, you can substitute Tito’s or another gluten free vodka that is not made from grain.
CAN MUDSLIDE BE LACTOSE FREE?
Yes! You can make this creamy cocktail lactose free.
For Frozen Mudslide: use Bailey’s Almande, which is gluten free and lactose free. Use lactose free vanilla ice cream. I like Breyers brand of lactose free ice cream, can’t even taste the difference.
For Mudslide on the rocks: use Bailey’s Almande and lactose free milk. I recommend Fairlife lactose free milk because it does not have any additional sweetness to it.
SOME MORE COCKTAILS TO TRY:
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Frozen Mudslide
Ingredients
- 16 oz vanilla ice cream (about 4 scoops or 2 cups)
- 1 cup ice
- 2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
- 2 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur
- 2 oz espresso vodka
- 2 tbsp Chocolate syrup
- 1/4 cup Whipped cream
Instructions
- Combine Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, vodka, ice, and ice cream in the blender.
- Pulse until it’s smooth.
- To drizzle the inside of the class, hold it in one hand and hold a bottle of chocolate syrup in the other. Tilt the glass at about 45° angle and start pouring chocolate on the inside side of the glass. Turn the glass as you pour the syrup in a swirl all around the glass.
- Pour the Mudslide mixture into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with whipped cream and some more chocolate syrup on top.
Notes
Nutrition

Mudslide
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
- 1 1/2 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur
- 1 1/2 oz espresso vodka
- 1 1/2 oz milk
- ice
- 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
Instructions
- To make this Mudslide on the rocks, all you need is a cocktail shaker and highball glasses.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside of the glass and add a few ice cubes to the glass.
- Combine Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, vodka, milk, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously a few times.
- Pour Mudslide mixture into the glass, through the strainer on the shaker.
Stephanie says
I love that you included gluten and lactose free options. These are fantastic!
Diane Reagan says
I saw this being made in a bar , she put a handful of malted milk balls (candy) in the blender !
LyubaB says
That sounds good! I will give that a try next time!
Jodi says
If I dont have baileys what can I substitute instead for on the rocks?
Thanks
Don says
I’ve used Rumchata as a substitute for the baileys
Linda Barnes says
I love mudslide
LyubaB says
Right? It’s definitely a favorite for me too!
Ray L says
Fan tastic recipie. got espresso Bailey’s and whipped cream flavored vodka in stead and came out fan tastic!
LyubaB says
Yum! Sounds good! I am so glad you liked it, Ray!
Savannah Montgomery says
When I say you need to clutch your pearls and hold on to your wig after drinking this mudslide, it’s an understatement. This drink is the absolute truth!! Especially, if you use the ingredients as instructed. This drink is best served with a crabcake sandwich and salad or lobster roll and fries. Hat’s off to you!!!
LyubaB says
Well, thank you, Savannah! I am so glad you liked it! 🙂
framed game says
Looks delicious tonight I’ll definitely try it, hope it works.
The Wiki Inc says
Children’s results. for Baileys espresso and whipped cream flavored vodka instead turned out amazing