The Tipsy Snowman: RumChata Cocktail
As a longtime recipe developer (and former bartender!), I love mixing cocktails that feel indulgent but stay simple. This RumChata cocktail checks all the boxes: it’s balanced, creamy, holiday-ready, and comes together in just a couple quick steps. No fancy bartending tricks, just shake, pour, and enjoy your new favorite winter drink.
Why Lyuba’s RumChata Cocktail Is So Special
Creamy & festive – RumChata adds cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of sweetness.
Holiday crowd-pleaser – Perfect for cookie exchanges, parties, or sipping by the tree.
Easy to make – A quick shake in a cocktail shaker and you’re done.
Beginner-friendly – No special techniques, just good flavor in a cold glass.
Fun name – The Tipsy Snowman never fails to get a laugh.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Feel free to make a couple substitutions based on preference of dietary needs:
- RumChata – it’s the creamy cinnamon liqueur. You don’t have to use the brand, there are store and other brands that taste similar.
- Vodka – don’t use flavored one, just the classic vodka.
- Coffee liqueur – like Kahlua or another non-creamy coffee liqueur.
- Milk – I like to use milk to it’s a little lighter but you can use half and half. For even creamier results, try heavy whipping cream. For dairy-free, use almond milk or oat milk. (Just note, oat milk has some sweetness to it.)
What is RumChata and What Does it Taste Like?
RumChata is a cream liqueur made from Caribbean rum, real dairy cream, and a warm blend of cinnamon and vanilla. Think horchata flavors and texture, but boozy. Its smooth, sweet-spiced profile makes it a great base for cocktails and it’s great in holiday treats like my RumChata rum balls.
How Should I Serve RumChata Cocktails?
RumChata drinks are best either chilled, shaken, or poured over ice. The straight liqueur works well just poured over rocks, but in cocktails, it’s better to use a shaker so the liqueur mixes smoothly with other ingredients.
Do I Need to Refrigerate RumChata After Opening?
Technically, RumChata is shelf-stable (alcohol acts as a preservative), but I personally recommend chilling (as well as I do myself). For best results, especially if you’re mixing creamy cocktails or sipping it straight, store in the refrigerator for the smoothest flavor, so it’s cold when served.
Mixing RumChata Cocktail For a Holiday Party
You can easily make this cocktail ahead of time! Mix as many batches as you’d like in a glass storage jar with a lid but don’t add ice. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 days. When ready to serve, simply give it a shake and serve over ice.
More Creamy Holiday Cocktails
If creamy, festive cocktails make your holiday season happier, try some of my other delicious drink ideas. My Chai cocktail is so great for holidays or any other day really. More dessert like creamy cocktail to try are the Grasshopper Cocktail, Mudslide and Coquito. Classic ones to try are White Russian and homemade Irish cream.
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Rumchata Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz RumChata
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz Kahlua
- 2 oz whole milk or reduced fat milk, almond milk, or oat milk
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the cocktail shaker with some ice.
- Close and shake for a few seconds.
- You can strain it into the glass with fresh ice or use the "dirty ice" in the cocktail shaker.
- To garnish: you can use cinnamon sticks, a dash of ground cinnamon, marshmallows, a cookie, or make a cookie crumb rim.
Notes
Nutrition
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All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
