Frozen Mudslide

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

A summertime treat that keeps you cool with a potent mixture of vodka, coffee and Irish cream liqueurs.

Summer is over and the “spooky season” is upon us here in the United States. As I walk through my neighborhood, all manner of ghosts, interstellar aliens and Jack O’Lanterns adorn many of the houses I pass by. I start thinking about all that candy I shouldn’t be eating, which gets my sweet tooth working overtime.

And it gets me thinking more about those lovely and luscious summer months we just had. They seemed as though they would last forever, those long, hot and luxurious days by the pool. And the ice-cold cocktails that went with them… strong, relaxing, with the right amount of bite. Wherever any of us are in the world, feeling a little wistful for those hazy and lazy days in the warm sun as a chill creeps into the air is perfectly normal.

In fact, we’ll be taking a look at a popular hot weather recipe today, the Frozen Mudslide. A mixture of vodka, coffee and Irish cream liqueurs blended together with vanilla ice cream, this beverage doesn’t only have to be enjoyed at a beachside resort or while the sun beats down on you. You can make and drink this cocktail at any time of the year, there’s no rule that says it has to be imbibed between the months of May and August. But you definitely will be looking forward to that time rolling around again as you sip on this deliciously creamy and decadent dram.

According to legend, the Mudslide is said to have been created on Grand Cayman Island, sometime during the 1970s by a barkeep named Old Judd, at an establishment called the Wreck Bar at the Rum Point Club. A customer asked for a White Russian with Irish cream instead of the heavy, non-alcoholic variety. The concoction took off in popularity, with resorts near and far serving it for their vacationing patrons. Before long, the frozen version we’re making today came into existence.

Trick or Treaters may be knocking on your front door soon, but you’ll be back on your own private island in your head as you enjoy a few Frozen Mudslides, imagining those golden sunsets you can’t wait to see again.

What is the Best Vodka to Use in a Frozen Mudslide?

You can play around with a few flavored vodkas to give your Mudslide some subtle variations in taste, like if you used a raspberry one for example. If you want a slightly sweeter tipple you can try a vanilla or chocolate vodka. For myself, I’ve found that an unflavored spirit mixed with the coffee and Irish cream liqueur will always give me a well-balanced cocktail.

What glassware and garnish is used?

A hurricane glass will be large enough to carry your Mudslide, and stylish enough to turn some heads. Draw a few lines of chocolate sauce down the sides of your glass before pouring your mixture in. Pop a miniature cocktail umbrella on the top, along with some chocolate shavings, and everyone will want one too.

Can this be served other ways beside frozen?

Yes! Just omit the ice cream and shake the ingredients over ice instead of blending them together. Serve straight up or on the rocks.

Is this Mudslide the same as the premixed stuff I see at liquor stores?

No. While those beverages are ready to drink and designed to sit on shelves, they won’t contain ice cream. Instead, they’ll have vodka and an assortment of flavors like chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and caramel. They’re not bad when you’re in a pinch, but if you have the ingredients for a homemade Mudslide you will want to go that route. You can add the pre-made stuff to your ice cream, though its taste will be too synthetic.

Similar Cocktails to the Frozen Mudslide

Who doesn’t enjoy dessert? And who doesn’t enjoy dessert and a fine cocktail together? The Frozen Mudslide is one of those recipes that brings “the best of both worlds” together to make something strong, scrumptious and unforgettable. If that cocktail piqued your interest in discovering other such boozy delights, Twist & Toast has quite a few after-dinner sweets you can try your hand at.

• Dirty Monkey – Rum, coffee liqueur and the tropical flavors of bananas and coconuts bring this creamy cocktail to life.
• Chocolate Piña Colada – Melted chocolate gets blended with dark and white rums in this smooth sipper.
• Miami Vice – A potent combination of a Strawberry Daiquiri and a Piña Colada, layered together.
• Bushwacker – Crème de cacao and amaretto help make this one a poolside favorite.