The Mudslide is a creamy, coffee-kissed classic from the 1970s that turns any evening into dessert. This version adds rum to the coffee liqueur and Irish cream for a richer, more layered sip, and it is a lovely cousin to the White Russian.
What Is a Mudslide?
A Mudslide is a shaken cocktail of coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and a spirit, served over ice. Legend has it that the first one was poured in the 1970s at the Wreck Bar at Rum Point Club on Grand Cayman, when a guest asked for a White Russian and the bartender swapped in Irish cream. The classic uses vodka, and this version uses rum for a little extra depth.
Can You Use Vodka Instead of Rum?
Absolutely! Vodka is the classic choice, and it lets the coffee and Irish cream shine on their own. Rum brings a touch of sweetness and a rounder flavor, which is why I love it here. Use whichever you have on hand and keep the same measurements.
If you are in a rum mood, you will find plenty more in my easy rum cocktails. The Blue Chair Bay rum cream cocktails are a treat too.
Which Coffee Liqueur Should You Use?
Kahlúa is the classic and the one most people reach for, but any coffee liqueur you enjoy will work beautifully. Tia Maria is a lovely alternative if you would like to try something different. With only three ingredients, each one really shows, so pour the brands you love best.
Glass and Garnish
Serve your Mudslide in a rocks glass over fresh ice. For an extra treat, top it with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
How Strong Is a Mudslide?
The coffee and cream flavors are so smooth that it is easy to forget there is rum in the glass, so I like to sip this one slowly. The rum sets the strength: 1 ounce keeps it softer, and 1 1/2 ounces gives it a little more backbone. The recipe card lists 310 calories per serving.
More Creamy Cocktails to Try
Why Lush Life Loves It
I treat the Mudslide more like a dessert than a cocktail, and that is exactly why I adore it. It is not something I have often, which makes it feel like a real treat when I do. The rum adds a warm, rounder note to the coffee and cream, and every sip does exactly what it is meant to do.
Here is the recipe
Mudslide
Ingredients
- 1 to 1 1/2 ounces rum
- 1 ounce Irish cream liqueur
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a shaker
- Add ice
- Shake, shake, shake
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.