While aperitivo cocktails are designed to stimulate the appetite before a meal, other cocktails are to be enjoyed as a dessert. Rich, indulgent and delicious, dessert cocktails can range from chocolate to coffee flavoured and are the ultimate treat.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you’ve no doubt tried a few luscious dessert cocktails, and here, we’ve rounded up 7 of our favourites to add to your repertoire to either serve at your next dinner party or treat yourself to after a long day.
1. Espresso Martini
A favourite amongst many - especially in the UK, the iconic Espresso Martini is a chilled, coffee-flavoured cocktail that’s typically made with vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso for a rich, robust and thoroughly flavourful cocktail. For those wanting something sweeter, there are also several different variants of the Espresso Martini, such as a Chocolate or Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, and some even choose to swap the vodka for rum for a more intense drink.
2. White Russian
Creamy and delicious, the White Russian is a classic dessert cocktail that’s been loved by many for over 60 years. Originating from the Black Russian cocktail when someone decided to include heavy cream for a more decadent drink, this cocktail combines vodka, coffee liqueur (traditionally Kahlúa) and cream and is often served with ice in a lowball glass.
3. Brown Gold
Our signature, whiskey-based Brown Gold cocktail was created by our Head Mixologist, Patrick Pistolesi, who was inspired after spending an evening on a Mediterranean beach and wanted to capture the moment forever in a cocktail. Warm, rich and comforting, the Brown Gold combines bourbon, vanilla liqueur, coffee liqueur, citrus and liquid sugar for a smooth, sweet, yet intense cocktail that’s a delight for all the senses.
4. Grasshopper
If you’re after something a little unique and eye-catching enough to post on your Instagram feed, the rich, creamy and vibrant green Grasshopper cocktail is ideal. This modern classic cocktail combines equal amounts of white crème de cacao, green crème de menthe and heavy cream, for a thick and sweet, mint-chocolate-flavoured cocktail.
5. Gimlet
With a classic mix of gin and lime, the Gimlet is an ultra-refreshing cocktail that has really stood the test of time. Created by Surgeon Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette of the Royal Navy in the 1800s, he added lime to his sailors’ daily gin to keep scurvy at bay on long ocean voyages. Classed as one of the world’s most popular classic cocktails, you can’t go wrong with serving a Gimlet after dinner for a cool, tangy and aromatic drink with a delightfully sharp kick.
6. Lemon Drop Martini
As one of the easiest cocktails to make, the Lemon Drop Martini always goes down well. Its refreshingly sweet and sour flavour makes it the perfect drink to enjoy after a heavy meal. Created in the 1970s, the Lemon Drop Martini has been hugely popular ever since and combines just three ingredients: vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup.
7. Mudslide
The mouth-watering Mudslide is one of the sweetest dessert cocktails around. This cocktail has two, very popular ways of being made, either the classic way or the frozen way. The classic Mudslide combines vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream and heavy cream which is then shaken and strained into a cocktail glass and garnished with shaved chocolate. The frozen version includes vanilla ice cream and ice alongside the original ingredients and is blended until smooth and poured into a glass decorated with chocolate syrup.
For the ultimate dessert cocktail indulgence, take a look at our limited-edition Adriatico Amaretto Cocktail Box, which features four wonderfully smooth cocktails ranging from full-bodied, cinnamon-spiced Italian crafted amaretto to delicate creamy vanilla and aromatic citrus notes. It’s amaretto like you’ve never tasted before.
If you’re looking for a little sweet treat, our range of premixed sweet cocktails will certainly hit the spot.