34 Delicious and Decadent Chocolate Cocktails

Written by
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and author Colleen Graham shares her love of preparing stylish cocktails on The Spruce Eats. Join her on a journey to discovering great drinks.
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Colleen Graham
Updated 07/12/21

It's hard to resist the sweet taste of a delicious chocolate cocktail. From boozy milkshakes to sweet martinis, many drink recipes feature chocolate-flavored alcohol.

Crème de cacao is used most often because it was the original chocolate-flavored liquor in bars. Other chocolate liqueurs, such as Dorda, Godiva, Mozart, and Patrón XO Cafe, are good alternatives that will work in many recipes. You'll even find a few recipes for chocolate vodka. Fun to mix up, these cocktails are tempting and perfect for dessert or anytime you want to indulge in a decadent drink.

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    Chocolate Martini

    Chocolate Martini

    The Spruce

    There are many ways to make a tempting chocolate martini. This charming recipe is among the easiest because all you need is your favorite vodka and chocolate liqueur. For the liqueur, choose a creamy option like Godiva or go with the sweetness of crème de cacao. Either way, it's fantastic.

  • 02 of 34

    Chocolatini

    Frosted Chocolatini

     Sherri Lynn Herrmann / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Chocolatini is another name for a chocolate martini. This tempting recipe takes the creamy approach, mixing vanilla vodka and chocolate liqueur with Irish cream. It's quick and easy to mix up and a yummy cocktail.

  • 03 of 34

    White Chocolate Martini

    White Chocolatini Cocktail

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    A white chocolate liqueur is required for the white chocolate martini, and it's worth hunting down this somewhat elusive spirit. Paired with vanilla vodka and a good dose of cream, the cocktail is a joy to drink, and you'll come back to it time and again.

  • 04 of 34

    Brandy Alexander

    Brandy Alexander Cocktail

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Chocolate is not reserved for modern cocktails, and the brandy Alexander is one of the best-known among the classics. This creamy delight has long been a go-to after-dinner drink and you'll love the mix of brandy and dark crème de cacao.

    Crème de Cacao vs. Chocolate Liqueur

    Crème de cacao is a type of chocolate liqueur that averages 25 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 50 proof). Flavored with cacao beans, it's available in white (clear) and dark varieties that taste the same but affect a cocktail's color. Like all "crème" liqueurs, it is very sweet but not creamy. Other chocolate liqueurs are creamy, while some are not.

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    Twentieth Century Cocktail

    Classic Twentieth Century Cocktail Recipe

    David Loftus / StockFood Creative / Getty Images

    The Twentieth Century cocktail uses crème de cacao in the classiest way possible. It's a twist on the gin martini that uses Lillet Blanc rather than dry vermouth and contrasts the sweet chocolate taste with a touch of fresh lemon juice.

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    Angel's Tip

    Angel's Tip Cocktail With Dark Creme de Cacao

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios 

    Practice your bartending skills with this classic layered cocktail. The angel's tip requires a slow pour of the three ingredients in a certain order. Because crème de cacao contains so much sugar, it's an ideal foundation for the maraschino liqueur and half-and-half layers that float on top.

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    Golden Cadillac

    Golden Cadillac Cocktail

    Yulia Butyrina / E+ / Getty Images

    White crème de cacao is used in the golden Cadillac. The clear liqueur allows Galliano to give the 1950s drink its sun-kissed color. The blend of chocolate with the liqueur's herbs and spices is also pleasant and invigorating.

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    Bay Hill Hummer

    Bay Hill Hummer Cocktail

    xia yuan/Getty Images

    The Bay Hill hummer is a delicious ice cream cocktail. This is the other famous drink from the legendary Arnold Palmer, and a recipe featured at his Orlando golf club. The mix is simple and includes vodka, brandy, crème de cacao, and vanilla ice cream.

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  • 09 of 34

    Death by Chocolate

    Easy Death by Chocolate Milkshake

    Ivan Mateev/E+/Getty Images

    When your sweet tooth needs a real fix, nothing will satisfy it like the death by chocolate recipe. This cocktail is filled with chocolatey goodness, including chocolate ice cream and syrup and crème de cacao. There's also coffee liqueur and vodka, but those are almost afterthoughts in this indulgent boozy milkshake.

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    Twist and Shout

    Hard Rock Cafe's Twist and Shout Cocktail
    Hard Rock Cafe

    Spiced rum and Guinness form the backdrop for this tempting creation from the Hard Rock Cafe. The twist and shout is a fun blend that uses vanilla ice cream and crème de cacao, though it's the salted caramel syrup and bacon crumbles that make it memorable.

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    Peppermint Patty

    Peppermint Patty Cocktail

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Chocolate-mint cocktails are always a hit, and the peppermint patty is a wonderful way to enjoy that familiar taste. It's fun to explore all of the mixed drinks that have taken on the name. Retro versions use crème de cacao, while a modern recipe features chocolate vodka. Peppermint schnapps is the most common liqueur for the mint flavor, though crème de menthe works, too.

  • 12 of 34

    Mint ChocoChata Martini

    Mint ChocoChata Martini Cocktail Recipe
    RumChata

    A bit like the grasshopper cocktail, fans of RumChata will love this recipe. The mint chocochata martini mixes the popular cream liqueur with chocolate vodka and green crème de menthe.

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    Chocolate and Orange Martini

    Easy Chocolate and Orange Martini Vodka Cocktail Recipe

    Willie Nash / StockFood Creative / Getty Images

    Orange is a fantastic pairing for chocolate, and the chocolate and orange martini showcases the duo wonderfully. A mix of vodka, white crème de cacao, and orange liqueur, the recipe is incredibly easy. It's like a truffle in a glass and absolutely delicious.

    Fun Fact

    There's a classic drink called the "chocolate cocktail" and it contains no chocolate. Instead, it's an equal pour of maraschino, blackberry, and Yellow Chartreuse liqueurs shaken with an egg yolk.

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    Chocolate Margarita

    Colleen Graham's Chocolate Margarita Cocktail

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Even the margarita can use a chocolate spin, and this recipe is a guaranteed hit for any party. The chocolate margarita is a multi-dimensional drink. The citrus fruits add depth to the creamy tequila and chocolate cocktail, which also features a dash of chocolate bitters.

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    Mochatini

    Mochatini cocktail

    Rebecca Sapp / Getty Images

    Chocolate and coffee are another dynamic twosome in the drink world, and they come together spectacularly in the mochatini. Essentially, you're going to add coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa, Tia Maria, Patron Cafè, or Firelit) to the vanilla vodka and chocolate liqueur found in many chocolate martinis. It's a great change of pace and a wonderful sipper.

  • 16 of 34

    Dorda Cafe

    Dorda Cafe - Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur and Espresso Cocktail
    Dorda

    Dorda is a fascinating chocolate liqueur produced by a premier Polish chocolatier using a Chopin vodka base. It is luscious and rich and pairs perfectly with chilled espresso and amaretto in the Dorda cafe cocktail. It's like happy hour mixed with your afternoon coffee, and a little dessert is tossed in for good measure.

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    Dark 'n Fluffy

    Dark'n'Fluffy Cocktail

    Alexandra Grablewski / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    The dark 'n fluffy cocktail is a delicious excuse to buy marshmallow vodka. This twist on the chocolate martini pairs the sweetened vodka with a lush chocolate liqueur and cream. Don't forget the mini marshmallow garnish because it's half the fun.

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    Talking Monkey

    Van Gogh Vodka's Talking Monkey Cocktail

    Daniel Troutman Photography / E+ / Getty Images

    The talking monkey cocktail is just as fun as its name implies. It mixes a shot of chocolate vodka with banana liqueur, then tosses in espresso vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. Think of it as a banana split with a coffee kick.

    How to Store Chocolate Liqueurs

    There's no need to refrigerate chocolate liqueurs—even the creamy ones—because the alcohol acts as a preservative. Instead, store bottles with other liquors in your bar, preferably in a cool, dry place out of direct light. Once open, keep the cap sealed tight. Depending on its sugar and alcohol contents, the liqueur should last for a year or two.

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    Berried Treasure

    The Berried Treasure Cocktail
    New Amsterdam Spirits

    An ideal drink for summer parties, the berried treasure is an absolute delight. This recipe is a mix of berry vodka, lemonade, and white crème de cacao. It will tantalize your taste buds, and all your guests will love it.

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    Friar Tuck

    Friar Tuck No. 1 Cocktail Recipe

    jonathansloane / E+ / Getty Images

    An old-school cocktail, you're going to fall for the chocolate nuttiness of the Friar Tuck. This fun drink pairs dark crème de cacao with the hazelnut liqueur, Frangelico. Add some cream, shake it up, and enjoy!

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    Cocoa Old-fashioned

    Cocoa Old-Fashioned Recipe With Cocoa-Infused Rye Whiskey

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The cocoa old-fashioned recipe asks you to put chocolate in your whiskey. The cocoa nib infusion of rye whiskey takes about three days. After that, you're ready to mix up this fun spin on a favorite cocktail, complete with chocolate bitters.

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    Liquid Bourbon Ball

    Liquid Bourbon Ball Cocktail

    Steve Wisbauer / Stockbyte / Getty Images

    If bourbon is your whiskey of choice, the liquid bourbon ball is the dessert drink for you. It's not too sweet and allows your whiskey to shine against a chocolate and hazelnut background.

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    Pink Squirrel

    Pink Squirrel Cocktail Recipe

     The Spruce

    Straight out of the 1940s, the pink squirrel continues to delight drinkers. It's a low-proof cocktail that is thick, rich, and tasty. The pink color relies on the bright red, almond-flavored liqueur known as crème de noyaux. Be sure to use white crème de cacao as the dark liqueur will throw off the cocktail's signature look.

  • 24 of 34

    Banana Split Martini

    Banana Split Martini
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Nearly infinite possibilities await when you want to mix up a banana split martini. Just like the ice cream sundae, this sweet cocktail can be made with a variety of ingredients and adorned with as many toppings as you like. One of the easiest versions mixes vodka, crème de banane, and crème de cacao.

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    Chocolate Raspberry Martini

    Berry White Martini

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Within this beautiful blue martini is a hint of chocolate from white crème de cacao. UV Blue Vodka puts the raspberry in the chocolate raspberry martini and gives the cocktail its eye-catching color, while triple sec and lime juice round out the bouquet of fruity flavors.

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    Boozy S'mores Milkshake

    Boozy S'Mores Milkshake With Rumchata and Marshmallow Vodka
    TheCrimsonMonkey / Getty Images

    The boozy s'mores milkshake captures the taste of a campfire staple. It's a marshmallow vodka drink that piles on the delicious flavors of chocolate liqueur, Drambuie, RumChata, and ice cream. The graham cracker and chocolate syrup rim and toasted marshmallow garnish finish it off in s'mores-worthy style.

  • 27 of 34

    Dulce de Leche Cocktail

    Dulce de Leche Cocktail With Bacardi Rum

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios 

    Inspired by a scene from "Guys and Dolls," this dulce de leche cocktail is one of the few drinks to use sweetened condensed milk. The rum cocktail is flavored with your favorite chocolate liqueur, and the cinnamon and chocolate garnishes add a delicate finishing touch.

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    Frostbite

    Frostbite Cocktail With Tequila

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The captivating blue color of the frostbite cocktail comes from blue curaçao. Its orange flavor is nice against the tequila background and hint of chocolate. The drink uses cream, though you can lighten it up with milk or half-and-half. Sweetened nondairy milk (especially vanilla-flavored almond milk) is a great alternative, too.

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    Mounds Bar

    Mound Bar Spiked Hot Chocolate Cocktail

    Verdina Anna / Moment / Getty Images

    When you're in the mood for a warm cup of cocoa, mix up the mounds bar. The recipe imitates the popular candy bar by spiking hot chocolate with coconut rum. Simple and delicious, it's perfect for cold winter nights.

    14 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Hot Chocolate
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    Snickertini

    Snickertini Cocktail

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    No candy bar is off-limits in the cocktail world, and the snickertini is definitely a fun drink. Made with caramel vodka, amaretto, Irish cream, and chocolate liqueur and served in a caramel and chocolate syrup-lined glass, it's a sweet treat.

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    Chocolate Almond Cocktail

    Chocolate Almond Cocktail
    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    While most ice cream cocktails require a blender, this chocolate almond cocktail takes the shaken approach. The drink is made with vodka, chocolate and almond liqueurs, chocolate ice cream, and milk. To complete the experience, the glass is rimmed with melted chocolate and chopped almonds.

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    Chocolate Tahini Martini

    Chocolate Tahini Martini
    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    Tahini is used in a variety of foods, and it's an interesting drink ingredient, too. In the chocolate tahini martini, the sesame seed paste is transformed into a spiced simple syrup. Easy to make, once that's ready, it's mixed with vodka and chocolate and coffee liqueurs to create this intriguing cocktail.

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    White Christmas Cocktail

    White Christmas cocktail recipe

    The Spruce / Teena Agnel

    Perfect for the holiday season, the white Christmas cocktail is a fun recipe. The drink adds a shot of Southern Comfort and white chocolate liqueur to the comforting taste of eggnog. While you can make it from scratch, this cocktail works just as well with store-bought eggnog.

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    Spiked Christmas Coffee

    Spiked Christmas Coffee

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    The spiked Christmas coffee recipe is a festive way to enjoy your coffee. The brew is enhanced with chocolate and Irish cream liqueurs, while green crème de menthe adds color and flavor to the freshly whipped cream.