Nothing is quite as satisfying as that first bite of your very favorite dessert. It’s decadent, refreshing, sweet and absolutely heavenly. I think the same could also be said about the first sip of a fresh cocktail. But what if you could have both at the same time? Once I started to think about dessert-inspired cocktails, I couldn’t stop!
I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy my favorite dessert, which is s’mores. No one loves s’mores like I do, and I will make them over a campfire or in a microwave. I will eat and drink s’mores-flavored anything—even if it’s not on the menu, like my favorite discontinued Dairy Queen dessert.
I figured, why not find a good cocktail recipe that matches the flavors of my beloved s’mores? After all, I love nothing s’more than a good spinoff. Without further ado, here are my best ideas for dessert-inspired cocktails. From s’mores to carrot cake and everything in between, I’m sure you’ll find some fun new ideas to try.
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Chocolaty S'mores Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home
1. S’mores
The best thing about s’mores is that they’re comprised of three of the best dessert flavors: chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow. This gives you a ton of room to play around with flavor pairings, and I think the best way to show that off is with a chocolate espresso martini. Swap in marshmallow-flavored vodka and dust the rim with graham cracker crumbs—it’s a campfire in a coupe.
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Apple Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home
2. Apple Pie
There’s nothing quite as delicious as a fresh, hot slice of apple pie. Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it’s heaven on a plate. For some heaven in a glass, try sparkling apple pie on the rocks. This refreshing cocktail can be made with either apple cider or juice, and the champagne can be replaced with sparkling apple juice to make it a family-friendly option for any occasion.
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Favorite Banana Cream Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home
3. Banana Cream Pie
Banana desserts can be pretty divisive. Some hate them, while others (like Prince William) absolutely love them. Regardless of where you stand on banana cream pie, chances are you’ll love banana rum punch. It’s got all the classic tropical flavors that you love from a punch, plus an extra dose of banana. If it’s too hot to enjoy the beach, then stay inside and keep cool with this drink.
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Strawberry Milkshake Recipe photo by Laura Scherb for Taste of Home
4. Strawberry Shake
I understand the appeal of a strawberry shake: Sometimes you want a fruity dessert, and sometimes you want ice cream. A shake gives you both flavors and, as an added bonus, it’s portable. If anything strawberry is your jam (ha) then you can’t go wrong with a pink pina colada. In this recipe, fresh or frozen strawberries are added to classic pina colada mix, giving it a pink hue and a burst of berry flavor.
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Carrot Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
5. Carrot Cake
I know what you’re thinking: There is no way you can make carrot cake into a drink. Have faith in me! The best thing about carrot cake is its unique spice flavor. Well, it’s that and the cream cheese frosting. If you like the warm flavors of a slice of carrot cake, then a spiced rum chai latte will be exactly what the doctor ordered (and I’m your doctor).
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6. Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Peanut butter can be made sweet or savory, and adds depth to any recipe. A classic no-bake peanut butter cheesecake is delicious with pretty minimal effort. Keep the easy peanut butter vibes going with a twist on a classic cocktail: the old fashioned. Use peanut butter whiskey and you’re in for a very smooth and sippable drink.
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Lemon Chiffon Cake Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home
7. Lemon Chiffon Cake
The delicate crumb and tangy citrus of a lemon chiffon cake is really a beautiful thing to experience. There are so many cocktails that could bring a little more lemon lovin’ into your life, but I think my favorite is the French 75. This bright and refreshing gin cocktail is made with elderflower liquor, lemon juice and sparkling wine. If you really want to elevate it, you can add some raspberries as a garnish—which works for both the French 75 and the cake.
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Taste of Home
8. Ice Cream Sundae
Nothing could be more classic than an iconic ice cream sundae. It’s totally customizable, but I think that it’s always best when it’s super simple: just vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and, of course, a cherry on top. I think the cocktail counterpart would also be something very simple, like milk punch. This creamy, bourbon-based cocktail is a New Orleans classic. Remember to garnish it with a cherry on top.
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Chocolate Guinness Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
9. Chocolate Cake
There are so many ways to make a chocolate cake, and I’m a big proponent of the Guinness chocolate cake. Adding the rich, dark stout to the cake gives it an unbelievable depth of flavor—but it does cook out all of the alcohol. If you want to add the booze back into your dessert, then I suggest making a Guinness ice cream float. It’s a playful adult version of a childhood classic, and it’s delicious.
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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home
10. Cookies
There are far too many cookies to name, but they’re all amazing desserts in their own right. If you like pizzelles, then you should try making a classic spritz with black licorice liquor. And if chocolate chip cookies are more your vibe, then you should try a sugar cookie martini—just add a crushed chocolate rim. For macaroon lovers, start with coconut rum and go from there. Happy mixing!
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