Not sure what has gotten into me these days, but I am becoming really interested in craft cocktails. As of late, any upcoming event that I host spurs me to do research on delicious libations. Brunch club led to the blackberry champagne mules from Half Baked Harvest. Those, in turn, inspired me to churn out Black Thai Affairs.
Most recently, I threw my girlfriend, Lauren, a birthday party at a pottery painting place with her friends last weekend. True to form, this little soiree inspired me to bring along cute cocktails. It was a birthday party, after all, so birthday cake flavor seemed fitting.
People. These drinks wound up being a HUGE hit. They really did taste just like birthday cake and one was just enough to unleash our inner Picassos. Birthday cake cocktails are strong. (As they should be! Birthdays are equal parts celebration and coping with the fact that you are aging.)
When I made these drinks for the party, I did a double whammy: fun straws AND a sprinkle rim. The sprinkle rim was made by twirling the cup rims in melted chocolate and then sprinkles. It was very “extra,” as they say. Having made these a second time for photographing, I have to recommend the straw for functionality. The sugar from the sprinkles throws off the balance of the drink, so don’t include it in your sip. But gosh, it sure looks cute.
Birthday Cocktails: The gist
I seriously made these in under five minutes, and I was in the back room of some pottery painting place. It wasn’t even a proper kitchen. These come together in a jiff and are a real crowd pleaser. BUT. Make sure you get the exact ingredients. Only Absolute Vanilla vodka and only Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur. I mean it. No substitutions, ya hear? K, here’s the quick version:
- Decorate the rim with sprinkles. Melt chocolate in a bowl large enough to accommodate the rim of your glassware. Swirl the rim in the chocolate and then swirl in a plate or sprinkles.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine vanilla vodka, amaretto, white chocolate liqueur, half and half OR coconut cream, and ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Pour through strainer into glass. That’s it!
By the way, marshmallows make a really fun garnish. We just tossed them in the drink. This Smash Mallow brand is pretty good–we tried the chocolate coffee and the raspberry chocolate flavors. But you could always make your own marshmallows if you’re feeling ambitious. Bigger, Bolder, Baking has a recipe for birthday cake marshmallows that has been on my list to try for a while now. If you make them, let me know how you like them!
I assure you these birthday cake cocktails are now instituted for birthdays from now on. This recipe has quickly become a favorite, and now Jim jokingly asks if I’m trying to clean out the liquor cabinet with all of my concoctions. I mean…it is getting kind of crowded. I have to do something. 😉
Birthday Cake Cocktails
Ingredients
For the cocktails
- 10 oz Vanilla vodka Absolute
- 15 oz Coconut cream OR half and half
- 5 oz White chocolate liqueur Godiva
- 5 oz Amaretto
- 1 cup Ice
For the sprinkle rims
- 1½ cups Sprinkles
- ⅓ cup Chocolate chips any flavor
Instructions
Sprinkle rims
- Grab a microwavable bowl that the rim of your glasses will comfortably fit in. Melt chocolate chips in the bowl in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
- In a separate bowl, also able to accommodate the glass size, pour in sprinkles. If it's large enough, you can also use the container the sprinkles are packaged in.
- Turn your glasses upside down and place in the bowl of melted chocolate, twirling to get an even coat. Next, dip the glass in the bowl of sprinkles. Turn right-side up and allow to dry. Repeat with the remaining glasses.
Cocktails
- In a cocktail shaker combine vodka, cream, white chocolate liqueur, amaretto, and ice. Cover and shake for 30 seconds. Remove cap and strain into sprinkle-rimmed glasses. Serve with a fun straw or garnish with a marshmallow or both.