Originally Posted On July 5, 2023 and Last Updated On
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Our Creamy Avalanche Cocktail Recipe
My Avalanche Cocktail recipe is a super creamy drink that is smooth and is perfect for an after dinner drink when you need a hint of sweetness after a meal. This six ingredient cocktail typically features a combination of creamy liqueurs, such as crème de banane, crème de cacao (white), and amaretto, along with dairy ingredients like single cream or half-and-half.
But an important thing to mention here is I usually always say to use the very best alcohols and ingredients whenever making a drink. But this is one time when I digress. One of the absolute best banana liqueurs is Giffard Banane du Brésil liqueur and I noticed a website using it as an ingredient.
And while you can definitely use it, I wouldn’t waste such a special liqueur on this drink simply because the heaviness of the cream will dull the flavor of all the ingredients. So actually it would be beneficial to have a ‘sharper’ banana liqueur that can rise through the cream, you could almost say ‘harsher’ or ‘cheaper’ here.
Also one way to make it a little ‘lighter’ is to use crushed ice rather than cubes. I blend this drink without ice, then pour it in a glass filled to the top with crushed ice. I find it does make a difference as all the ingredients, plus the banana make for a really thick and heavy flavored drink that can easily cancel out itself.
And unlike most drinks, this one was documented as being created in Maude’s Bar, NYC, NY (now closed) in 1979. Always nice when you know the pedigree!
Avalanche Cocktail
A super rich and heavy cream drink recipe made with crème de banane liqueur, Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao, Disaronno amaretto, half a banana and single cream or half-and-half.
Ingredients
- 60 ml (2 oz) Crème de banane liqueur
- 30 ml (1 oz) Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao
- 15 ml (0.5 oz) Disaronno amaretto
- 30 ml (1 oz) Single cream or half-and-half
- Milk (whole milk/full 3-4%)
- Half an overripe banana
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients and have a blender ready.
- Add 60 ml (2 oz) of crème de banane liqueur, 30 ml (1 oz) of Dutch Cacao
white crème de cacao, 15 ml (0.5 oz) of Disaronno amaretto, and 30 ml
(1 oz) of single cream or half-and-half and half an overripe banana to the blender. - Blend for a full minute.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass filled with crushed ice.
- Top up the glass with milk (whole milk/full 3-4%) to your desired level of creaminess.
- Serve!
Notes
Use crushed ice and a cheaper banana liquer for this, it will make a difference. You can garnish with some chocolate shavings to make it look great.
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Ingredients
- 60 ml (2 oz) Crème de banane liqueur
- 30 ml (1 oz) Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao
- 15 ml (0.5 oz) Disaronno amaretto
- 30 ml (1 oz) Single cream or half-and-half
- Milk (whole milk/full 3-4%)
- Half an overripe banana
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Avalanche Cocktail
Step 1: Grab a bar blender and all your ingredients together in one place.
Step 2: Add 60 ml (2 oz) of crème de banane liqueur, 30 ml (1 oz) of Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao, 15 ml (0.5 oz) of Disaronno amaretto, and half an overripe banana to the blender.
Step 3: Blend everything at one time for a full minute.
Step 4: Pour or strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
Step 5: Top up the glass with milk (whole milk/full 3-4%) to your desired level of creaminess.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
Tasting Notes:
The Avalanche Cocktail is a super creamy and indulgent drink that really is delicious, but is best as an after dinner drink, or a one or two drink indulgence. Meaning I wouldn’t want to get drunk off of something so thick and heavy. If you’re a lover of cream drinks like a Mudslide or White Russian, you’ll love this!
The crème de banane liqueur adds a sweet and fruity taste, while the Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao brings a subtle chocolate flavor. The amaretto adds a nutty and aromatic note, and the cream provides a smooth and velvety texture. The addition of milk enhances the creaminess and balances the flavors, resulting in a rich and upscale cocktail.
Bar Tools
- Bar Blender: Used to blend the ingredients.
- Strainer: Used to strain the drink into a glass, but it’s really not necessary.
- Jigger or Shot Glass: Used to measure precise amounts of each ingredient.
Ingredients and Recommended Brands
- Crème de banane liqueur: Crème de banane liqueur is a sweet and fruity liqueur with a distinct banana flavor. Giffard Banane du Brésil is a recommended brand for this ingredient.
- Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao: Dutch Cacao white crème de cacao is a creamy and chocolate-flavored liqueur. It adds a subtle chocolate note to the Avalanche Cocktail. Dutch Cacao is a popular brand for this liqueur.
- Disaronno amaretto: Disaronno is a well-known brand of amaretto, which is an almond-flavored liqueur. It adds a nutty and aromatic taste to the cocktail.
- Single cream or half-and-half: Single cream or half-and-half provides a rich and creamy texture to the drink. Use high-quality dairy products for the best results.
- Milk: Whole milk or full 3-4% milk is added to adjust the creaminess of the cocktail. Use fresh and cold milk for the best taste.
Drink FAQ’s
- Drink Type: Cocktail
- Serving Size: 1 drink – 6 ounces of liquid plus ice
- Glass and Garnish: This is typically served in a chilled Collins glass, but any ‘pretty’ glass works well, just go shorter like a rocks glass before going taller. Some garnish options are adding a sprinkle of grated chocolate or a dusting of cocoa powder on top.
- ABV (Alcohol by Volume): About 15% ABV.
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Make this using crushed ice, not cube ice. It helps a lot. You can find my top picks for the best ice crusher for cocktails here.
- Adjust the creaminess of the cocktail by adding more or less milk according to what you like best.
- For a richer flavor, consider using whole milk or full-fat milk.
- Garnish the cocktail with a sprinkle of grated chocolate or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of class.
Similar Drinks with Similar Ingredients
Iron Butterfly: This has a few of the same ingredients and is also a creamy type of drink. The Iron Butterfly combines Vodka, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur and Baily’s Irish Cream to create a creamy drink very similar to this recipe.
White Russian: A classic cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua), and cream. It shares a similar creamy and indulgent profile with the Avalanche Cocktail.
Mudslide: Similar to this recipe and even more so the Iron Butterfly, it combines vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur (such as Bailey’s), and cream. It is similar to the Avalanche Cocktail but with the addition of (Bailey’s) Irish cream.
Irish White Russian: A variation of the White Russian that uses Irish whiskey and Bailey’s coffee liqueur instead of vodka and Kahlua. It has a creamy and heavy taste similar to the Avalanche Cocktail with a bit more kick.
Absolut Vanilia Avalanche: A cocktail made with Absolut Vanilia vodka, amaretto, milk, almond, and chocolate. It shares a similar thick & creamy tasting profile with the Avalanche Cocktail, with the addition of chocolate and almond flavors.
