Ingredients
- 1 Part(s) Irish Cream
- 1 Part(s) Cinnamon Schnapps
- 1 Part(s) Butterscotch Schnapps
Instructions
Mix the ingredients:
- Pour equal parts of Irish cream, cinnamon schnapps, and butterscotch schnapps into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake until chilled:
- Give it a good shake until the mixture is cold and smooth.
Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a shot glass and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This is a modern dessert cocktail, likely emerging from the trend of crafting sweet, comforting drinks that mimic popular foods. Its exact birthplace is tough to pin down, but it fits squarely into the late 20th or early 21st century bar scene, often found in establishments specializing in innovative or comfort-themed menus.
The French Toast belongs to the dessert cocktail family, a category that includes creamy, sweet, and often spirit-forward drinks like the Espresso Martini or the Mudslide. What sets it apart is its explicit nod to a breakfast classic, leaning heavily into maple and cinnamon notes rather than coffee or chocolate.
You'd typically find or serve a French Toast as an after-dinner treat, a decadent brunch accompaniment, or for those moments when you crave something sweet and warming. It's a sit-down drink, not something you'd slam at a dive bar.
What it tastes like
Expect a sweet, creamy, and warmly spiced profile. The spiced rum lays down a foundation of vanilla and baking spices, which are then softened and rounded out by the rich dairy and subtle whiskey notes from the Irish cream. Maple syrup provides that unmistakable breakfast sweetness, while a touch of cinnamon liqueur ties the entire "French Toast" experience together. It's comforting and dessert-like.
With about 1.5 oz of spiced rum and 1 oz of Irish cream, this drink lands in the moderate ABV range. A standard beer is around 5% ABV. This cocktail, once diluted by ice and mixed with lower proof liqueurs and syrups, would likely sit somewhere between 12-15% ABV, making it noticeably stronger than a beer but far from a straight spirit.
The technique
Build this drink by combining spiced rum, Irish cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake hard until well chilled, usually for about 15-20 seconds. Double strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass filled with fresh ice, depending on preference. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh grated nutmeg or a cinnamon stick.
The most important technique for this cocktail is a vigorous, thorough shake. You need to properly emulsify the cream and thoroughly chill all the ingredients to achieve that smooth, velvety texture and ensure optimal dilution. A weak shake leaves it thin and lukewarm.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Spiced Rum
- Use
- Kraken, Sailor Jerry, Bacardi Spiced. Look for rums with prominent vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg notes.
- Skip
- Unaged white rum or heavily aged sipping rums. They won't provide the right flavor profile.
- Why
- It provides the warm, comforting base that underpins the entire "breakfast" theme, complementing the maple and cinnamon without being too aggressive.
Maple Syrup
- Use
- Grade A Dark Robust Taste or Grade B. Real maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
- Skip
- Artificial maple-flavored syrups or thin, sugary pancake syrups.
- Why
- The genuine article delivers a complex, earthy sweetness crucial for the authentic French Toast flavor, far beyond what simple sugar can offer.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Bourbon Toast
- A richer, more robust breakfast treat.
- Swap spiced rum for a good quality bourbon to add deeper oak, vanilla, and caramel notes, giving the drink a more mature edge.
Coffee Toast
- Your morning coffee and French Toast, combined.
- Add 0.5 oz of coffee liqueur or a shot of cold brew concentrate for a delightful caffeinated twist on the original.
Nutty Toast
- A hint of almond or hazelnut.
- Introduce 0.25 oz of an almond liqueur like Amaretto or a hazelnut liqueur for an added layer of nutty complexity.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use Bourbon or a dark rum with a dash of vanilla extract and a pinch of cinnamon.
Use 0.75 oz heavy cream with 0.25 oz whiskey and a touch more maple syrup.
Use a rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water) with a few drops of maple extract, if available.
Use a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. Ensure it's clean and can be sealed well for vigorous shaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a French Toast?
A French Toast cocktail typically contains spiced rum, Irish cream liqueur, maple syrup, and a cinnamon liqueur or dash of cinnamon.
Is French Toast a breakfast drink?
While it tastes like breakfast, it is an alcoholic cocktail generally served as a dessert or a special brunch treat.
Is it sweet?
Yes, the French Toast is a decidedly sweet cocktail, designed to evoke the flavors of its namesake dessert.
What glass should I use?
A chilled coupe glass or a rocks glass with fresh ice are both suitable choices.
Can I make it dairy-free?
You can experiment with dairy-free cream liqueurs and oat or almond milk, though the texture and flavor will differ.
What kind of rum should I use?
Spiced rum is ideal, as its inherent vanilla and baking spice notes complement the other ingredients perfectly.
Is it strong?
It's moderately strong, similar to a glass of wine, but its sweetness can mask the alcohol content. Drink responsibly.
Can I make a batch for a party?
Yes, you can pre-batch the spirits and syrups, then add the cream and shake individually when serving.
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