Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Rum
- .5 oz Hazelnut Liqueur
- .5 oz Irish Cream
- 5 oz Coffee
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- In a glass mug, combine 1.5 oz of rum, .5 oz of hazelnut liqueur, and .5 oz of Irish cream.
- Top the mixture with 5 oz of hot coffee, stirring gently to blend the flavors.
- Garnish with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for an extra touch of indulgence.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the warming, rich flavors.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Hot coffee cocktails have a long tradition, especially in colder climates or as after-dinner treats. While the Blizzard Cocktail doesn’t have a single documented origin story, it is a natural evolution of spiking your coffee with spirits. This practice is as old as coffee itself, offering warmth and comfort during colder months or as a nightcap.
This drink fits squarely into the hot coffee cocktail family, sitting alongside classics like Irish Coffee or a Mexican Coffee. What sets the Blizzard Cocktail apart is its specific combination of rum and two distinct liqueurs, offering a richer, nuttier, and creamier profile compared to the simpler whiskey and cream of an Irish Coffee. It is a more dessert-forward version of a spiked coffee.
You would typically find or serve a Blizzard Cocktail in settings that lean into comfort and warmth. Think ski lodge bars, cozy winter pubs, or as a fireside drink at home. It is a perfect offering after a hearty meal, or as a comforting nightcap when the weather outside is less than inviting. It is a drink designed for slow sipping and enjoying the moment.
What it tastes like
The Blizzard Cocktail presents a rich, layered flavor profile. On the front, you get the warm, slightly sweet notes of rum, quickly followed by the distinct, toasted nuttiness of hazelnut liqueur. The mid-palate introduces the creamy, vanilla-tinged sweetness of Irish cream, which then blends seamlessly with the robust, slightly bitter character of the hot coffee. The finish is a comforting warmth, with lingering notes of coffee and a subtle sweet creaminess.
Given the recipe, this drink clocks in at around 10.5% ABV. That makes it roughly twice the strength of a standard lager beer, but significantly less potent than a typical stirred cocktail like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. It is a medium strength drink, offering a pleasant warmth and buzz without being overwhelmingly alcoholic. You can enjoy a couple without feeling like you have been hit by a blizzard.
The technique
Building a Blizzard Cocktail is straightforward. Start by pre-warming your glass mug, which helps maintain the drink’s temperature. Add the rum, hazelnut liqueur, and Irish cream directly into the mug. Next, pour in the hot coffee. Give it a gentle stir to ensure all the spirits and coffee are thoroughly combined and the flavors meld. Finally, top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for that final touch of decadence.
The most important technique for this drink is ensuring your coffee is genuinely hot, not just warm. A lukewarm coffee will rapidly cool your spirits, resulting in a tepid, less satisfying drink. You want that immediate, enveloping warmth from the first sip. If your coffee is not hot enough, the overall experience will fall flat, and the flavors will not bloom as intended.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Rum
- Use
- An aged or dark rum works best here, providing a rich, warming base. Think something like a Mount Gay Eclipse, Appleton Estate Signature Blend, or even a spiced rum like Kraken or Sailor Jerry if you want extra flavor complexity.
- Skip
- Avoid light or white rums. Their crisp, clean profile gets lost against the coffee and liqueurs, and they lack the depth to stand up as the base spirit in this rich cocktail.
- Why
- Rum is the backbone of the Blizzard Cocktail, providing the primary alcoholic kick and a foundational sweetness and warmth. Its inherent vanilla and caramel notes complement the coffee and hazelnut, creating a harmonious and comforting flavor profile.
Coffee
- Use
- Freshly brewed, strong black coffee is ideal. A medium to dark roast will provide the necessary body and bitterness to balance the sweetness of the liqueurs and rum. Ensure it is piping hot.
- Skip
- Instant coffee can work in a pinch, but it often lacks the depth and richness needed. Also, avoid cold or lukewarm coffee; it will chill the drink too quickly and dilute the warming effect.
- Why
- Coffee is crucial for the Blizzard Cocktail’s body, warmth, and balancing bitterness. It provides the canvas for the other ingredients, cutting through their sweetness and adding a robust, aromatic counterpoint that defines the drink as a spiked coffee rather than just a hot dessert.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Chocolate Blizzard
- Add a layer of chocolate richness.
- Introduce .5 oz of dark chocolate liqueur, like Godiva, or a dash of chocolate syrup along with the other spirits for an even more decadent, mocha-like experience.
Peppermint Blizzard
- A festive, minty twist.
- Swap out the hazelnut liqueur for .5 oz of peppermint schnapps. This gives the drink a cool, refreshing minty kick that pairs surprisingly well with the coffee and cream.
Nutty Irishman Coffee
- A classic variation, rum-free.
- Remove the rum and increase the Irish cream to 1 oz. Add .5 oz of coffee liqueur like Kahlua or Tia Maria to reinforce the coffee base, then top with hot coffee.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Brandy or bourbon can serve as a decent substitute, offering a similar warming base, though the flavor profile will shift towards more oaky or fruity notes.
Amaretto (almond liqueur) is a good alternative, providing a similar nutty sweetness. Frangelico is a common hazelnut liqueur, but other brands will work.
If you are out of Irish cream, you can approximate it by combining .5 oz of Irish whiskey with .25 oz of heavy cream and a barspoon of simple syrup or vanilla extract.
Any heatproof mug or glass will do. A ceramic coffee mug is perfectly acceptable, just ensure it can handle the hot liquid without cracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Blizzard Cocktail?
A Blizzard Cocktail typically contains rum, hazelnut liqueur, Irish cream, and hot coffee, usually topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Is the Blizzard Cocktail served hot or cold?
The Blizzard Cocktail is traditionally served hot, making it a comforting and warming drink, especially suitable for cold weather.
What kind of rum should I use?
An aged or dark rum is recommended for its rich, warming notes that complement the other ingredients well. Spiced rum also works if you want to add more flavor complexity.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version by omitting the rum, hazelnut liqueur, and Irish cream, and instead using hazelnut syrup, a non-alcoholic coffee liqueur alternative, and a splash of cream in your hot coffee.
What’s the best coffee for this drink?
Freshly brewed, strong black coffee from a medium to dark roast is ideal. It provides the necessary body and bitterness to balance the sweetness of the liqueurs.
Can I make it ahead of time?
While you can pre-measure the spirits, the coffee should be brewed and added immediately before serving to ensure the drink is piping hot and at its best.
What’s a good garnish for a Blizzard Cocktail?
A generous dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or cocoa powder are classic garnishes for a Blizzard Cocktail. A cinnamon stick can also add a nice aroma.
Is it a dessert drink?
Yes, with its sweet, creamy, and rich profile, the Blizzard Cocktail is often considered a dessert drink, perfect for enjoying after a meal.
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