Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
- 1.5 oz Irish Cream
- 2 oz Milk
Instructions
Shake Ingredients:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1.5 oz butterscotch schnapps, 1.5 oz Irish cream, and 2 oz milk.
Strain and Serve:
- Shake well and strain the mixture into your cocktail glass.
Garnish:
- Garnish with chocolate shavings for an extra touch of indulgence.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the sweet, creamy flavors of the Butterfinger Cocktail!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Like many popular dessert drinks, the Butterfinger Cocktail doesn’t have a definitive origin story or a storied past. It’s a contemporary creation, likely born in home bars or casual establishments looking to translate popular candy flavors into a drinkable format. It’s a testament to the modern trend of nostalgia-driven cocktails, designed for immediate recognition and pleasure rather than historical gravitas.
This drink fits squarely into the dessert cocktail category, alongside classics like the Mudslide or the Grasshopper. It shares the creamy, indulgent profile of these drinks, but distinguishes itself with the specific butterscotch and hints of chocolate and peanut that evoke the Butterfinger candy bar. It’s less boozy than a White Russian, more focused on a singular flavor profile than a layered shooter.
You’d typically find or serve this drink at a casual get-together, a home bar party, or as a late-night treat. It’s not a pre-dinner aperitif or a serious cocktail bar staple. Think of it as a liquid dessert to cap off an evening, or a fun, easy-drinking option for those with a serious sweet tooth.
What it tastes like
On the front, you get a rush of sweet, buttery caramel from the schnapps, immediately followed by the creamy, smooth texture from the Irish cream and milk. Mid-palate, the Irish cream introduces subtle notes of chocolate and a whisper of whiskey, adding depth without overpowering the sweetness. The finish is smooth, lingering with a pleasant, sweet creaminess and a hint of the butterscotch, leaving a taste reminiscent of the candy bar’s crunchy, peanut-buttery core.
This Butterfinger Cocktail clocks in around 9-10% ABV, making it a relatively mild cocktail. To put that in perspective, a standard beer usually sits between 4-6% ABV, while many classic cocktails can range from 15-25% or higher. This means you can enjoy a couple without getting too far ahead of yourself, especially considering its rich, sweet profile.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. Grab your shaker, toss in a good amount of ice, then pour in your butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream, and milk. Give it a vigorous shake for about 15-20 seconds. You want it well-chilled and slightly aerated. Strain it into a chilled cocktail glass, a coupe, or even a small rocks glass without ice. A few chocolate shavings on top finish it off nicely.
The most important technique here is a proper, hard shake. Because you’re working with dairy and creamy liqueurs, a good shake not only chills the drink thoroughly but also aerates it, giving it a richer, smoother, almost frothy texture. A weak shake will leave it thin, under-chilled, and uninspired, tasting more like a lukewarm chocolate milk than a proper cocktail.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Butterscotch Schnapps
- Use
- Brands like DeKuyper, Hiram Walker, or Bols offer reliable butterscotch schnapps, typically around 15-20% ABV. Look for one with a genuine, rich butterscotch flavor, not just a sugary caramel.
- Skip
- Don’t just use caramel syrup or a plain caramel liqueur. You’ll miss the distinct ‘scotch’ or slightly burnt sugar note that gives butterscotch its unique depth and helps define the Butterfinger flavor.
- Why
- This is the primary flavor driver, providing the sweet, buttery, and slightly toffee-like backbone that mimics the core of the Butterfinger candy bar. Without it, the drink is just a creamy, sweet mix.
Irish Cream
- Use
- Baileys is the industry standard for a reason, offering a consistent 17% ABV with its blend of cream, Irish whiskey, and chocolate/vanilla notes. Carolans or other quality Irish creams also work well.
- Skip
- Avoid simply using plain cream and a shot of whiskey. Irish cream provides a complex, pre-blended profile of dairy, whiskey, chocolate, and vanilla that’s difficult to replicate on the fly with individual ingredients.
- Why
- Irish cream provides the luxurious creamy body, a subtle whiskey warmth, and the underlying chocolate and vanilla notes that complete the Butterfinger profile, making it a rich and well-rounded dessert cocktail.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Spiked Butterfinger
- Add a shot of complementary spirit for extra kick.
- For a bit more booze and nutty flavor, add 0.5 oz of peanut butter whiskey or a hazelnut liqueur to the shaker. It deepens the profile and increases the ABV.
Frozen Butterfinger
- A frosty, blended version for warmer days.
- Combine all ingredients with about 1 cup of ice in a blender. Blend until smooth. This makes a thicker, slushy version, perfect for a hot afternoon treat.
Chocolate Butterfinger
- Lean into the chocolate notes.
- Add 0.5 oz of chocolate liqueur or a small drizzle of chocolate syrup to the shaker. This amplifies the chocolate aspect, making it even more decadent and dessert-like.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
You can try 1.5 oz of caramel liqueur or a mix of 1 oz neutral spirit (like vodka) with 0.5 oz caramel syrup. The flavor won’t be identical, but it will maintain the sweet, buttery profile.
Combine 1 oz heavy cream, 0.5 oz Irish whiskey, and a dash of chocolate syrup or liqueur. It’s not a perfect match, but it gets you close to the creamy, boozy, chocolate notes.
Half and half will give you a richer, thicker drink. For a non-dairy option, oat milk or almond milk work well, though they will slightly alter the final flavor and texture.
Combine all ingredients in a tall glass with plenty of ice. Stir vigorously with a long spoon for at least 30 seconds to ensure proper chilling and some aeration, then strain into your serving glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Butterfinger Cocktail?
A Butterfinger Cocktail typically contains butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream, and milk, often garnished with chocolate shavings.
Does it really taste like a Butterfinger candy bar?
It aims for the flavor profile, specifically the sweet, buttery, and slightly peanut-chocolate notes. It’s a close approximation in liquid form, especially for those who enjoy dessert cocktails.
What kind of milk should I use?
Whole milk provides the richest texture, but 2% milk works fine. For a lighter drink, skim milk can be used, but it will be less creamy.
Can I make this drink dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute a dairy-free Irish cream alternative and use a non-dairy milk such as oat or almond milk.
Is this a strong drink?
No, it’s a relatively mild cocktail, usually around 9-10% ABV. It’s comparable to a strong beer rather than a potent spirit-forward drink.
What’s the best way to garnish a Butterfinger Cocktail?
Chocolate shavings are the classic garnish. You can also use a light dusting of cocoa powder or a small piece of a Butterfinger candy bar crumbled on top.
Is this an after-dinner drink?
Absolutely. Its sweet, creamy, and dessert-like profile makes it an ideal choice for an after-dinner indulgence or a liquid treat.
What type of glass should I use?
A chilled cocktail glass, coupe, or even a small rocks glass without ice works best. The idea is to serve it neat and cold to enjoy its creamy texture.
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