Ingredients
- 1 oz Cherry Brandy
- 1 oz Coconut Rum
- 1 oz Coffee Liqueur
- 2 oz Cream
- 4 Cherries
- Ice
Instructions
Blend or Shake:
- Add cherry brandy, coconut rum, coffee liqueur, cream, and ice into a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Alternatively, add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake well, and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a cherry or a piece of Cherry Ripe for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, creamy, and indulgent taste of the Cherry Ripe Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Cherry Ripe Cocktail doesn’t have a storied past in Prohibition-era speakeasies. Instead, it’s a modern creation, likely born in a home bar or a casual venue, designed as a liquid tribute to the beloved Australian Cherry Ripe chocolate bar. It’s a straightforward homage, blending familiar candy flavors into a new, boozy format.
This drink fits squarely into the dessert cocktail family, sitting alongside creamy concoctions like the Mudslide or a blended White Russian. What sets the Cherry Ripe Cocktail apart is its specific flavor trifecta of cherry, coconut, and coffee, giving it a unique profile that echoes its candy bar inspiration rather than just being a generic sweet treat.
You’d typically find or serve a drink like this at a relaxed dinner party, as an after-dinner treat, or at a casual bar where indulgent, sweet drinks are on the menu. It’s not a cocktail for a quiet, contemplative evening, but rather for those moments when you want something fun, flavorful, and a little bit decadent.
What it tastes like
The Cherry Ripe Cocktail hits you first with a wave of sweet, ripe cherry, quickly followed by the distinct tropical notes of coconut. As it settles, the rich, slightly bitter undertones of coffee liqueur emerge, providing a welcome contrast to the initial sweetness. The cream binds all these flavors, giving it a smooth, dessert-like finish that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
Coming in around 15% ABV, this drink sits comfortably in the middle range for cocktails. It’s stronger than most beers, which typically hover around 5% ABV, but generally less potent than a spirit-forward Old Fashioned or a stiff Martini. It’s designed for sipping and enjoying its flavors, not for rapid consumption.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. If you’re going for a thick, frothy texture, combine all liquid ingredients with a generous scoop of ice in a blender and process until smooth. For a colder, slightly thinner consistency, add everything to a cocktail shaker, fill with ice, and shake hard until well chilled. Strain the mixture into your chosen cocktail glass, usually a coupe or a rocks glass, to serve.
The most critical technique here is achieving the right temperature and consistency. Whether blending or shaking, use plenty of ice to ensure the drink is genuinely cold. For blended versions, don’t under blend, you want a smooth, uniform texture without ice chunks. For shaken, a hard, fast shake ensures proper aeration and chill, especially important for cream-based drinks.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Cherry Brandy
- Use
- A good quality cherry brandy or kirsch is key here. Brands like Cherry Heering offer a rich, authentic fruit flavor. A decent kirsch will provide a drier, more intense cherry note.
- Skip
- Avoid anything that tastes overtly artificial, like cheap cherry syrup or overly sweet maraschino liqueur if it’s your primary cherry flavor. These can make the drink cloying.
- Why
- This ingredient provides the essential fruit backbone and the primary ‘cherry’ flavor that defines the drink, balancing the sweetness and other components.
Coconut Rum
- Use
- Opt for a well-known coconut rum like Malibu or Bacardi Coconut. These offer a balanced sweetness and the distinct tropical note required.
- Skip
- Don’t substitute with plain white rum and expect the same flavor. Also, coconut cream alone won’t provide the necessary alcohol or the specific rum profile this drink needs.
- Why
- The coconut rum delivers the distinctive tropical sweetness that completes the ‘Ripe’ part of the candy bar profile, adding a crucial layer of flavor and aroma.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Frozen Cherry Ripe
- Thick, icy indulgence
- For a truly dessert-like experience, increase the ice and blend until it reaches a thick, slushy consistency. Serve with a spoon.
Dark Cherry Ripe
- Add chocolate depth
- Introduce a splash of dark crème de cacao or chocolate liqueur to the mix for an even more pronounced chocolate bar feel. Adjust cream slightly to maintain texture.
Cherry Ripe Martini
- Shaken, not blended
- If you prefer a cleaner, colder drink without the froth, shake all ingredients vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Reduce cream slightly for a less viscous result.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use cherry liqueur or a splash of kirsch combined with a tiny bit of simple syrup. Maraschino liqueur can work in a pinch, but use less.
Combine white rum with a dash of coconut syrup or a small amount of cream of coconut. It won’t be exactly the same, but it gets you close.
A strong shot of chilled espresso sweetened with a bit of simple syrup can mimic the coffee notes. Alternatively, a chocolate liqueur could provide some dark depth.
Half-and-half will give a lighter body. For a dairy-free option, use coconut milk or almond milk, understanding the texture will be thinner.
A cocktail shaker works fine for a colder, slightly thinner drink. Just shake well and strain. The texture will be different, but still enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Cherry Ripe Cocktail?
A Cherry Ripe Cocktail typically contains cherry brandy, coconut rum, coffee liqueur, and cream, often blended or shaken with ice.
Is it like the Cherry Ripe candy bar?
Yes, the cocktail is designed to mimic the flavor profile of the classic Australian Cherry Ripe chocolate bar, combining cherry, coconut, and a hint of dark sweetness.
Can I make the Cherry Ripe Cocktail dairy-free?
You can substitute the cream with coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk for a dairy-free version, though the texture and richness will differ slightly.
Is the Cherry Ripe Cocktail a strong drink?
It’s a moderately strong cocktail, typically around 15% ABV. It’s designed for sipping and enjoying its flavors, not as a high-octane shot.
Can I make the Cherry Ripe Cocktail frozen?
Absolutely. Increase the amount of ice and blend all ingredients until smooth and slushy for a delicious frozen dessert cocktail.
What glass should I use for a Cherry Ripe Cocktail?
A coupe glass, a rocks glass, or a small wine glass works well, especially if serving it blended or over ice.
Can I use fresh cherries in the drink?
While the recipe calls for cherry brandy, you can muddle a few fresh cherries in the shaker or blender for an added burst of fresh fruit flavor and color.
What’s the best way to garnish a Cherry Ripe Cocktail?
A fresh cherry, a small piece of the actual Cherry Ripe bar, or a sprinkle of grated chocolate makes an ideal garnish.
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