Ingredients
- .5 oz Cake Vodka
- .5 oz Irish Cream
- .5 oz Almond Liqueur
- Top with Half-and-half or milk
- Chocolate Sauce
- Coffee Frozen
Instructions
Prepare the Glass:
- Swirl chocolate sauce into your cocktail glass.
Mix Ingredients:
- Add 0.5 oz of cake vodka, 0.5 oz of Irish cream, and 0.5 oz of almond liqueur to the glass.
Add Coffee and Milk:
- Add frozen coffee ice cubes to the glass.
- Top with half-and-half or milk.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a cherry.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This isn’t a pre-Prohibition classic or a tiki staple. The Monkey Coffee Cocktail likely emerged from the modern bar scene, a creation for patrons seeking a dessert-forward, easy-drinking cocktail. Think casual dining establishments or home bars where sweet, creamy concoctions are king, rather than a speakeasy or high-end lounge.
It sits comfortably within the broad family of dessert and coffee cocktails. While it shares some DNA with an Irish Coffee or a White Russian, the distinct cake vodka and almond liqueur push it into a much sweeter, more confectionary space. It’s less about the coffee bitterness and more about the sweet, creamy indulgence.
You’d typically find this drink served as a digestif or a standalone treat at a casual restaurant, a chain bar, or a comfortable lounge. It’s a solid choice for a nightcap where the goal is sweet satisfaction, not complex mixology.
What it tastes like
From the first sip, the Monkey Coffee Cocktail delivers a sweet, creamy hit of chocolate and coffee. The mid-palate opens up with the distinct notes of almond and the vanilla sweetness of cake vodka, balanced by the richness of Irish cream. The finish is smooth and lingering, a sweet coffee and cream echo that leaves you wanting another sip.
With 0.5 oz each of cake vodka, Irish cream, and almond liqueur, this drink carries about 0.34 ounces of pure alcohol. That puts it at roughly half the alcohol content of a standard 12 oz beer and considerably lighter than most spirit-forward cocktails. It’s a mellow buzz, not a knockout.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. Swirl your chocolate sauce into the glass first for that visual appeal and integrated flavor. Then, add your three liqueurs directly into the glass. Crucially, add the frozen coffee cubes next to chill the whole thing down. Top it off with half-and-half or milk, give it a gentle stir to combine, and finish with a cherry.
The key technique here is using frozen coffee. Regular ice cubes will dilute the coffee flavor as they melt, turning your drink watery. Frozen coffee cubes keep the drink cold while reinforcing the coffee notes, ensuring a rich, undiluted flavor from start to finish.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Cake Vodka
- Use
- Look for brands like Pinnacle Cake, Smirnoff Iced Cake, or even a good quality vanilla vodka. The key is that sweet, almost batter-like flavor.
- Skip
- Don’t just use plain vodka. You’ll lose the signature sweet, vanilla cake flavor that defines a major component of this drink’s profile.
- Why
- It’s the primary sweetening agent and the source of the unique “cake” profile, essential for giving the Monkey Coffee Cocktail its distinct dessert identity.
Almond Liqueur
- Use
- Disaronno Amaretto is the classic choice, but any quality amaretto or almond liqueur will do the trick.
- Skip
- While other nut liqueurs are tasty, swapping almond for hazelnut or pecan will change the specific nutty profile this drink aims for.
- Why
- This ingredient delivers the distinct marzipan or almond extract flavor that defines the “Monkey” part of the name, complementing the coffee and cream components perfectly.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Mocha Monkey
- Chocolate lover’s dream
- Add 0.5 oz of chocolate liqueur alongside the other spirits for an even deeper chocolate presence, or use chocolate milk for the top-off.
Spiced Monkey
- Warm and inviting
- A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg syrup, or a small amount of spiced rum, can add a warming complexity to the sweet profile.
Caramel Monkey
- Sticky sweet indulgence
- Swap the chocolate swirl for caramel sauce and add a splash of caramel liqueur for a richer, butterscotch-like flavor.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use vanilla flavored vodka and a splash of simple syrup, though it won’t have the same specific cake batter notes.
A combination of coffee liqueur and heavy cream can work in a pinch, but the whiskey notes will be different.
Try a hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico for a different but complementary nutty sweetness.
Use strong cold brew coffee concentrate and regular ice, but expect more dilution.
Whole milk or heavy cream will both work, adjusting for richness.
Any sturdy drinking glass or even a coffee mug will do the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Monkey Coffee Cocktail?
The Monkey Coffee Cocktail contains cake vodka, Irish cream, almond liqueur, half-and-half or milk, chocolate sauce, and frozen coffee. It’s typically garnished with a cherry.
Is the Monkey Coffee Cocktail a strong drink?
No, this is a relatively light cocktail. The alcohol content is low, similar to about half a standard beer, making it more of a mellow dessert drink.
Can I make a hot version of this drink?
Absolutely. Skip the frozen coffee and ice, gently warm the half-and-half, and add hot brewed coffee along with the spirits and chocolate swirl.
What kind of coffee should I use for the frozen cubes?
Any strong brewed coffee works well. Consider using a dark roast or espresso for a more robust coffee flavor that stands up to the sweetness.
Is this a dessert cocktail?
Yes, the Monkey Coffee Cocktail is definitely a dessert-style drink. Its sweet, creamy, and indulgent profile makes it perfect as an after-dinner treat.
What does cake vodka taste like?
Cake vodka typically has a sweet, vanilla-forward flavor profile that mimics the taste of yellow cake batter or white frosting, often with notes of sugar and cream.
Can I make the Monkey Coffee Cocktail dairy-free?
You can substitute the Irish cream with a dairy-free alternative and use a plant-based milk or cream substitute like oat milk or almond milk.
Do I need a cherry garnish?
The cherry garnish is optional but adds a classic touch of color and a hint of fruity sweetness to the drink. It’s mostly for presentation.
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