Don’t be fooled by this cocktail’s silly name: The Pink Squirrel Cocktail is actually very elegant and quite tasty. This uniquely nutty cocktail has the most incredible flavor. You’re going to love it!
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About this Pink Squirrel cocktail recipe
Despite its silly name, this pink squirrel cocktail is one of the best dessert cocktails out there! It’s creamy, fruity and has the most delightfully nutty flavor from fresh grated nutmeg and almond liqueur. A fusion of fantastic flavors that you won’t soon forget.
The beautiful pink color of this cocktail comes from the use of crème de noyaux, a red, almond-flavored crème liqueur that is made from apricot kernels or cherry pits. Mix that with white crème de cacao and you get an elegant pink color!
A pink squirrel is perfectly sweet enough to be the best after-dinner cocktail you’ve ever tasted. I have plenty of delicious pink cocktails, like my famous frosé, but none as creamy and sweet as the pink squirrel cocktail. This lovely little recipe is sure to finish off your fancy dinner in style!
More after-dinner cocktails: Nutty Irishman • Brandy Alexander Cocktail • Tiramisu Martini
Why you’ll love this recipe
The pink squirrel is a classic for a reason! It’s easy to love this milkshake inspired drink:
- This pretty pink drink is perfect for bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and so much more! It’s fun, elegant and absolutely delicious.
- Step up your game when hosting a dinner party. This is the best after-dinner cocktail ever.
- The pink squirrel cocktail is really easy to make. Just throw everything in a cocktail shaker and mix it up!
What is a Pink Squirrel cocktail?
The pink squirrel is a delightful after-dinner cocktail that is made with crème de noyaux, white creme de cacao, heavy cream and freshly grated nutmeg. It’s meant to be a bit reminiscent of a milkshake! In fact, some people actually make it with ice cream instead of heavy cream. Served in a chilled cocktail glass, this cold and creamy cocktail will have you going nutty!
History of the Pink Squirrel cocktail
It is said that this pretty pink cocktail was created in a cocktail lounge at Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the early 1940s. Most people say that it was originally created as a spiked ice cream beverage. But over the years, heavy cream has become the more widely used ingredient. This nutty cocktail is still really popular in the Midwest, but has grown in popularity all over the nation now.
Tools & glassware
To make this easy cocktail, you only need a few basic tools. Make sure you’ve got a cocktail shaker and jigger. Then you’ll also need coupe glasses to serve!
Ingredients
You can make this cocktail with just four simple ingredients:
- crème de noyaux
- white crème de cacao
- heavy cream
- freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Variations & substitutions
If you don’t have crème de noyaux, Difford’s Guide suggests using 3 parts amaretto to one part pomegranate juice as a substitute.
Though freshly grated nutmeg is the far superior flavor, you can use ground nutmeg if that is all that you have on hand.
Crème de cacao comes in two colors — white and brown. I’ve got a great 101 post on this very topping, but here’s the gist. The white is quite different from “white chocolate liqueur” which is creamy vs clear. I suppose you could use the white chocolate liqueur, but I’ve not tried it. I recommend just sticking with white crème de cacao.
Instructions
This delicious after-dinner cocktail can be made in just two simple steps. Here’s what you need to do:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao and heavy cream. Shake well to combine.
Strain into a coupe glass and then grate whole nutmeg over top.
Tips and tricks
These few tips and tricks will make for the most success with this nutty cocktail recipe:
- You need to shake the cocktail shaker very hard to get the cream to form a thick layer on top. So make sure to shake well to make that delicious creamy layer.
- Use a microplane to grate the whole nutmeg. I highly recommend using whole nutmeg because the flavor is just so much better!
- Keep this cocktail extra extra cold for the best flavor and texture. Chill your coupe glasses to help keep the drink cold.
Food pairings
This drink is mainly meant to be a sweet treat after dinner, but there are a few things that you can pair it with as well. A warm and soft chocolate chip cookie or sugar cookies would be so tasty with this drink.
Some creamy chocolate peanut butter fudge is lovely pairing with the nutty flavor of this cocktail. Savory treats like baked brie and whipped feta dip would go well with a sweet drink too.
FAQ
This drink was created in the 1940s and quickly rose in popularity! It is still a widely used cocktail, even today.
As suggested by Difford’s Guide, 3 parts amaretto to one part pomegranate juice is a great substitute for crème de noyaux.
More Pink Cocktails
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Pink Squirrel Cocktail
ingredients
- ¾ ounces crème de noyaux
- ¾ ounces white crème de cacao
- 1½ ounce heavy cream
- freshly grated nutmeg for garnish
instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao and heavy cream. Shake well.
- Strain into a coupe glass. Grate whole nutmeg over top.
notes
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