If you’re craving a drink that’s sweet, creamy, a little salty, and loaded with boozy coffee flavor, the Iced Salted Caramel Mudslide is exactly what you need. This drink is an indulgent twist on the classic mudslide cocktail, blending rich coffee liqueur, vodka, Baileys Irish Cream, and silky caramel syrup with ice and cream. It’s finished with a drizzle of caramel, a pinch of sea salt, and a cloud of whipped cream. It’s basically dessert in a glass—but with a kick.
This is the kind of cocktail you serve when you want to impress guests, unwind in style, or turn an ordinary evening into something a little more decadent. It’s ideal for summer evenings, after-dinner drinks, brunch with friends, or whenever your sweet tooth and cocktail cravings collide. The salted caramel adds depth and contrast to the sweetness, while the cold, creamy base makes it incredibly refreshing. Whether served in a mason jar, a rocks glass, or a fancy coupe, this drink never fails to impress. Let’s mix it up.
Ingredients
-
1 oz vodka
-
1 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
-
1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
-
1 oz caramel syrup
-
1 oz heavy cream (or substitute with oat, almond, or whole milk)
-
Ice cubes
-
Sea salt (for garnish)
-
Caramel drizzle (for garnish)
-
Whipped cream (for topping)
Optional additions: -
Chocolate syrup drizzle
-
Espresso shot (for extra caffeine kick)
-
Crushed toffee bits or chocolate shavings for garnish
Preparation
Prepare the glass
Step 1: Rim and drizzle
Take your serving glass and lightly drizzle caramel syrup inside, letting it coat the sides in swirls. You can also dip the rim in caramel and then into crushed sea salt for a salted caramel edge. Place the glass in the freezer for a few minutes while you mix the drink.
Shake the cocktail
Step 2: Add ingredients to shaker
In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz Baileys, 1 oz caramel syrup, and 1 oz heavy cream. Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the top.
Step 3: Shake well
Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds. This not only chills the drink but also creates a smooth, slightly frothy texture from the cream.
Serve and garnish
Step 4: Strain and pour
Remove your chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail into the glass filled with fresh ice. The creamy consistency should flow beautifully over the caramel drizzles.
Step 5: Add the finishing touch
Top the drink with a swirl of whipped cream. Garnish with a light sprinkle of sea salt and another drizzle of caramel syrup. For extra flair, add chocolate shavings or crushed toffee on top.
Variation
There are endless ways to personalize your Iced Salted Caramel Mudslide:
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Frozen Mudslide: Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth for a thick, milkshake-style version.
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Spiked Coffee: Add a shot of cooled espresso for a more intense coffee flavor.
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Mocha Mudslide: Replace caramel syrup with chocolate syrup or use half of each.
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Vegan Twist: Use plant-based cream and Baileys Almande (almond milk liqueur).
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Dessert Style: Top with crushed cookies, chocolate chips, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
COOKING Note
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Always use cold ingredients for the smoothest texture—chill your cream, spirits, and even your glass.
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Caramel syrup can be store-bought or homemade. For deeper flavor, use a salted caramel version.
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Don’t skip the sea salt—it enhances the sweetness and balances the drink beautifully.
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Heavy cream gives the richest texture, but milk alternatives work fine if you want something lighter.
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Shake hard! The combination of cream and alcohol blends better with a vigorous shake.
Tips
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Chill your glass for 5–10 minutes before serving to help the caramel swirl stay intact.
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For a fancy presentation, use a torch to lightly toast the whipped cream on top.
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Double the recipe and serve in a pitcher for a crowd at parties or brunch.
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Use a cocktail skewer with a mini caramel candy as a fun stirrer.
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Keep everything proportioned 1:1:1 for easy scaling of this recipe.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Nutritional Information (per serving)
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Calories: 320
-
Protein: 2g
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Fat: 12g
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Carbohydrates: 35g
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Sugar: 30g
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Sodium: 105mg
Note: Nutritional values may vary based on cream and syrups used.
FAQs
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes! Replace vodka and liqueurs with cold brew coffee, cream, and caramel syrup for a delicious mocktail.
What kind of caramel syrup works best?
Use a high-quality caramel syrup or make your own with sugar, butter, and cream. Salted caramel adds more depth.
Is this drink strong?
It has the richness of a dessert and moderate alcohol content. You can reduce the vodka for a lighter version.
Can I make a batch ahead of time?
Yes, mix all ingredients except cream and ice, then chill. Shake with cream and ice just before serving.
How do I serve this at parties?
Set up a mudslide bar with bottles of vodka, liqueurs, cream, caramel, toppings, and let guests shake their own.
Conclusion
The Iced Salted Caramel Mudslide is where indulgence meets refreshment. With layers of coffee, cream, caramel, and a hint of salt, it’s everything you want in a dessert cocktail—sweet, balanced, rich, and just boozy enough to make you smile. Whether you’re winding down after a long day, hosting a get-together, or simply in the mood for something special, this cocktail is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and looks as good as it tastes. One sip and you’ll be hooked on this irresistible caramel creation.
Print
Iced Salted Caramel Mudslide Recipe
- Total Time: 5 min
Ingredients
Ingredients
-
1 oz vodka
-
1 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
-
1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
-
1 oz caramel syrup
-
1 oz heavy cream (or substitute with oat, almond, or whole milk)
-
Ice cubes
-
Sea salt (for garnish)
-
Caramel drizzle (for garnish)
-
Whipped cream (for topping)
Optional additions: -
Chocolate syrup drizzle
-
Espresso shot (for extra caffeine kick)
-
Crushed toffee bits or chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Rim and drizzle
Take your serving glass and lightly drizzle caramel syrup inside, letting it coat the sides in swirls. You can also dip the rim in caramel and then into crushed sea salt for a salted caramel edge. Place the glass in the freezer for a few minutes while you mix the drink.
Step 2: Add ingredients to shaker
In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz Baileys, 1 oz caramel syrup, and 1 oz heavy cream. Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the top.
Step 3: Shake well
Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds. This not only chills the drink but also creates a smooth, slightly frothy texture from the cream.
Step 4: Strain and pour
Remove your chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail into the glass filled with fresh ice. The creamy consistency should flow beautifully over the caramel drizzles.
Step 5: Add the finishing touch
Top the drink with a swirl of whipped cream. Garnish with a light sprinkle of sea salt and another drizzle of caramel syrup. For extra flair, add chocolate shavings or crushed toffee on top.
Notes
-
Always use cold ingredients for the smoothest texture—chill your cream, spirits, and even your glass.
-
Caramel syrup can be store-bought or homemade. For deeper flavor, use a salted caramel version.
-
Don’t skip the sea salt—it enhances the sweetness and balances the drink beautifully.
-
Heavy cream gives the richest texture, but milk alternatives work fine if you want something lighter.
-
Shake hard! The combination of cream and alcohol blends better with a vigorous shake.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Protein: 2g