Crème de cacao turns an ordinary pour into a dessert in a glass. This sweet chocolate liqueur comes in white (clear) and dark versions, and it shows up in some of the most beloved cocktails ever shaken, from the minty Grasshopper to the silky Brandy Alexander. If you’ve got a bottle sitting in the back of your bar cart, it deserves better than collecting dust.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, craving a boozy dessert, or just want something new to shake up after work, there’s a crème de cacao drink for the occasion. Some lean minty and refreshing, others go heavy on coffee or fruit, and a few taste close enough to candy that you’ll forget there’s alcohol in them at all.
For rich, chocolate-forward sipping, the Brandy Alexander stands out as the drink most worth mastering, since its three-ingredient balance of brandy, crème de cacao, and cream has made it a steakhouse classic for decades.
Quick picks:
- Best overall: Brandy Alexander, a creamy classic with brandy and fresh cream
- Best for a minty finish: Grasshopper, cool and dessert-like
- Best for coffee lovers: Chocolate Espresso Martini, bold and energizing
- Best for a party pitcher: Bushwacker, frozen and crowd-pleasing
1. Grasshopper
The Grasshopper is a minty, pale-green classic made from equal parts green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream. It tastes like a chocolate mint cookie turned into a drink, and that’s exactly why it’s stuck around since the 1950s. Shake it hard with ice so it gets frothy and light.
Serve it after dinner instead of dessert. The mint cools your palate while the chocolate liqueur keeps things rich enough to feel indulgent without weighing you down.
2. Brandy Alexander
This one is the gold standard of crème de cacao cocktails. Brandy, dark crème de cacao, and heavy cream shake up into something velvety smooth with a warm, boozy backbone.
A dusting of fresh nutmeg on top makes all the difference, adding a spicy aroma that cuts through the sweetness. It’s a drink with old-school supper club energy, the kind of cocktail you’d expect alongside a steak dinner. Fans of brandy-based sips might also like exploring other brandy cocktails for more variations.
3. 20th Century
The 20th Century cocktail mixes gin, white crème de cacao, Lillet Blanc, and fresh lemon juice for a drink that’s bright, bitter, and a little mysterious. It’s less sweet than most crème de cacao drinks since the citrus and gin keep things sharp.
This one rewards a good shake and a chilled coupe glass. It’s a sophisticated choice if you want chocolate notes without a dessert-level sugar rush.
4. Golden Cadillac
Golden Cadillac blends white crème de cacao, Galliano, and cream into a pale golden, custard-like sip. The Galliano brings warm vanilla and anise notes that pair beautifully with the chocolate.
It tastes like a liquid vanilla milkshake with a kick. Serve it in a coupe for a retro happy hour vibe that feels right at home next to other upscale drinks.
5. Pink Squirrel
The Pink Squirrel combines white crème de cacao with crème de noyaux, a sweet almond-flavored liqueur, plus cream. The result is a pale pink drink that tastes like almond-chocolate candy in liquid form.
It’s an old-fashioned treat that deserves a comeback. Shake it well and strain it into a coupe for a dessert cocktail that feels nostalgic and new at the same time.
6. Chocolate Martini
A Chocolate Martini mixes vodka, dark crème de cacao, and a splash of cream for a smooth, boozy dessert in a glass. Chilling the glass beforehand keeps it crisp and cold through the last sip.
A chocolate syrup rim or cocoa powder dusting adds flair. For more spins on the classic shape, check out these types of martinis.
7. Bushwacker
The Bushwacker is a frozen, tropical take on crème de cacao, blending dark rum, coconut cream, crème de cacao, and ice into a thick, milkshake-like drink. It originated on the Gulf Coast and tastes like a boozy chocolate coconut shake.
It’s built for hot days and beach parties. Blend it thick, pour it into a tall glass, and add a straw for a drink that disappears fast at any gathering.
8. Banshee
The Banshee is a creamy, fruity cocktail made with crème de cacao, crème de banane, and heavy cream. Banana and chocolate come together in a smooth, mellow sip that tastes like a melted candy bar.
It’s sweeter and softer than most crème de cacao drinks on this list. Serve it well chilled, and consider a light banana slice garnish for a fresh touch.
9. Velvet Hammer
The Velvet Hammer lives up to its name with a smooth, slow-building punch. It blends white crème de cacao, triple sec, and cream (sometimes with brandy or vodka) into a dessert-like sipper that hides its strength well.
It’s deceptively strong, so sip slowly. The texture is silky and rich, closer to a liquid truffle than a typical mixed drink.
10. Chocolate Espresso Martini
This twist on the classic espresso martini adds dark crème de cacao to vodka, espresso, and simple syrup for a drink that’s both a pick-me-up and a treat. The chocolate liqueur rounds out the coffee’s bitterness nicely.
It’s a great choice for after-dinner energy without reaching for dessert and coffee separately. Pair it with other favorites from a list of coffee drinks recipes for a caffeinated cocktail night.
11. Chocolate White Russian
Swap in dark crème de cacao alongside vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream for a richer spin on the classic White Russian. The chocolate liqueur adds depth without making the drink overly sweet.
It’s a lazy-evening sipper, best served over ice in a short rocks glass. The layers of coffee and chocolate play off each other in a way that feels indulgent but balanced.
12. Chocolate Orange Martini
Dark crème de cacao and orange liqueur combine with vodka for a cocktail that tastes like a chocolate orange candy melting on your tongue. A twist of orange peel on top brings out the citrus oils for extra aroma.
It’s festive enough for the holidays but easy enough to make any night. Try pairing the orange notes with other orange juice cocktails for a citrus-themed bar menu.
13. 21st Century
A modern riff on the 20th Century cocktail, the 21st Century swaps in different proportions and sometimes mezcal or added citrus for a smokier, bolder profile. White crème de cacao keeps a thread of chocolate running through the drink.
It’s a good pick if you want something unexpected. Fans of smoky spirits might enjoy pairing this one with recipes from a mezcal cocktails list.
14. 19th Century
The 19th Century cocktail mixes rye or bourbon with white crème de cacao, lemon juice, and Lillet or dry vermouth for a drink that balances chocolate sweetness against whiskey’s bite. It’s less common than its 20th Century cousin, but worth seeking out.
The result is layered and a little old-fashioned, best sipped slowly in a coupe glass.
15. Coffee Nudge
The Coffee Nudge blends hot coffee, brandy, crème de cacao, and coffee liqueur, then tops it with whipped cream for a warm, boozy dessert drink. It’s the kind of cocktail you want after a cold walk home.
Serve it in a mug for maximum coziness. The chocolate and coffee flavors meld into something that tastes like melted mocha fudge.
16. Chocolate Old Fashioned
This twist on the classic Old Fashioned adds a few dashes of crème de cacao to bourbon, bitters, and sugar for a drink with a fudgy undertone. The chocolate stays in the background, adding richness rather than sweetness overload.
An orange peel twist brightens the whole thing. It’s a great bridge drink for whiskey lovers curious about chocolate liqueurs, and pairs well with other bourbon cocktails.
17. Chocolate Raspberry Martini
Dark crème de cacao and raspberry liqueur mix with vodka for a cocktail that tastes like a chocolate-covered raspberry. A few muddled raspberries at the bottom of the shaker add fresh tartness and color.
It’s bright, fruity, and a little tart against the chocolate’s sweetness. Rim the glass with cocoa powder for a bakery-style finish.
18. Chocolate-Covered Cherry
This cocktail combines dark crème de cacao, cherry liqueur, and vodka for a drink that tastes just like its candy namesake. A maraschino cherry garnish seals the theme.
It’s sweet, nostalgic, and a little playful. Serve it in a coupe glass for a cocktail that feels like a grown-up throwback to childhood candy boxes.
19. Death by Chocolate
Death by Chocolate goes all in with dark crème de cacao, chocolate vodka, and chocolate syrup, often blended with ice cream for a dessert cocktail that’s as thick as a milkshake. It’s rich enough to share, though most people won’t want to.
A chocolate shaving or drizzle on top makes it look as good as it tastes. This is the drink to reach for when you want pure indulgence, no apologies needed.
White vs. Dark Creme de Cacao
White crème de cacao is clear and lighter in flavor, making it the better choice when you don’t want to change a drink’s color. It still carries real chocolate flavor, just with a cleaner, less syrupy finish.
Dark crème de cacao is deeper in color and flavor, with a more pronounced cocoa richness that stands up well in cream-based or coffee drinks. Think of it as the difference between milk chocolate and semi-sweet baking chocolate.
Many classic recipes specify one or the other for a reason. A Brandy Alexander leans on dark crème de cacao for its depth, while a 20th Century calls for white so the drink stays pale and crisp-looking.
Swapping one for the other won’t ruin a cocktail, but it will shift the final look and taste. Keep both on hand if you plan to work through a list like this one, since a few recipes specifically depend on the contrast.
Tips for Balancing Sweetness and Texture
Crème de cacao is sweet on its own, so balance it with acid, bitterness, or strong spirits rather than more sugar. A squeeze of lemon, a dash of bitters, or a splash of strong coffee keeps a drink from tasting flat and one-note.
Cream and half-and-half add body, but they also mute flavor if you overdo it. Start with a small splash and taste before adding more; you can always pour in extra, but you can’t take it out.
Shake cream-based cocktails longer and harder than you think you need to. A good hard shake with plenty of ice creates that frothy, light texture that separates a great Grasshopper from a flat, syrupy one.
Chill your glassware ahead of time, especially for martini-style drinks. A cold glass keeps the drink tasting crisp longer and stops the cream from warming too fast once poured.
Keep a bottle of both white and dark crème de cacao in your bar setup if you make these drinks often. For more inspiration on mixing sweet, creamy cocktails at home, browse our best creme de cacao drinks or check out 15 creme de cacao drinks for even more recipes to try next.
