Decadent Dessert Cocktails

Updated: March 30, 2016
Sometimes, the best desserts require a straw and a tall glass instead of a fork and a plate. Indulge in these adults-only after dinner drinks, shakes, and cocktails to get that sweet tooth fix you're looking for. 
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Mississippi Mudslides

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Mississippi Mudslides Recipe
The classic after dinner indulgence, these mudslides feature flavors of chocolate, coffee, and of course - bourbon.
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Oaxacan Chocolate Milk Shakes

Photo: Thomas J. Story
Oaxacan Chocolate Milk Shakes Recipe
This spiked chocolate milk shake has been on the menu at Copita, chef and cookbook author Joanne Weir's restaurant in Sausalito, California, since day one. "It's the richest, most decadent milk shake you'll ever taste, and it leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy."

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Homemade (Rum-infused) Horchata

Photo: Ryan Moriarty; Styling: Callie Blount
Homemade (Rum-infused) Horchata Recipe
Whole milk and sweetened condensed milk make this booze-infused Mexican horchata insanely rich and creamy.
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Root Beer Float

Photo: Michael Kraus; Styling: Roscoe Betsill
Root Beer Float Recipe
This adult take on a root beer float features root beer flavored vodka. Don't forget generous amounts of whipped cream and a tall glass to compliment this young-at-heart dessert drink.

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Keoke Coffee

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon
Keoke Coffee Recipe
This cozy coffee drink makes a nice substitute for a dessert after a big meal.

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Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate Recipe
Infuse rich hot cocoa with amaretto liqueur to create this perfect adults-only, cold-weather cocktail.
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Mocha Margarita

Arden Ward Photography
Mocha Margarita Recipe
Indulge in a grown-up version of a chocolate milkshake laced with espresso. Make these dessert margaritas even more impressive by coating the rims of the glasses with a mixture of margarita salt and coarse sugar.

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Pumpkin Bourbon Shakes

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Robyn Valarik 
Pumpkin Bourbon Shakes Recipe
Pumpkin pie in a glass? I think we've found our new favorite fall weather indulgence. With real pumpkin and bourbon, these shakes definitely mean business.

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Pecan "Milk" Punch

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Pecan "Milk" Punch Recipe
Toasted pecans, cream of coconut, cinnamon, and a topping of sweetened whipped cream make it hard to tell if Pecan "Milk" Punch is a cocktail or dessert. Don't make this a hard decision--serve this bourbon concoction for both!
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Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshake

Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshake Recipe
The only thing better than leftover pie is leftover pie in the form of a milkshake... with bourbon.

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Frozen White Chocolate

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Erynn Hedrick Hassinger
Frozen White Chocolate Recipe
Drink your dessert with this decadent milkshake-for-adults. It features white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, crème de cacao, and plenty of vanilla ice cream.

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Hazelnut Dessert Coffee

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Leigh Ann Ross
Hazelnut Dessert Coffee Recipe
This recipe features Frangelico hazelnut-flavored liqueur. Have another favorite liqueur? Feel free to use any that you prefer, such as Grand Marnier or Chambord.
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Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush

Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Tiziana Agnello
Cranberry-Whiskey Sour Slush Recipe
Is it a drink or dessert? Who cares? It satisfies both cravings. Our garnet-colored slush has all the qualities of a delicious cocktail--a not-too-sweet combination of high-quality liquor and fruity tang.

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Chocolate Cream Martini

Oxmoor House
Chocolate Cream Martini Recipe
This luxurious chocolate martini is both creamy cocktail and sweet dessert.

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Porter Float

William Dickey
Porter Float Recipe
Make a simple adults-only float using vanilla ice cream, creamy porter or stout, and a flavorful garnish of fresh raspberries and mint sprigs. Enjoy with a spoon, or take it out by the pool with you and let it thaw into a melty dessert drink.
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Icy Vanilla-Rum Malted Milkshake

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Icy Vanilla-Rum Malted Milkshake Recipe
Dazzle guests with this made-to-order icy beverage that couldn't be easier. This recipe was developed to go in the Magic Bullet--that inexpensive blender that whips up one drink at a time. (If you don't have one, use a regular blender; just start with 2/3 cup ice and add more as needed.) Use bagged, small-piece ice over large, hard chunks. For kids, nix the liquor.
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