Decadent Dessert Cocktails

Updated December 10, 2015
Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower

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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: Oxmoor House

Chocolate Cream Martini Recipe

This luxurious chocolate martini is both creamy cocktail and sweet dessert.

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Porter Float

Credit: 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

Credit: 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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