A cocktail with a funny name, pink hue, and sweet flavors of chocolate and almond, the Pink Squirrel is a tried and true classic. A creamy dessert drink made with white creme de cacao, creme de noyaux, and heavy cream, this “pretty in pink” indulgence is a delight.
Made as a shaken cocktail or blended with ice cream, the candy pink cocktail dates back to the 1940s and is a wonderful after dinner treat or dessert cocktail. Containing Creme De Cacao and cream like the Grasshopper and Brandy Alexander, the distinguishing almond essence from the Creme De Noyaux is what sets the Pink Squirrel apart.
What’s in a Pink Squirrel Drink
- Creme de Noyaux. An almond flavored liqueur. If you can’t find it, use Amaretto. Using Amaretto will give the drink more of a brown color than pink, but will still mimic the almondy flavor. Add a drop of red food coloring to the cocktail shaker to give the drink its notorious pinkish hue.
- White Creme de Cacao. A sweet, chocolate flavored liqueur found in many dessert drinks. It is also available in dark, but for this recipe we recommend the white.
- Heavy cream. Heavy cream will yield a thicker and creamier cocktail, but any milk can be used.
What is creme de noyaux?
A liqueur with almond flavor made from the kernels of apricots and other stone fruits. It’s bright red hue gives the Pink Squirrel its pink color when combined with the heavy cream. Finding Creme De Noyaux can be difficult since it isn’t used in many other cocktails besides the Pink Squirrel, but is worth it for this recipe.
How to Make a Pink Squirrel Cocktail
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until chilled and well combined
- Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe glass.
- Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg
Why is it Called a Pink Squirrel
The name of the cocktail comes from the pink color of the drink, which is achieved thanks to the combination of red-colored Creme de Noyaux and heavy cream.
Where was the Pink Squirrel Invented
The Pink Squirrel cocktail was created in the 1940s at a bar in Milwaukee Wisconsin, of course making it near and dear to our Wisconsin hearts. It isn’t as popular as it once was, but will always be a classic.
How to make it as an Ice Cream Drink
The Pink Squirrel was surprisingly first created as an ice cream drink. Simply swap the heavy cream for two scoops of vanilla ice cream. Place ice cream, creme de noyaux, and creme de cacao in a blender and blend until smooth.
Other Classic Cocktails
Pink Squirrel
Ingredients
- 1 ounce white creme de cacao
- 1 ounce creme de noyaux or amaretto
- 1 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe glass.
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