Pink Squirrel Cocktail Recipe

If a milkshake and a vintage cocktail had a very glamorous baby, it would be the
Pink Squirrel. This retro drink is creamy, blushingly pink, and tastes like
almond, white chocolate, and nostalgia all blended into one glass. Whether you
mix it the classic way with heavy cream or go full dessert mode with ice cream,
the Pink Squirrel cocktail recipe is one of the most fun throwbacks you can
add to your home bar.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what goes into a Pink Squirrel, how it
became a Wisconsin supper club legend, the difference between the shaken and
ice-cream versions, ingredient tips (including what to do if you can’t find
crème de noyaux), plus party ideas and real-world serving experiences that make
this drink shine.

What Is a Pink Squirrel Cocktail?

The Pink Squirrel is a creamy, sweet cocktail built on three ingredients:

• Crème de noyaux – an almond-flavored crème liqueur with a rosy pink color.
• White crème de cacao – a clear chocolate liqueur that adds a soft cocoa note.
• Dairy – traditionally heavy cream, or vanilla ice cream in the blended version.

Combine those, and you get a pale pink drink that tastes like almond extract,
marzipan, and white chocolate with a silky, dessert-like texture. Many modern
bartenders describe it as a “boozy milkshake” or “liquid wedding cake” thanks
to its nutty, confectionary flavor profile.

Today, you’ll see two main styles:

• Classic shaken Pink Squirrel – crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream shaken with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Frozen or ice-cream Pink Squirrel – the same liqueurs blended with vanilla ice cream into a thick, spoonable drink.

The Retro History Behind the Pink Squirrel

The Pink Squirrel is not some random Instagram-era invention. It has serious
midcentury credentials. The drink is widely credited as a Milwaukee original,
created in the 1940s at Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, a legendary dark, cozy bar
that still serves it today as an ice-cream drink and proudly lists it as one of
its most famous cocktails.

Early print recipes in mid-20th-century cocktail books show a version made with
crème de noyaux, crème de cacao, and cream, shaken and served up in a cocktail
or martini glass. Over time, especially in Wisconsin supper clubs, the drink
morphed into a blended ice-cream dessert, joining other creamy classics like
the Grasshopper and Brandy Alexander on “ice cream drink” menus.

In the Midwest, the Pink Squirrel is part cocktail, part ritual. It often
appears at special occasions, holidays, and date nights in old-school supper
clubstypically arriving in a fancy stemmed glass, topped with whipped cream
and a maraschino cherry. Outside that region, it went semi-obscure for a few
decades, but the current craft-cocktail and nostalgia wave has brought it back
into the spotlight.

Classic Pink Squirrel Cocktail Recipe (Shaken)

If you want a bar-style Pink Squirrel that drinks like a creamy nightcap, start
with this classic shaken version. It’s rich but not as heavy as the ice-cream
spin and works well as an after-dinner drink.

Ingredients (1 serving)

• 3/4 ounce crème de noyaux
• 3/4 ounce white crème de cacao
• 1 1/2 ounces cold heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter texture)
• Ice cubes
• Optional garnish: freshly grated nutmeg, whipped cream, or a maraschino cherry

Instructions

1. Chill the glass. Place a coupe, Nick & Nora, or small martini glass in the freezer while you mix.
2. Build the drink. Add crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with ice cubes.
4. Shake hard. Shake for 15–20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is very cold and the cream is lightly aerated.
5. Strain. Fine-strain into your chilled glass to keep the texture silky.
6. Garnish. Top with a little freshly grated nutmeg, a small puff of whipped cream, or a cherry, if desired.

This version is ideal when you want the flavor of the Pink Squirrel without
committing to a full milkshake. It’s also easier to batch for a party because
you do not need a blender or freezer space for ice cream.

Frozen Pink Squirrel Ice Cream Cocktail

The ice-cream Pink Squirrel is where this drink becomes a full dessert. Think
“adult milkshake with vintage supper club energy.” This is the version you’ll
find at many Wisconsin spots and home holiday gatherings.

Ingredients (1 large serving or 2 small)

• 1 1/2 ounces crème de noyaux
• 1 1/2 ounces white crème de cacao
• 3–4 small scoops (about 1 1/2 to 2 cups) vanilla ice cream
• A small handful of crushed ice (optional, for a looser texture)
• Whipped cream and maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions

1. Load the blender. Add crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, and crushed ice (if using) to a blender.
2. Blend. Blend on high until smooth and thick. If it looks too thin, add more ice cream; too thick, add a splash of milk.
3. Serve. Pour into a chilled hurricane, milkshake, or large coupe glass.
4. Top it off. Finish with whipped cream and a cherry. A sprinkle of nutmeg or shaved white chocolate is a nice extra.

This version is richer, sweeter, and absolutely made for celebrations. It’s
perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, bridal showers, or anytime you want
a dessert drink that looks like it came straight from a retro diner or supper
club.

What Is Crème de Noyaux (and What If You Can’t Find It)?

The magic ingredient in any Pink Squirrel cocktail recipe is crème de noyaux.
Despite being described as an “almond liqueur,” it’s usually made from apricot
or cherry pits (the kernels), which naturally carry an almond-like aroma. Many
brands add a bright red or pink hue, which gives the drink its signature color
and contributes to its sweet, marzipan-like flavor.

Historically, crème de noyaux nearly disappeared from the mainstream market.
Only a few brands like Bols kept it alive, and cocktail historians and
enthusiasts helped push for a revival. Today, more traditional-style bottlings,
like those made with actual stone fruit kernels and botanicals, are easier to
find in better liquor stores and online.

Substitutions for Crème de Noyaux

If your local shop does not stock crème de noyaux, you still have options:

• Amaretto + a splash of grenadine: Use equal parts amaretto and white crème de cacao, then add a tiny splash of grenadine to mimic the pink color. It will taste more like amaretto, but still give you a nutty, sweet profile.
• Crème de almond (crème de amande): Some “crème de almond” products, often sold in the same section as coffee liqueurs, give you similar flavor and color, though they may be slightly less complex.
• Almond liqueur + pink coloring: In a pinch, use any almond liqueur and add a drop of red food coloring. It won’t be true crème de noyaux, but visually and flavor-wise, it will get you close enough for a home Pink Squirrel.

If you do substitute, start with slightly less liqueur and taste as you gosome
almond liqueurs are intensely sweet or aromatic and can overpower the drink.

Tips for Making the Perfect Pink Squirrel

1. Choose the Right Glassware

For the classic shaken version, a Nick & Nora, coupe, or small martini
glass looks elegant and keeps the drink cold. For the blended ice-cream
version, go for:

• Milkshake or sundae glasses
• Small hurricane or tulip glasses
• Vintage coupe glasses for a supper-club feel

2. Balance Sweetness and Texture

The Pink Squirrel should taste like a dessert, but not like pure melted candy.
If your drink tastes too sweet or flat, try:

• Adding a pinch of salt to deepen the flavors.
• Using heavy cream instead of sweeter whipped topping in the shaken version.
• Choosing a high-quality, not-too-sweet vanilla ice cream for the blended version.

3. Do Not Skip the Chill

Both versions benefit from very cold serving temperatures. Always chill your
glassware, and in the shaken recipe, shake longer than you would a standard
spirit-forward cocktail. Aeration is key to that luxurious texture.

4. Garnish Like It’s Date Night

The Pink Squirrel is a show-off, and that’s part of the charm. Try:

• Whipped cream swirls and a bright red cherry.
• White chocolate curls or shavings on top.
• A tiny dusting of nutmeg or cocoa powder for depth.

5. How to Batch Pink Squirrels for a Crowd

For the shaken version, you can pre-mix the liqueurs and cream in a pitcher,
keep it cold, and shake individual portions with ice to order. For the
ice-cream version, it’s easier to blend in small rounds so your blender does
not get overwhelmedyou can line up glasses in the freezer and fill them as you
go.

Variations on the Pink Squirrel Cocktail Recipe

• Light Pink Squirrel: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or mix equal parts heavy cream and milk. The drink will be slightly less thick but still indulgent.
• Frozen Berry Squirrel: Add a handful of frozen raspberries or strawberries to the blender version. This boosts fruit flavor, adds natural color, and cuts the sweetness slightly.
• Chocolate-forward Squirrel: Increase the white crème de cacao and add a drizzle of chocolate syrup inside the glass for a more chocolate-rich dessert drink.
• Mocktail “Pink Squirrel” for kids or non-drinkers: Blend vanilla ice cream, almond syrup (like orgeat or almond coffee syrup), a splash of chocolate syrup, and a tiny bit of grenadine. It won’t have the complexity of the original, but it delivers a similar look and flavor profile without alcohol.

Serving & Pairing Ideas

Because it is so rich, the Pink Squirrel works best as a standalone dessert or
alongside light, simple sweets rather than heavy cakes. Try pairing it with:

• Almond cookies or biscotti
• Shortbread or butter cookies
• Fresh berries or a simple fruit salad
• Dark chocolate squares for contrast

For themed nights, it fits right in with:

• Retro cocktail parties – serve alongside Grasshoppers, Brandy Alexanders, and Old Fashioneds.
• Valentine’s Day – its pink color and dessert character make it look like it was made for heart-shaped sprinkles.
• Holiday dinners – instead of a plated dessert, offer a small Pink Squirrel as a liquid sweet course.

Real-Life Pink Squirrel Experiences & Ideas (Extra Inspiration)

Once you start making the Pink Squirrel at home, you quickly realize it is less
of a simple cocktail and more of an experience. It is the kind of drink that
makes people stop mid-conversation, look at their glass, and say, “What is
this and why have I never had it before?”

At-Home “Supper Club” Nights

Imagine dimming the lights, turning on some old jazz or crooner playlists, and
setting the table with linen napkins and heavy flatware. Before dessert, you
clear the plates and announce, “We’re doing a Wisconsin-style ice cream drink
course tonight.” Pink Squirrels arrive in chilled sundae glasses, piled high
with whipped cream and cherries.

Guests who thought they were just coming over for dinner suddenly feel like
they’re on vacation in a retro steakhouse. People compare toppings, trade
garnishes, and debate whether the drink tastes more like marzipan, white
chocolate, or wedding cake frosting. It becomes the moment of the night, and
the recipe is always requested afterward.

Valentine’s Day or Anniversary Treat

The Pink Squirrel’s rosy color and dessert-like personality make it a natural
choice for Valentine’s Day. Instead of buying yet another heart-shaped box of
chocolates, you can shake or blend a pair of Pink Squirrels, add heart-shaped
sprinkles or chocolate shavings, and serve them with a few strawberries.

Many couples enjoy splitting one large ice-cream Pink Squirrel with two straws
and a shared spoonit has major “old-school soda fountain date” energy. You can
even write out a mini “cocktail menu” for the evening and highlight the Pink
Squirrel as the featured drink, making the night feel more special without a
complicated bar setup.

Holiday Hosting Hack

If you host big family gatherings, the Pink Squirrel can become your signature
“surprise dessert.” After the main course is cleared, you bring out the blender
and line up a row of chilled glasses. While coffee brews, you blend batch after
batch of ice-cream Pink Squirrels and pass them around with a small cookie or
two on the side.

Kids can get their own alcohol-free “Squirrels” with vanilla ice cream, almond
or vanilla syrup, and a cherry on top. The adults get the classic version with
crème de noyaux and crème de cacao. Everyone feels included, and you avoid
juggling pies, cakes, and lots of plates.

Bringing the Pink Squirrel to Modern Cocktail Culture

In modern bars, the Pink Squirrel sometimes shows up as a playful “secret menu”
item or a featured dessert cocktail on themed nights. Home bartenders can take
a similar approach: keep the ingredients on hand and occasionally surprise
guests with the drink when they expect another standard spritz or sour.

One fun idea is to host a “Forgotten Cocktails Night,” where each guest picks a
lesser-known classiclike the Pink Squirrel, Grasshopper, or Brandy Alexander
and you make small tasting portions of each. People get to compare textures,
flavors, and sweetness levels, and the Pink Squirrel almost always stands out as
the most unapologetically dessert-like option.

Because of its retro charm and unique flavor, the Pink Squirrel also photographs
beautifully. A pale pink drink crowned with whipped cream, a cherry, and maybe
a striped straw practically begs to be posted, which explains why it has
quietly crept back into social feeds and cocktail blogs. When you serve it at
home, you are not just mixing a drinkyou are reviving a small piece of Midwestern
bar history and giving it new life in your own kitchen.

Whether you prefer the lighter shaken style or the full ice-cream milkshake
version, the Pink Squirrel cocktail recipe is a keeper. It is easy to remember,
easy to batch, visually delightful, and guaranteed to become the surprise hit of
your next gathering.