Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Not going to sugar coat anything here, this is a dessert cocktail. It is sweet, boozy, and kind of like Christmas in a cup…but even sweeter. I mean, it’s a Buddy the Elf Cocktail, what else would you expect?

Buddy loves his sugar.

I’ve had this idea to make an Elf inspired cocktail since last Christmas. Yes, last Christmas. Here’s the thing, in case you guys have not noticed, I love the holidays, and Christmas is by far my favorite. It seems as though every December I have so much content that I want to share with you guys, but just not enough days to actually share it. Well this is just one of those recipes that I was never able to share last year. I made a similar version of this drink a few days before Christmas and just wasn’t able to get it posted. Thankfully, I put the recipe in a safe place…and now get to share it today!

Again, so excited.

Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

For all those who have watched the movie Elf, then you know Buddy loves two things, Christmas and sugar. He eats his spaghetti topped with maple syrup, M&M’s, and marshmallows, and his four main food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corn, and maple syrup. So yeah, sugar, sugar, sugar.

A lot of people have recreated Buddy’s spaghetti, but well, I just couldn’t go that far, so instead I created this sweet drink that’s actually something I would want to sip on. Yes, it’s sweet, but in a good way, not in a gross way. It’s kind of like a cross between a White Russian and a Gingerbread Martini. I used a mix of vodka and Kahlúa, sweetened it with real maple syrup (which I am not sure Buddy would approve of, but it’s what I use), flavored it with a good amount of vanilla, a little molasses, some cinnamon, and ginger, and then topped each drink off with a splash of sweetened condensed milk. You could also just use milk for a less sweet version, but the condensed milk is really like the icing on the cake. Pretty amazing.

PS. you can all thank my cousin, Abby for the sweetened condensed milk addition…all her idea.

If you want to take this drink even a step further (which I think Buddy would suggest you do), you can finish each glass with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce…

Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Over the top much?

Yes, definitely.

Sometimes though, things just need to be over the top. This just may be one of those times.

Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
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4.24 from 42 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Buddy the Elf Cocktail

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas cocktail, festive cocktail

Sweet, but in a good way. This drink is a mix of vodka and Kahlúa, sweetened with real maple syrup and flavored with vanilla, a little molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, then topped with a splash of sweetened condensed milk. Buddy would love it, and you will too!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 drinks
Calories 278 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) vodka
  • 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Kahlúa, or more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 teaspoons molasses
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, whole milk, or sweetened condensed milk
  • chocolate syrup, for topping
  • whipped cream, candy canes, candies, and gingerbread cookies, for serving

Instructions

  1. 1. In a cocktail shaker combine the vodka, Kahlúa, maple syrup, vanilla, molasses, cinnamon, and ginger. Shake until well combined. Add ice and shake again. Strain into 4 glasses. Top off each glass with heavy cream, whole milk or sweetened condensed milk. Dollop with whipped cream and garnish as desired. DRINK!

Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Cheers to a festive Saturday night…and a possible a headache in the morning. Sorry, not sorry.