When only a velvety smooth drink will do.

Bartenders might reach for lime and soda more often than cream, but there’s a strong case for dairy and other creamy ingredients playing a bigger role in drinks. There are rich whiskeys, experimental IPAs, fringe wine varieties and spirits that all offer something different when it comes to drinks. But we’re here to remind you that you could instead be drinking something that resembles a boozy milkshake.

Creamy cocktails are all about pleasure, and sometimes pleasure should be the only pursuit. Think of creamy cocktails like velvet slippers, valet parking or underfloor heating – AKA part of the good life. So, whether you like your drinks strong, sharp, sweet, savoury or just plain dessert-like, we have a creamy cocktail recipe that absolutely delivers.

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1. Alcoholic Malt Matcha cocktail recipe

Matcha is a flavour turning up in everything from ice cream to biscuits, and now even in the drinks at Maccas, but we’re giving it the cocktail treatment and adding some Frangelico to give that umami flavour a richer, nutty twist. And because this is inspired by Melbourne venue Suupaa’s famously Instagrammable Milo Matcha, it’s also topped with a creamy, malty Milo head. Mix one up and serve it with really good croissants.

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2. Hot Honey Coco Daiquiri

A Daiquiri made creamy and spicy, the Hot Honey Coco Daiquiri seems like it almost shouldn’t work, but it really does. It’s also surprisingly easy to make. The blended Daiquiri is combined with coconut cream to give it that velvety consistency, while the heat from the hot honey hums rather than kicks. The fruitiness suggests this is a summery drink, but its warmth lends it to winter, too, so let’s put this down to a drink for all seasons.

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3. Coconut Limoncello Margarita cocktail recipe

If the Piña Colada and Margarita had a baby, this would be it. Earthy, citrusy and punchy, this cocktail is also sweet and smooth. A real summer holiday in a glass, this might just transport you to the beach resort of your dreams – from the couch. Even better, it’s simple to make but looks seriously impressive, finished with a punchy rim of lemon zest, salt flakes and desiccated coconut that takes the classic Margarita garnish up a notch.

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4. Whisky Mont Blanc cocktail recipe

Melbourne’s coffee culture has produced plenty of iconic drinks, but Mont Blanc from Good Measure in Carlton was ripe for an alcoholic twist. Cold brew topped with airy cream, fresh orange zest and nutmeg – just add Scotch. This cocktail version keeps everything that makes the original so good; it’s creamy, zesty and gently sweet, and the whisky and coffee liqueur add depth. It feels like the perfect bridge between coffee and a cocktail, whether for a relaxed brunch or after-dinner drink

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5. Mango Colada cocktail recipe

There’s something so Australiana about a mango cocktail. This Colada swaps pineapple for mango, loses sharpness but gains silkiness, and maintains that tropical vibe. The addition of Aperol brings depth and sweetness, while the lime keeps everything bright. All together, this is a creamy summer cocktail that really pops, and it feels like it deserves its place on the Aussie icons shelf along with Vegemite and pavlova.

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6. PB&J Martini cocktai recipe

A very grown-up take on peanut butter and jam sandwiches as well as jam doughnuts, the PB&J Martini is the decadent dessert sub that your next dinner party needs. This indulgent mix blends vodka with hazelnut liqueur, Chambord, peanut butter and cream for a cocktail that’s nutty, fruity and velvety smooth. Nostalgic and a total talking point, expect a standing ovation when you serve this up to friends.

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7. Carrot Cake cocktail recipe

A smooth, aromatic cocktail that’s slightly vegetal, gently sweet and unmistakably cake-like, the Carrot Cake is the dessert-lover’s dream drink. Blending fresh carrot juice with rich, nutty Frangelico and VSOP Cognac, you get the sweet and spice that's reminiscent of the classic cake recipe. For visuals, the walnut crusted ice-cube really makes a statement – essential if you want to compete with your aunty’s homemade carrot cake. You will, of course, win.

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8. Cookies & Cream cocktail recipe

Unapologetically indulgent, the Cookies & Cream is also deceptively easy as it only requires three ingredients. Inspired by the much-loved Espresso Martini, it blends vanilla vodka, Frangelico and ice cream for a thick, shake-like texture with nutty sweetness and plenty of vanilla flavour. Finished with a classic Oreo garnish, it also leans fully into dessert credentials.

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9. Pistachio Maple Martini cocktail recipe

For people who recognise pistachio as the best gelato flavour, we have a cocktail that’s equally superior in flavour. Nutty, sweet and strong, this is a cocktail that we think even savoury fans will be licking their lips over. It requires a generous dollop of Pistachio Papi spread (so you have a valid excuse to buy more) and it has the makings of a signature sip.

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10. Affogato cocktail recipe

This is a twist on an after-dinner classic that can require a lot of faff (all the glasses and spoons and little trays), but not the way we do it. The Affogato cocktail requires chucking everything in a blender, and then into a chilled coupe. The traditional dessert is served throughout Jamie Oliver’s multi-national hospitality empire because it ticks all the boxes with simple, good ingredients, but we think our cocktail riff is even more “lovely jubbly”.

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11. Piña Colada cocktail recipe

We’ve offered a few creative takes on the Colada in this list (and we have more – search “Colada” in our recipe collection), but the classic is just that for a reason. Pineapple is the last fruit you’d think to make creamy – too tart, too watery – but boy is it fire. Created at Puerto Rico’s Caribe Hilton in the 1950s, this iconic cocktail has unmistakable holiday energy. Rum, pineapple, coconut and a Maraschino cherry on top. Perfect!

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12. White Russian cocktail recipe

Ordering a White Russian has big energy, and not just because it’s the drink of choice for The Dude in the 1998 cult film The Big Lebowski. It’s a glass of milk with a kick; a nighttime routine made “party”. It’s retro, knowing, unserious and unpretentious. And like a hot chocolate in a round of short blacks, it’s the more delicious option. To taste, it’s creamy, rich, sweet and mellowed. A perfect night cap.