Applebee's-Style Mudslide

A rich, creamy chocolate-coffee-vodka dessert cocktail that mirrors Applebee's famous Mudslide using clean dairy, cold brew coffee, and organic dark chocolate syrup instead of the chain's Kahlúa mix loaded with corn syrup and artificial flavors.

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Ingredients

  • 4 oz premium vodka
  • 2 oz organic coffee liqueur (or 2 oz cold brew concentrate + 1 tsp coconut sugar as non-alcoholic swap)
  • 2 oz organic Irish cream liqueur (or coconut cream + 1 oz cold brew for dairy-free)
  • 1/2 cup organic whole milk or grass-fed half-and-half
  • 1/4 cup organic dark chocolate syrup (raw cacao + maple syrup + water — see below)
  • 1 cup ice
  • FOR ORGANIC CHOCOLATE SYRUP (makes extra):
  • 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp hot water
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • FOR GARNISH:
  • Organic coconut whipped cream
  • Raw cacao nibs or shaved 70% dark chocolate
  • Organic chocolate syrup drizzle

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

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Shop the clean pantry

Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

  • High-powered blender — Smoothies, nut milks, and blended drinks without chunks.
  • Nut milk bag — Strain almond or oat milk to a clean, creamy finish.
  • Cold brew pitcher — Steep coarsely ground coffee in cold water overnight — no machine needed.

Instructions

  1. Make the organic chocolate syrup: whisk together raw cacao powder, maple syrup, hot water, and a pinch of sea salt until completely smooth with no lumps. Let cool slightly.
  2. Drizzle a generous amount of chocolate syrup in a spiral pattern inside two chilled rocks glasses or large cocktail glasses. Refrigerate the glasses for 5 minutes so the syrup sets slightly.
  3. In a blender, combine the vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, whole milk, and 3–4 tablespoons of the chocolate syrup with 1 cup of ice.
  4. Blend on high for 30–45 seconds until completely smooth, creamy, and thick.
  5. Pour the blended Mudslide into the chocolate-drizzled glasses.
  6. Top generously with organic coconut whipped cream.
  7. Drizzle additional chocolate syrup over the whipped cream and finish with raw cacao nibs or shaved dark chocolate.
  8. Serve immediately with a wide straw and a long spoon.

FAQ

Can I make a non-alcoholic Mudslide?

Yes — replace the vodka with 2 oz of coconut cream, replace the coffee liqueur with 2 oz of cold brew concentrate sweetened with a teaspoon of coconut sugar, and replace the Irish cream with coconut cream. The result is a rich chocolate-coffee milkshake with the same thick, creamy texture.

Can I make this frozen like a milkshake instead?

Absolutely — reduce the ice to 1/2 cup and add 2 scoops of organic vanilla ice cream to the blender. Blend until thick and frosty for a frozen dessert cocktail version that closely matches the Applebee's bar presentation.

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