Name: Cinnamon Roll Rum Cream: Decadent Dessert Drink
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 oz Spiced Rum or Gold Rum: Spiced rum (like Captain Morgan or Sailor Jerry) naturally complements the cinnamon roll theme. For a purer, more caramel-forward note, a good-quality gold rum (like Appleton Estate Signature Blend) is also an excellent choice.; 1 oz Coffee Liqueur: This is the secret ingredient that mimics the deep, slightly bitter notes of the baked dough and provides a robust base. Kahlúa is the classic choice.; 1 oz Irish Cream Liqueur: This provides the creamy, vanilla-and-whiskey notes that are essential for the “frosting” flavor. Baileys is the standard-bearer.; 2 oz Half-and-Half or Whole Milk: This creates the body of the drink. For an ultra-rich and decadent texture, use heavy cream.; 1 oz Cinnamon Syrup: This is the heart of the “cinnamon roll” flavor. You can use a store-bought version, but a quick homemade syrup is vastly superior (see recipe below).; 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract: Enhances the bakery-style sweetness.; A Pinch of Fine Sea Salt: This is a critical ingredient. It cuts the sweetness and amplifies all the other flavors, just as salt does in baking.; 1/2 cup Water; 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed); 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar; 3-4 Cinnamon Sticks, lightly crushed; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; 2 oz Cream Cheese, softened; 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar; 1-2 tbsp Milk or Heavy Cream; 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract; Additional Ground Cinnamon, for dusting

Description

Indulge in Cinnamon Roll Rum Cream! This creamy, decadent liqueur tastes just like a fresh cinnamon roll. Perfect for sipping or drizzling.

Ingredients

The magic of this drink lies in the harmony of its components. Using high-quality ingredients, especially a good rum, is the key to achieving a sophisticated result, not just a cloyingly sweet one.

The Core Spirits & Liqueurs:

2 oz Spiced Rum or Gold Rum: Spiced rum (like Captain Morgan or Sailor Jerry) naturally complements the cinnamon roll theme. For a purer, more caramel-forward note, a good-quality gold rum (like Appleton Estate Signature Blend) is also an excellent choice.
1 oz Coffee Liqueur: This is the secret ingredient that mimics the deep, slightly bitter notes of the baked dough and provides a robust base. Kahlúa is the classic choice.
1 oz Irish Cream Liqueur: This provides the creamy, vanilla-and-whiskey notes that are essential for the “frosting” flavor. Baileys is the standard-bearer.

The Creamy Elements:

2 oz Half-and-Half or Whole Milk: This creates the body of the drink. For an ultra-rich and decadent texture, use heavy cream.
1 oz Cinnamon Syrup: This is the heart of the “cinnamon roll” flavor. You can use a store-bought version, but a quick homemade syrup is vastly superior (see recipe below).

The Flavor Enhancers:

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract: Enhances the bakery-style sweetness.
A Pinch of Fine Sea Salt: This is a critical ingredient. It cuts the sweetness and amplifies all the other flavors, just as salt does in baking.

For the Cinnamon Syrup (Homemade is Best):

1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
3-4 Cinnamon Sticks, lightly crushed
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

For the “Cream Cheese Icing” Drizzle & Garnish:

2 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
1-2 tbsp Milk or Heavy Cream
1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
Additional Ground Cinnamon, for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Syrup (Can be done ahead)
In a small saucepan, combine the water, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and crushed cinnamon sticks. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and let it cool completely. Strain out the cinnamon sticks. The syrup can be stored in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Step 2: Prepare the “Cream Cheese Icing” Drizzle
In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Whisk vigorously until completely smooth. If it’s too thick to drizzle, add the remaining milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a pourable but still thick consistency. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Your Glassware
Take a chilled rocks glass or a coupe glass. Using a spoon, drizzle the inside of the glass with the cream cheese icing, creating artistic swirls. This ensures the “frosting” flavor is present in every single sip.

Step 4: Combine the Liquid Ingredients
In a cocktail shaker, combine the 2 oz of spiced rum, 1 oz of coffee liqueur, 1 oz of Irish cream, 2 oz of half-and-half, 1 oz of the homemade cinnamon syrup, the vanilla extract, and the pinch of salt.

Step 5: The “Dry” Shake for a Perfect Emulsion
Secure the lid on your shaker tightly and shake the mixture without ice for about 15 seconds. This “dry shake” is crucial for creamy cocktails. It emulsifies the dairy with the spirits, creating a smoother, frothier, and more integrated texture, preventing any separation.

Step 6: The Iced Shake for Chill and Dilution
Now, open your shaker, add a generous scoop of fresh, high-quality ice, and secure the lid again. Shake this mixture vigorously and with purpose for a full 20-30 seconds. The shaker should become very cold to the touch. This chills the drink and provides the necessary dilution from the melting ice, which mellows the alcohol and harmonizes the flavors.

Step 7: The Strain, Pour, and Grand Finale
Double-strain the cocktail into your prepared glass: use your Hawthorne strainer to hold back the ice and a fine-mesh strainer to catch any small ice chips, ensuring a perfectly smooth pour. For the final touch, drizzle more of the cream cheese icing over the top of the drink in a cross-hatch pattern. Finish with a lavish dusting of ground cinnamon over the entire surface.

Notes

Cocktail Shaker
Hawthorne Strainer & Fine-Mesh Strainer
Jigger
Small Saucepan
Whisk & Small Bowls

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Category: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 35g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 3g