Creamy, sweet, and elegant, this Creme Brûlée Cocktail recipe is surprisingly easy to make! It comes together in 10 minutes and the brulee topping can be made once for several drinks. The velvety vanilla cocktail has that signature caramelized sugar topping, making this basically dessert in a drink! It’s impressive, easy to shake up, and every sip is perfection.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About This Holiday Cocktail Recipe
- Signature Creme Brûlée Flavors – From the rich vanilla cream drink to the caramelized sugar topping, this cocktail hits all of those dreamy things we all love about classic Creme Brûlée.
- Perfect for Having Friends Over – Not only can you make the syrup and the topping ahead of time, but these cocktails shake up in just 10 minutes so you can have more time with your guests!
- Rich and Creamy Texture – The cold cream thickens just a little when shaken, and the egg white makes it perfectly frothy and bubbly so every sip is a treat.
- Unique and Impressive – This cocktail is creative, unique, and beautiful. Perfect for impressing your guests!
Ingredients in a Creme Brûlée Cocktail
Vanilla Simple Syrup
- Sugar, Vanilla, and Water – Simple syrup is just that – simple! Use a quality vanilla extract, and you can even add some seeds from a vanilla bean to up the flavor even more.
Cocktail
- Vanilla Vodka – Vodka that has vanilla flavoring works well because it isn’t sweetened, but usually has a nice and strong vanilla flavor.
- Frangelico – A hazelnut liqueur, Frangelico is rich and sweet and adds such a delicious depth and decadence to this dessert cocktail. It’s also delicious to sip over ice!
- Vanilla Simple Syrup – The homemade simple syrup adds another layer of vanilla flavor and also some sweetness. Feel free to buy store-bought simple syrup to save time on making it yourself. You can also adjust the sweetness of the cocktail by adding more or less syrup, depending on how you like your drinks!
- Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream – The creamy element of the crème brûlée cocktail that mellows the sharpness of the alcohol and gives it that velvety texture we all love in a Creme Brûlée dessert.
- Egg White – Shaking an egg white vigorously with alcohol and ice changes the proteins and makes it safe to drink while creating a magical foamy goodness in the cocktail. You’re going to love it.
How to Make a Vanilla Creme Brûlée Cocktail
Vanilla Simple Syrup
- Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan and stir continuously over medium-low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Set it aside and allow it to cool before using it.
Cocktail
- Add all of the ingredients for the cocktail to a cocktail shaker along with 5-6 ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously for 90 seconds. This is important for making sure the egg white is incorporated correctly!
- Pour it into a cocktail glass and garnish with caramelized sugar pieces.
Caramelized Sugar Pieces
- Line a baking sheet with foil and sprinkle the sugar in a thin even layer.
- Using a kitchen butane torch, slowly melt all of the sugar until it is a medium amber color.
- If you don’t have a torch, place the baking tray under the broiler in your oven and watch it closely. Once the sugar has melted and caramelized, remove the pan.
- Allow the sugar to cool completely and carefully break off pieces to top the creme brulee cocktail.
Tips
- Make the syrup and caramelized sugar pieces ahead of time. Store the syrup in an airtight jar in the fridge, and the caramelized sugar pieces in a ziplock bag or storage container at room temp until you’re ready to use them.
- Be patient with caramelizing the sugar. Once it starts to turn golden it goes quickly, so watch closely and don’t be afraid to try again.
- Use store-bought shortcuts. Need to make this cocktail even faster? Use store-bought vanilla simple syrup and this caramel brulee topping instead!
- Shake the shaker very vigorously for the entire 90 seconds. The reward of a thick, frothy, delicious drink is worth it, I promise!
Storing Vanilla Simple Syrup
Homemade simple syrup should be stored in a clean, airtight container or jar. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How to Pair Creme Brûlée Cocktail
Pair this easy vanilla cocktail with these yummy desserts for anything from a cozy evening at home to the best gathering with friends or family!
- Buttermilk Pie Bars
- Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake
- Baked Apple Croissant
- Nutter Butter Cookies
- The Best Chocolate Cake
More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
- Caramel Apple Martini
- Spiced Cranberry Gin Fizz
- Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail
- Chocolate Espresso Martini
- Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
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Creme Brûlée Cocktail
Creamy, sweet, and elegant, this Creme Brûlée Cocktail recipe is surprisingly easy to make! It comes together in 10 minutes and the brulee topping can be made once for several drinks. The velvety vanilla cocktail has that signature caramelized sugar topping, making this basically dessert in a drink! It's impressive, easy to shake up, and every sip is perfection.
Equipment
- Kitchen Butane Torch or oven broiler
Ingredients
Vanilla Simple Syrup (4 Servings)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Cocktail
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce Frangelico
- 1 ounce vanilla simple syrup
- 1 ounce half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 large egg white
Torched Sugar Topping
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
Instructions
Vanilla Simple Syrup Instructions
- Add the sugar, water, and vanilla to a small saucepan.
- Turn the heat to medium-low and stir constantly until all the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Cocktail
- Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with 5-6 ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously for 90 seconds.
- Pour into a cocktail glass and top with pieces of the torched sugar topping.
Torched Sugar Topping
- Place a piece of foil on a baking sheet and sprinkle on the Tablespoons of sugar.
- Using a torch, torch and melt the sugar until completely melted.
- Allow the melted sugar to cool completely and then break it into pieces to place on top of the drink.
- If you don’t have a torch, simply place the baking sheet under the broiler and watch closely. As soon as the sugar has melted and changed to a light amber color, remove the baking sheet and allow the caramelized sugar to cool completely before breaking into pieces.
Notes
Store the Vanilla Simple Syrup in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Tips:
- Make the syrup and caramelized sugar pieces ahead of time. Store the syrup in an airtight jar in the fridge, and the caramelized sugar pieces in a ziplock bag or storage container at room temp until you’re ready to use them.
- Be patient with caramelizing the sugar. Once it starts to turn golden it goes quickly, so watch closely and don’t be afraid to try again.
- Use store-bought shortcuts. Need to make this cocktail even faster? Use store-bought vanilla simple syrup and this caramel brulee topping instead!
- Shake the shaker very vigorously for the entire 90 seconds. The reward of a thick, frothy, delicious drink is worth it, I promise!
Nutrition
Serving: 6OuncesCalories: 350kcal
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