This velvet hammer drink features vodka, along with chocolate and orange liquors for a dessert-like cocktail. The name comes from it being hard hitting with 3 types of alcohol, but smooth to drink.
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or mason jar) with ice
1 Ounce vodka, 1 Ounce creme de cacao, 1 Ounce triple sec, 2 Ounces half and half, ½ Ounce grenadine, Ice cubes
Shake until well blended and chilled, approximately 20-30 seconds
Strain into a glass filled with ice
Garnish with a slice of orange or chocolate shavings if desired, and enjoy
Milkshake Variation Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender, swapping 2 cups of ice cream in for the half and half or cream
Blend on medium (or a similar setting) until well mixed
Adjust consistency with more ice cream if needed (or add ice cubes to thicken, or a small amount of milk or cream to thin)
Enjoy!
Notes
This drink has a lot of variations to replace the vodka, including cognac, brandy, and even rum. Just use your favorite spirit, or feel free to omit it for a weaker drink
Any chocolate liquor can be swapped in for the creme de cacao, and substituting a coffee liquor such as Kahlua or Tia Maria is another common option (or you could do half chocolate half coffee if you like)!
For the triple sec, feel free to use another orange liquor, such as Cointreau or O3 (but it doesn’t have to be expensive to taste good in this drink)!
Ice cream variation: Swap 1-2 cups of vanilla ice cream in place of the half and half or cream, and blend in a blender
While grenadine is optional, you’ll need it to make the drink pink. Without it, it’s more orange or amber in color (so adjust based on season, occasion, and preference)
You may scale this recipe for parties and mix everything (excluding ice) ahead of time in a pitcher. Store in the refrigerator, then give it a stir and pour into individual glasses with ice for serving
The velvet hammer can be served in a wide variety of glasses. Rocks or old fashioned glasses are common, but coupe, stemless wine glasses, cognac glasses, or juice glasses are other good options. You can also serve it in a hollow chocolate bunny for Easter!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, whether you make it a drink or shake, any garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only