You are going to love this creamy, cherry-flavored cocktail! It reminds me of a cherry version of the Grasshopper. It’s one of the best dessert cocktails I have ever tried. The name Pink Squirrel comes from its pink color.

The Pink Squirrel cocktail recipe was created at Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge by Bryant Sharp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the 1940s. Let’s learn to make a Pink Squirrel, shall we?

Related: White Russian, Mudslide, Brandy Alexander, Italian Soda.

Ingredients

• Crème De Noyaux – This almond-flavored liqueur is made from apricot or peach kernels or cherry pits. This liqueur is similar to amaretto with a reddish color that gives the Pink Squirrel its pink color.
• White Crème De Cacao – For this recipe, you will use white (or clear) Cream De Cacao as the dark version wouldn’t work for the pale pink color.
• Heavy Cream – Gives this cocktail a super creamy finish.
• Nutmeg – Fresh ground nutmeg is best. You can typically find whole nutmeg in the spice section of the grocery store.
• Maraschino Cherries – Are an optional garnish.

Equipment Needed: The best glassware option for this cocktail is a martini glass or a coupe glass. You will also need a cocktail shaker.

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the creme de noyaux, white cream de cacao and heavy cream.

Shake for 10-15 seconds or until the shaker feels well chilled.

Strain and pour into a coupe glass.

Garnish with some maraschino cherries and a sprinkling of fresh ground nutmeg.

Tips for Making

• Cream De Noyaux Substitution – This ingredient can be tricky to find. I had to order mine as no local stores carried it. You can substitute cream de noyaux with amaretto. That will give you a flavor that is similar, but you will be missing the pink color. To add the pink color in, you can use a drop of food coloring or a half ounce of pomegranate juice.
• Garnish Ideas – The Pink Squirrel is typically garnished with fresh nutmeg and maraschino cherries. Some other fun ideas are a pink sprinkled rim, adding whipped cream to the drink as a topping or adding a pink candy (or a cocktail skewer with several candies) to the top of the drink.
• Pink Squirrel Milkshake – Turn the Pink Squirrel into a frozen cocktail! In a blender, combine 2 tablespoons creme de noyaux, 2 tablespoons white creme de cacao and 2 cups vanilla ice cream. Top with whipping cream, fresh nutmeg and a maraschino cherry.
• Pink Squirrel Float – Mix 2 tablespoons creme de noyaux and 2 tablespoons white creme de cacao in a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass. Top with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg and a cherry.

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