When the temperatures drop, I love to treat everyone to a Snowball cocktail after a delicious dinner. It’s decadent, creamy and such a fabulous indulgence.

This is a fresh spin on the classic snowball cocktail, and this one is made with amaretto. The slight bitterness of the almond amaretto flavor combined with sweet ice cream is the perfect pairing in this snowball recipe.

Learn how to make this amaretto liqueur dessert cocktail with just a few simple ingredients.

An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, on a marble countertop.
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I may be an adult, but I still enjoy ending any meal with a sweet treat. A Snowball cocktail is the perfect way to share my love of dessert!

Ice cream cocktails aren’t just for warm weather months. I enjoy sharing a snowball drink by the fire when the cool weather settles in.

A snowball cocktail is historically a creamy drink that tastes like a custard with a kick. Served in the cooler weather months and on holidays, Snowball cocktails are often made with lime juice or lemonade and Advocaat, a Dutch version of eggnog.

You’re never too old for a snowball fight, OR a snowball cocktail. Let’s learn how to make one!

An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, garnished with a toasted marshmallow, on a marble countertop.

Snowball Cocktail

This snowball recipe is made with ice cream and amaretto, which provides a slightly bitter, but sweet kick with the smoothness of ice cream and vanilla.

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Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • Easy to Make
  • So Refreshing
  • Fun for Winter
  • Great for Entertaining

What is Amaretto Liqueur?

Amaretto is an almond flavored Italian liqueur thought to have originated in Saronno, Italy. One of the best selling amaretto brands is Disaronno Originale Amaretto, available at many grocery and liquor stores.

Amaretto liqueur has a slightly bitter, nutty flavor mixed with vanilla that pairs perfectly with the ice cream in this snowball recipe. Amaretto is used in a variety of cocktails and mixed drinks.

It is considered a must-have ingredient in every well stocked bar. If you love an amaretto sour, you’ll love this amazing snowball cocktail!

Fun fact: It tastes like almonds, but most amaretto actually gets its flavor from apricot kernels, or pits.

An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, on a marble countertop.

Shopping List

  • Amaretto (A sweet Italian liqueur with an almond flavor.)
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Milk
  • Marshmallow (Toasted for the cutest garnish.)

copy and paste to add ingredients to your grocery list

An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, garnished with a toasted marshmallow, on a marble countertop.

How to Make

  1. Mix all three ingredients together in your blender until smooth.
  2. Pour into sugar rimmed glass to serve.

Variations

  • Make a snowball stand apart with a rimmed glass. Clear or gold sugar crystals would pair nicely with this sweet treat. Granulated sugar works well in a pinch.
  • Crushed pecans on the rim would be savory and delicious. Crushed sugar cookies would make an excellent pairing with the vanilla in the ice cream and amaretto. To finely chop cookies, use a food processor

How to Rim a Cocktail Glass

  1. Pour a small amount of simple syrup onto a small plate or saucer. (Maple syrup would work as well depending on what you were using on your rim.)
  2. Next, pour a small amount of your rimming dust onto another small plate or saucer.
  3. Dip your empty drink glass first into the maple syrup, then in your rimming sugar or crushed cookies.
  4. Add the Snowball mixture and serve.
An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, on a marble countertop.

Toasting a Marshmallow for Cocktails

It’s so much fun to add a toasted marshmallow to this cocktail to complete your theme. There are several ways to accomplish this – it doesn’t have to be the traditional old school marshmallow roast! A few ideas:

  • Simply roast the marshmallows on a stick over your fire.
  • If your get-together is sans fire, simply turn on a gas stove burner and carefully roast your marshmallow over the small flame. Roast until marshmallows are lightly browned.
  • Roast marshmallows in the oven by covering a cookie sheet with tin foil and placing under a broiler for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to watch marshmallows as they brown quickly!

As with any use of fire or the stove, use caution. Make sure clothing and hair is away from the flame and water readily available if needed.

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Tips

  • Print my free measurement conversion chart or use the yield tab in the printable recipe card. You’ll be making multiples in seconds!
  • Make this snowball cocktail ahead of time and freeze! The alcohol in the amaretto will keep the entire mixture soft – and prevent those pesky ice crystals from forming.
  • Rim your glasses and set them aside to make serving faster.
  • Spoon or pour the frozen cocktail concoction into glasses and serve immediately to enjoy the smooth and refreshing amaretto flavor of this snowball cocktail recipe.
An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, on a marble countertop.

Serving Suggestions

Add a sprinkle of this or a dollop of that to personalize these snowball cocktails!

An ice cream and amaretto snowball cocktail in a stemmed glass, garnished with a toasted marshmallow, on a marble countertop.

Enjoy! What cocktails are you planning to make for the holidays this year?

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A snowball cocktail, adorned with whipped cream and walnuts, offers a delightful white drink experience.
5 from 11 votes

Snowball Cocktail Recipe

The amaretto flavor of this snowball cocktail, combined with sweet ice cream is the perfect pairing. Learn how to make this almond-flavored dessert cocktail with a few simple ingredients.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
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Ingredients  

  • ounces Amaretto Liqueur
  • ounces milk
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 1 marshmallow (optional) toasted, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Mix Amaretto, milk and vanilla ice cream together in your blender, pulsing until smooth.
  • Pour into sugar rimmed glass to serve.

Julie’s Tips

Rim Glass
  1. Pour a small amount of simple syrup onto a small plate or saucer. (Maple syrup would work as well depending on what you were using on your rim.)
  2. Next, pour a small amount of your rimming dust onto another small plate or saucer.
  3. Dip your empty drink glass first into the maple syrup, then in your rimming sugar or crushed cookies.
  4. Add the Snowball mixture and serve.
Toast a Marshmallow for Garnish
  1. If your get-together is sans fire, simply turn on a gas stove burner and carefully roast your marshmallow over the small flame. Roast until marshmallows are lightly browned.
  2. Roast marshmallows in the oven by covering a cookie sheet with tin foil and placing under a broiler for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to watch marshmallows as they brown quickly!
Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Calcium: 217mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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4 Comments

    1. Yay! Thanks for sharing Raven! It’s always a favorite in our family, even for my sister who doesn’t drink enjoys it! Happy New Year!