Velvet Hammer Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Velvet Hammer sits firmly in the creamy, after-dinner cocktail family: a smooth, spirit-forward sipper that leans into dessert flavours without losing its kick. You’ll find it in the same mid‑century orbit as other sweet, dairy-based drinks that favour simplicity and comfort—built around a clean base spirit, a chocolate liqueur, and a softening splash of cream. Its appeal is straightforward: it’s indulgent, familiar, and designed to feel plush from the first sip.
Expect vodka to keep the profile crisp and uncluttered, letting the crème de cacao take centre stage with its chocolate sweetness. The half and half rounds everything out, turning the cacao into something more like a silky chocolate cream note rather than a sharp liqueur edge. Together, the three ingredients balance sweetness and strength, with a lingering cocoa finish and a smooth, velvety texture.
Serve it when you want a dessert-style drink that still reads “cocktail,” especially after dinner or as a nightcap. If you like creamy classics and chocolate-forward flavours, this is an easy win—rich enough to feel like a treat, yet clean enough to avoid being cloying. In a cocktail glass, it also brings a touch of retro elegance to low-key evenings and cosy celebrations.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Vodka leads with a clean, firm kick wrapped in crème de cacao’s milk-chocolate sweetness, while half-and-half turns it into a thick, velvety sip that coats the palate like boozy cocoa cream. It works because the neutral vodka keeps the cacao from becoming cloying and the dairy softens the alcohol edge; ideal for dessert-cocktail fans who want creamy richness with real spirit presence.
Method
How to make a Velvet Hammer
- Vodka 60ml, Creme de cacao 30ml, Half and half 30ml
-
- Add all ingredients together with ice to a cocktail shaker and shake well
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Velvet Hammer with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
How do I properly shake the Velvet Hammer cocktail to achieve the best texture and temperature?
To achieve the best texture and temperature for the Velvet Hammer, fill a shaker with ice, add the vodka, Creme De Cacao, and Half And Half, and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This technique ensures the cocktail is thoroughly chilled and slightly aerated, giving it a pleasing texture.
What is the best way to serve the Velvet Hammer to enhance its flavors and presentation?
The best way to serve the Velvet Hammer is in a chilled cocktail glass. Optionally, garnish with a light dusting of grated nutmeg or a twist of orange peel on the rim to enhance its flavors and visual appeal.
Can I substitute the Creme De Cacao in a Velvet Hammer, and what would be a good alternative?
Yes, you can substitute Creme De Cacao with a similar chocolate liqueur or chocolate syrup for a non-alcoholic version. While the taste may differ slightly, these substitutions can still provide the desired chocolate flavor profile.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Velvet Hammer, and how can I make it?
Yes, a non-alcoholic version of the Velvet Hammer can be made by substituting vodka with sparkling water or a non-alcoholic spirit alternative, and using chocolate syrup instead of Creme De Cacao. Maintain the Half And Half proportion to achieve a similar creaminess and flavor.
How does the alcohol content of the Velvet Hammer compare to that of other creamy cocktails?
The Velvet Hammer has an alcohol content of 23.75%, which is relatively moderate for creamy cocktails. For comparison, a White Russian, another popular creamy cocktail, typically has an alcohol content around 20-24%, making the Velvet Hammer's alcohol content fairly typical for the category.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this robust mix of spirits and cola
Long Island Iced Tea
Ron blanco, Vodka, Tequila blanco, Ginebra, Cointreau, Azúcar / jarabe simple, Jugo de limón, Cola
Dive into this vibrant watermelon and vodka fusion.
Watermelon Fruitini
Vodka, Sugar / simple syrup, Watermelon
Try this flirty blend of pineapple, vodka, and bubbles.
Flirtini
Vodka, Champagne / prosecco, Pineapple juice
Dive into this playful citrus and melon mix
Ghostbuster
Vodka, Licor de melón, Jugo de piña, Jugo de naranja
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we'll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we'll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments