I really enjoy trying out new cocktails, especially when they bring together classic flavors I already love. The Chocolate Rum Delight cocktail is one of those easy recipes that pairs smooth chocolate with the deep, rich taste of rum.
You don’t need a bunch of fancy ingredients or bar tricks to pull this off at home. Seriously, it’s simple and totally doable even if you’re not a pro.
When I’m craving something sweet after dinner, this is my go-to. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and the rum gives it just the right amount of kick.
With a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a treat that feels special but isn’t a hassle to make. If you’re curious about nutrition… well, it’s definitely a treat, but honestly, it’s worth it.
Let’s get into the equipment, ingredients, and steps to shake up this drink at home.
Chocolate Rum Delight Cocktail Recipe
I make the Chocolate Rum Delight Cocktail when I want something sweet and creamy—perfect for dessert or a late-night sip. It’s a nice balance of chocolate, rum, and cream, and honestly, it’s super easy to throw together.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I use this to blend everything until it’s smooth and cold.
- Jigger or measuring spoons: These help me get the pours just right.
- Old-fashioned glass: This short glass is my pick for serving over ice.
- Bar spoon: For stirring in those last touches or adding a garnish.
- Strainer: Keeps the ice out when pouring from the shaker.
- Microplane or grater (optional): If you want to get fancy with chocolate shavings.
- Ice cubes: Gotta have these for chilling and serving.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz dark rum or spiced rum if you want a bolder flavor
- 1 oz chocolate rum or chocolate liqueur (crème de cacao or Godiva work well)
- 1 oz Irish cream (Bailey’s is classic)
- ½ oz simple syrup or honey for a bit of sweetness
- 1 oz milk or heavy cream for that smooth texture
- Ice cubes for shaking and serving
- Chocolate syrup (drizzle inside the glass for extra flair)
- Optional garnishes: Whipped cream, cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, salted caramel, or a dusting of cocoa
- Optional: ¼ oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) or a splash of espresso if you want a mocha vibe
- Substitutes: White rum or bourbon instead of dark rum, or swap Irish cream for coffee liqueur
Instructions
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside your old-fashioned glass. It looks cool and adds flavor.
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. This chills everything down.
- Pour in the dark rum, chocolate rum, Irish cream, and simple syrup.
- Add milk or heavy cream. Sometimes I’ll throw in a splash of espresso if I’m in the mood for a coffee twist.
- Shake for about 15 seconds. You want it really cold and a little frothy.
- Strain into your glass over fresh ice.
- Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder. Go wild with the toppings if you want.
- Optional: Drizzle salted caramel or honey on top, or a little cinnamon. Why not?
Notes
If you’re after a stronger cocktail, add a float of 151 proof rum or use less cream. Heavy cream makes it extra rich, but milk lightens things up a bit.
Irish cream and coffee liqueur both work, so I just use whatever’s in the cabinet. For more of a dessert feel, I double up on whipped cream or pile on the chocolate.
I’ve even tried a splash of orange juice once for a hint of fruit—actually not bad. Swapping in honey for simple syrup changes the sweetness just enough.
Want it booze-free? Skip the rum and use chocolate milk with a little cocoa powder. It’s not quite the same but still tasty.
Serve this right after mixing for the best creamy texture and fresh taste.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Old fashioned glass
- Bar spoon
- Strainer
- Microplane or grater (optional)
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- 1½ oz dark rum or spiced rum for bolder flavor
- 1 oz chocolate rum or chocolate liqueur e.g., crème de cacao or Godiva
- 1 oz Irish cream e.g., Baileys
- ½ oz simple syrup or honey
- 1 oz milk or heavy cream
- Ice cubes for shaking and serving
- 1 tbsp chocolate syrup to drizzle inside the glass
Optional Garnishes:
- Whipped cream
- Cocoa powder or cinnamon
- Chocolate shavings
- Salted caramel drizzle
Optional Add-ins:
- ¼ oz coffee liqueur or a splash of espresso for mocha flavor
Instructions
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside your old-fashioned glass for flair and flavor.
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add dark rum, chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, simple syrup (or honey), and milk or cream.
- Optional: Add coffee liqueur or espresso if desired.
- Shake well (about 15 seconds) until chilled and slightly frothy.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, cinnamon, or caramel drizzle.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tasting Notes
That first sip? The chocolate hits you right away—rich and smooth. It’s sweet, but not over the top, so the rum still gets its moment.
There’s a gentle warmth from the alcohol. Not too strong, but you definitely notice it.
The nutmeg on top adds a soft, spicy aroma. It’s a small detail, but it really balances out the sweetness.
Key Tasting Points
| Element | Taste/Impression |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | Creamy, sweet, comforting |
| Rum | Warm, slightly sharp |
| Nutmeg | Slight spice, aromatic |
| Sweetness | Medium-high, not cloying |
| Alcohol Content | Noticeable, but smooth |
Each sip is creamy, almost like dessert, but you still get that classic rum cocktail vibe. Mixology just ties everything together—smooth chocolate and warm rum flavors in every sip.
I love that the rum’s character isn’t lost in all the sweetness. The nutmeg, even with just a sprinkle, really does make a difference in both the smell and the taste.
Must Have Ingredients
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
 | Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
 | WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
 | Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
 | Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
 | Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
 | Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
 | 1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
 | Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Substitute
Sometimes I open the fridge and realize I’m missing an ingredient or two. No big deal—here are a few swaps I like for this cocktail.
If I don’t have dark rum, I use:
- Spiced rum adds a cozy warmth
- Light rum if I want something a bit more mellow
- Coffee liqueur, which gives it a deeper, richer vibe
For the chocolate liqueur, I’ve tried:
- Chocolate syrup mixed with a splash of cream
- Crème de cacao (it’s not as sweet, so I’ll toss in a little sugar)
- Chocolate-flavored vodka, if that’s hanging around
When I’m out of heavy cream, I’ll reach for:
- Half-and-half—it’s not as thick, but it works
- Non-dairy creamer like almond or oat; honestly, both are pretty good
- Whole milk, which is lighter, though still tasty enough
Quick Substitute Table
| Original Ingredient | Substitute |
|---|---|
| Dark rum | Spiced rum, light rum |
| Chocolate liqueur | Chocolate syrup + cream, crème de cacao, chocolate vodka |
| Heavy cream | Half-and-half, non-dairy creamer, whole milk |
If I’m out of ice cream and want that creamy twist, I’ll just use frozen yogurt or even blend up some ice cubes with milk.
It’s not exactly the same, but it gets pretty close.
Honestly, these little swaps make it easy to enjoy my Chocolate Rum Delight, even when my kitchen isn’t fully stocked.
