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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Tia Maria Cocktails

    Published: Dec 14, 2020 · Updated: Feb 8, 2021 · Post may contain affiliate links

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    two wine glasses with coffee cocktails with bottles of alcohol with text overlay that reads tia maria cocktails

    Tia Maria cocktails are a rich and creamy after-dinner drink that are easy to prepare and can be made in advance. This drinkable dessert that everyone loves is great for entertaining and for the holiday season.

    two wine glasses with coffee ice cream drinks, bottles of brandy and Tia Maria, on white and gold napkins, with Christmas cookies
    • About Tia Maria Cocktails
      • Ingredients
        • Cost
    • How to Make Tia Maria Cocktails
    • Tips for Making Tia Marias
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • How to Make Allergy Friendly
        • Alternative Prep & Cooking
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Nutrition benefits
      • What to serve with Cocktails with Tia Maria

    About Tia Maria Cocktails

    If you've ever wondered how to drink Tia Maria, you will want to try these! Tia Maria Cocktails are fabulous after-dinner drinks and are a great substitute for dessert. They are basically a boozy milkshake, or in other words, a drinkable dessert that everyone (of drinking age) loves.

    My dad makes these for dessert after our Christmas lunch every year, but they are great to serve anytime of the year. Luckily, they are so rich and I am full enough that I only have room for one. Otherwise, I’d be napping the rest of Christmas Day.

    Because the only ingredients are ice cream, coffee liqueur, and brandy, they are easy to make but also pretty intense. You're likely going to only need a small glass to feel satisfied. No need to search Tia Maria how to drink, you've now figured out how! (Also, check out the FAQs below for more ideas).

    Note: even though you use ice cream to make it, it is not a frozen drink. See the variation tips below or the recipe card for tips on how to turn this into a frozen drink.

    coffee ice cream, brandy, Tia Maria with text describing each on top

    Ingredients

    Tia Maria: The coffee liqueur used for this drink is Tia Maria (obviously haha), hence the name. You could use another coffee liqueur if that is what you have on hand though.

    Brandy: Any brandy is fine. I don't think it's necessary to spend a lot of money on the brandy since the coffee flavors from the ice cream and Tia Maria will be the most prominent. I'm not a brandy connoisseur, so I just buy whatever specifically says "Brandy" on the label (you can see the brand I use in the photo). You can use whatever you have on hand or like to buy.

    Quick note on brandy: cognac is a specific type of brandy (like Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine), so that can be used in this cocktail.

    Ice Cream: Honestly, any ice cream you like will be good. We prefer coffee ice cream because it goes well with the coffee liquor, but you could also use chocolate ice cream. Because you are drinking this, I don't recommend using very rich ice cream. Otherwise, your drink might be too rich, as it's already a very rich drink.

    Cost

    • coffee ice cream 48 ounces: $4.99
    • Tia Maria coffee liqueur 4 ounces: $5.76
    • Brandy 6 ounces: $3.36

    TOTAL COST: $14.11 or $1.76/serving (Based on San Diego grocery store 2020)

    collage of ice cream and alcohol; blending the ice cream, Tia Maria, and brandy; overhead looking into the blender; two wine glasses with cocktails

    How to Make Tia Maria Cocktails

    Time needed: 5 minutes

    It could not be easier to make these... You just everything into a blender and blend. Here are the steps with photos for exactly how to make Tia Maria Cocktails.

    1. Add the ice cream, Tia Maria, and brandy to a blender.

    2. Blend.

    3. Taste and add more Tia Maria or brandy, if desired.

      You can also add coffee or milk.

    4. Serve, and enjoy!

      two cream-colored cocktails in wine glasses on white and gold napkin next to cookies and bottles of brandy and coffee liqueur

    Tips for Making Tia Marias

    The recipe calls for the amount of alcohol I prefer, but feel free to adjust as desired. If you like less intense drinks, cut the amounts in half and add as much as needed. Remember that cocktails are a lot about personal preference, so don't be afraid to change it to meet your needs.

    Variations

    This is not a frozen drink. It's more of a super creamy drink. If you want to make this a frozen drink (like a Bushwacker), you can add 4 cups of ice with the ice cream and alcohol. This will also make your drink have more volume, so serving sizes will be larger.

    Ingredient Options

    Ice cream: Use chocolate ice cream for a mocha Tia Maria cocktail or use vanilla for a less pronounced coffee flavor.

    two glasses with ice cream drink sprinkled with cinnamon on a floral napkin with empty container of coffee ice cream, and bottles of tia maria and brandy

    How to Make Allergy Friendly

    This is already gluten-free. Check your ice cream ingredients list to see if it is egg-free and/or soy-free. Use a dairy-free ice cream for a dairy-free drink.

    Alternative Prep & Cooking

    If you don't have a blender, let the ice cream thaw completely in the fridge (should take about 12-24 hours). Then whisk in the alcohol until completely incorporated.

    You can also use a food processor or stand mixer in place of the blender if desired.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    It's pretty hard to make a mistake in these drinks, but here a few possible scenarios that you'd need to change when preparing/serving.

    Not strong enough: Add extra brandy (by the ounce) until it is as strong as you like it. You can also add a little extra Tia Maria, but it will make the drinks sweeter and doesn't have a strong alcohol taste like brandy does.

    Too sweet: If you find these too sweet, add extra brandy (by the ounce). Or you can add milk or cold, unsweetened coffee in ½ cup increments.

    Too thick or rich: Add milk or cold coffee in ½ cup increments to thin. You can also serve over ice to help thin these a little.

    two wine glasses with cream colored coffee drinks on white counter with white and gold napkins plus Christmas cookies with green and red sprinkles and bottles of alcohol

    Make Ahead Ideas

    These can be made ahead of time for up to 24 hours and kept in the fridge. You can also store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks, but you'll need to thaw in the fridge overnight. In fact, my dad does this every year so he doesn't have to bother with the blender after we enjoy our Christmas meal.

    Storage Suggestions

    Keep these in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. They keep for up to 2 weeks in the freezer and up to 2 days in the fridge. Be sure to store in an airtight container, so it doesn't absorb any flavors from the fridge or freezer which can negatively alter the taste of your Tia Maria Cocktails.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Tia Maria?

    Tia Maria is a Jamaican coffee liqueur made from a blend of Jamaican rum, Arabica coffee beans and Madagascar vanilla.

    How to drink Tia Maria?

    Tia Maria can be enjoyed in cocktails like these ice cream-based drinks or White Russians. You can sip it over ice by itself or mix it with coke, sparkling water, or tonic water. Also, it's great for espresso martinis or mixed into coffee.

    What does Tia Maria taste like?

    It has a strong, sweet coffee and vanilla flavor. The alcohol flavor is very minimal.

    What's the difference between Kahlúa and Tia Maria?

    Kahlúa is a coffee liqueur made in Veracruz, Mexico. Tia Maria is a coffee liqueur made using Jamaican rum coffee beans (though it is now made in Italy). Tia Maria is a little thinner with a stronger coffee flavor, and Kahlúa is a little thicker and sweeter.

    empty ice cream container, bottle of brandy, blender with ice cream drink, bottle of coffee liqueur on white counter

    Nutrition benefits

    Let's be real... there aren't a ton of "nutrition benefits" to an ice cream-based cocktail. But I don't think we should be eating based solely on the nutrition facts of foods.

    This Tia Maria cocktail brings me happy memories of Christmas lunches with my family from even before I drank them... I always think about the crystal glasses the Tia Maria drinks were served in while listening to stories from my grandmother May May who is no longer here.

    However, they are pretty high in calcium (27% RDA), Vitamin A (15%), and protein (8 grams) for a cocktail or dessert.

    What to serve with Cocktails with Tia Maria

    Well, you definitely need to eat a meal with these so you aren't too tipsy after drinking, so check out any of the main meal recipes. Or as you can see in the photo, I added some soft gingersnap cookies with these drinks for an extra special dessert.

    Final thoughts:

    Tia Maria cocktails are one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I think you'll love them too. You can serve these as an after-dinner drink at parties and use them as a substitute for dessert. They are delicious!

    wine glasses with thick drinks, Christmas cookies, green sprinkles, bottles of brandy and tia maria

    MORE BOOZY DRINK RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Bourbon Hot Chocolate
    • Bushwackers
    • Yellow Hammer Drink
    • Mango Pineapple Boozy Popsicles
    • Piña Colada with coconut milk
    • Valentine's Day Gin Cocktail

    two wine glasses with coffee ice cream drinks, bottles of brandy and Tia Maria, on white and gold napkins, with Christmas cookies

    Tia Maria Cocktails

    Tia Maria cocktails are a rich and creamy after-dinner drink that are easy to prepare and can be made in advance. This drinkable dessert that everyone loves is great for entertaining and for the holiday season.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $14.11 or $1.76/serving

    Ingredients

    • 48 ounce coffee ice cream softened
    • 4 ounces Tia Maria coffee liqueur
    • 6 ounces brandy
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Add the ice cream to a blender. Top with coffee liqueur and brandy.
    • Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *Leave the ice cream in the fridge for a few hours or on the counter for about 30 minutes for softened ice cream
    *This makes about 34 ounces total.
    *This is not a frozen drink. It's more of a super creamy drink. If you want to make this a frozen drink, you can add 4 cups of ice with the ice cream and alcohol. This will also make your drink have more volume, so serving sizes will be larger.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    Blender
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    [showhide type="post" more_text="Click here for Tia Maria Cocktails Nutrition Facts" less_text="Clear Nutrition Facts"]
    *

    Nutrition Facts
    Tia Maria Cocktails
    Serving Size
     
    4 ounces
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    404
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    8
    g
    12
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    31
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    46
    mg
    15
    %
    Sodium
     
    127
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    354
    mg
    10
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    57
    g
    19
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    44
    g
    49
    %
    Protein
     
    8
    g
    16
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    762
    IU
    15
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    274
    mg
    27
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *
    [/showhide]

    Meme

    This post was originally published on December 22, 2017. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

    Doesn't this recipe look good?! You should probably share it:

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Holly Marie Pelton

      December 05, 2018 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      Didnt know what this was until I looked at the recipe but I love coffee so of course I had to try it, and with no disappointment! It was delicious

      Reply
    2. Lindsey

      December 09, 2018 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      These look SO good! Pinning to enjoy after the baby gets here!

      Reply
    3. Tawnie Kroll

      December 09, 2018 at 10:11 am

      5 stars
      I found my new favorite drink!!!! Obsessed with this recipe thank you!

      Reply
    4. Lorie

      December 09, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      5 stars
      This is going to be our Christmas after dinner drink by the fire. Why have I never had one of these??

      Reply
    5. Natalie

      December 10, 2018 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      Anything with coffee and ice cream is right up my alley~

      Reply
    6. Emily Kyle

      December 10, 2018 at 11:14 am

      5 stars
      A milkshake and booze in one glass!? You know the way to my heart!

      Reply
    7. Liz Shaw

      December 10, 2018 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      These look classic and elegant! I will definitely wow family for the holidays with these!

      Reply
    8. Branch

      April 27, 2025 at 3:36 pm

      5 stars
      Okay, I know this is technically for the holidays, but Imma need to make this tonight

      Reply
      • Meme

        April 28, 2025 at 9:37 pm

        Tia Maria cocktails can be enjoyed any time of year! Yay!

        Reply
    5 from 11 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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