We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The next time you’re looking to knock yourself out but wishing it could be painless, try a Velvet Hammer. This delicious drink packs more alcohol than you’d think, given its smooth, sweet, creamy taste.

What the Velvet Hammer tastes like

Have you ever had a mocha latte with orange syrup? If so, that gives you some idea of the kind of deliciousness you’re in for with the Velvet Hammer.

This drink might initially put you in mind of the White Russian. It looks like what happens when you stir that drink up.  Or you might think of the B52 shot. Both drinks have coffee and orange liqueurs with a creamy ingredient.

But this drink is more sophisticated than that. It blends cognac and cream with Tia Maria, creme de cacao and Cointreau.

And the result is wonderfully orange and chocolate. But unlike the B-52, it has a hard liquor in it. That makes all the difference.

The cognac and cream together really take the Velvet Hammer to the next level. Cognac is subtle, with notes like vanilla, caramel and fruit.

And cream mixed with cognac becomes a little bit like Irish cream, only more… cognac. Cognac has less burn than whiskey and the overall taste is a little sweeter.

And then to that, this drink recipe adds Tia Maria, creme de cacao and Cointreau. Tia Maria gives you a flavor like sweetened espresso. Creme de cacao is chocolatey. Cointreau has a mild orange taste that’s not too intense.

The Velvet Hammer has no sharp edges. It doesn’t have any strange flavors for you to get used to. You’re immediately so impressed with the flavor that you can’t wait for a second taste.

The orange is what comes through first, and most strongly. But then you get the chocolate and coffee. And the cognac adds a special… well, it’s cognac.

Oh, that Cognac

Cognac has similar notes to whiskey, but it’s a little bit more sweet. It has more fruity notes than whiskey, and also a more intense flavor. It’s one of the most enjoyable spirits to drink neat or with ice.

And for a cocktail, you don’t need to fork out a lot of money. A $40 bottle of VS or VSPO cognac will do. That’s all you need to make a cocktail delicious. Save the good stuff for later and drink it without mixers.

The Velvet Hammer is one delicious drink. But you can’t miss the kick. The alcohol level is strong, and you do taste it. It just gets lost in the overall flavors of the drink.

And the cream mellows the whole flavor. It also gives the drink a wonderful texture. Heavy cream adds a touch of silky texture to this cocktail. 

In fact, it’s the creaminess that makes it a real treat. Without the cream, this drink would be very intense – and pure alcohol. With it, it has a heavenly richness.

The Velvet Hammer is a great choice as a nightcap or a light dessert drink. It also tends to go over very well at parties.

You can easily make a big batch of these in advance. Then you can serve guests out of a pitcher. You can top off as needed, too. 

You’ll want to shake this drink thoroughly because of the heavy cream. That will give it a nice frothy effect. When you first pour a glass, you should see at least a few bubbles.

There’s nothing quite like a Velvet Hammer. If you love this drink, try the Brandy Alexander. It has that same combination of brandy with sweet liqueur.

Also try the Cafe D’Amour. It blends coffee with cognac, lemon and sugar. 

There’s also the East India cocktail. It blends cognac with rum, orange liqueur and pineapple juice. That makes a treat that’s slightly tropical, but also slightly mysterious.

Enjoy the post? Why not share it?