Chocolate milkshake in a tall glass with a green and white paper straw, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Why you’ll love this boozy black cow drink

A thought popped into my head the other day, one of me at the age of 15, working at a local frozen custard shop. They had a milkshake on the menu called a black cow. It was a smooth, blended version of a rootbeer float with chocolate ice cream, I loved root beer floats but I had never tried one like this before. And I loved it.

So naturally, as an adult I knew I just had to make one with booze, of course! We just happened to have a 2-liter of root beer in the pantry, leftover from the holidays, so I grabbed the blender and boy was the result good!

If you like this recipe, you have to try this pink squirrel, and this frozen watermelon moscow mule and this pina colada smoothie. We recently tried a boozy shamrock shake, and it was spot on!

A milkshake in a tall glass, with the top ¼ left empty for whipped cream.

Ingredient notes:

  • Kahlua – Any type of coffee liqueur would do for this recipe, we usually opt for Kahlua.
  • Vegan chocolate ice cream – You should use your favorite dairy free or plant based chocolate ice cream.
  • Dairy free whipped topping – Use your favorite whipped cream alternative to top this blended drink.

Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

Overhead photo of a drink topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to make a boozy black cow drink

Scoop. Fill a blender with a large scoop of chocolate ice cream, then pour in the rootbeer and Kahlua.

Blend. Blend on high speed until the contents are smooth and everything is well blended. Transfer to chilled glasses and top with dairy free whipped cream. And serve it with a cherry on top!

More frozen drink recipes: frozen sangria wine slushies / Miami Vice cocktail / beer float / Jack Frost cocktail / cantaloupe margarita

A boozy black cow drink topped with dairy free whipped cream and a cherry.

Frequently asked questions

What is a black cow drink?

It was basically a blended root beer float. And, after doing a significant amount of online reading for no reason really, I found out that black cow and brown cow are used in a number of ways and can refer to root beer floats, chocolate root beer floats, blended drinks, etc, etc. You get the idea. It depends on where you live.

Why is it called a black cow?

Legend has it that the idea was created near Colorado’s Cow mountain. Supposedly the creator thought the clouds and the mountains looked like ice cream floating in soda and it inspired him!

What is in THIS black cow milkshake?

Chocolate ice cream, rootbeer, and Kaluha.

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Boozy Black Cow Drink

By: Melissa Belanger
Chocolate ice cream, rootbeer, and Kaluha; all delicious by themselves but blended together you get a creamy, frothy, boozy, and delicious frozen treat. What could be better than that? A dairy free version!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
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Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 ounces Kaluha
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup root beer
  • 1 large scoop vegan chocolate ice cream
  • Dairy free whipped cream
  • Maraschino cherry

Instructions 

  • Add Kaluha, root beer and ice cream to a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour milkshake into a chilled glass and top with dairy free whipped cream and a cherry.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 0.3mg, Sodium: 12mg, Fiber: 0.01g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin C: 0.01mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Hi! I'm Melissa.

I create easy, dairy free recipes because I know how hard living without milk can be. I believe you can live a completely satisfying life without dairy, and I want to teach you how.

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26 Comments

  1. Carla S says:

    I would make peppermint pie first.

    1. Melissa Belanger says:

      Yum! What’s in peppermint pie? I’ve never had it before, but it sounds great!

  2. Brenda Haines says:

    I would make a snickerdoodle chess pie first. Thanks for the chance!

  3. Kari B says:

    S’more cookies, they look amazing!

  4. April V says:

    I would love a stand mixer & would make my grandmothers pound cake recipe!

  5. Jessica says:

    Hmm I don’t know what I’d make first would just be happy to know I had a nice hand mixer in my cupboard 🙂

  6. Lucy Montgomery says:

    I would love a hand mixer! I would use it to make the icing for a Texas Sheet cake.

  7. Barb in kazoo says:

    Great idea. I may have all the ingredients.

  8. David says:

    I don’t have a stand mixer, so that would be my choice, but my hand mixer is old enough that it could stand to be replaced. The first thing I would make is dough, because those dough hooks would do the kneading for me.

  9. Eileen says:

    The milkshake sounds fantastic! I can’t decide between the stand and hand mixers!

  10. HS says:

    I would like a stand mixer . The first thing I’ll make is pecan pie.