Winter Swedish Polar Bear Cocktail
A smooth, warming cocktail featuring vodka and cream, perfect for cozy winter evenings with a hint of sweetness. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together vodka, heavy cream, white crème de cacao for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz heavy cream
- 1 oz white crème de cacao
- 1 cup ice cubes
- a pinch (for garnish) grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker with 1 cup ice cubes. Pour in 2 oz vodka, 1 oz heavy cream, and 1 oz white crème de cacao. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly frothy.
- Step 2: Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. The cocktail should appear smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Garnish with a light pinch of freshly grated nutmeg on top for a subtle aromatic finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the velvety texture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Winter Swedish Polar Bear Cocktail take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Winter Swedish Polar Bear Cocktail?
Refrigerate any leftover winter swedish polar bear cocktail in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Winter Swedish Polar Bear Cocktail?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Winter Swedish Polar Bear Cocktail for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Winter Swedish Polar Bear Cocktail?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.