Captain Crunch Cocktail Recipe

Captain Crunch Nutrition Facts

Calories:300

Fat:5g

Protein:2g

Carbohydrates:30g

Alcohol %:20

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: August 23, 2024

History

The Captain Crunch cocktail is a fun and fruity drink that was inspired by the popular breakfast cereal. It's a favorite among those who enjoy sweet, dessert-like cocktails. The drink was created in the late 1990s by a bartender who wanted to create a cocktail that tasted like the cereal. It quickly became a hit and is now served in bars around the world.

How Captain Crunch Tastes?

The Captain Crunch cocktail is sweet, creamy, and fruity. It has a distinct taste of vanilla and berries, with a hint of rum. The drink is smooth and easy to drink, making it a perfect dessert cocktail.

Interesting facts about Captain Crunch

  • The Captain Crunch cocktail was named after the popular breakfast cereal.
  • It's a dessert cocktail, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
  • Despite its sweet taste, it contains a good amount of alcohol, making it a 'sneaky' cocktail.

Ingredients

A few good options for Captain Crunch are:

  • Grey Goose
  • Belvedere
  • Khor
  • Smirnoff

Learn everything on which Vodka to choose

Vanilla Vodka

The use of 1.5 oz balances the strength and sweetness. Vanilla vodka infuses the cocktail with a rich, creamy flavor that's reminiscent of the cereal's milk. Without it, you'd lose that signature flavor. An alternative could be regular vodka with a splash of vanilla extract, but the drink would lack the subtle sweetness.

Mary Mitkina

White Rum

1.5 oz provides the alcohol kick without overpowering the vanilla. It adds complexity and a slightly spicy note. Skipping it would make a more mundane and less nuanced cocktail. You could substitute it with coconut rum for a tropical twist.

Alex Green

Grenadine

1 oz gives a touch of color and a hint of pomegranate sweetness, enhancing the fruity qualities. Too much and you'd drown the other flavors, too little and the drink might taste flat. An alternative could be raspberry syrup, although it’d change the taste profile to be more berry-like.

Emma Rose

Half and Half Cream

With 2 oz, it adds body and smoothness, making the cocktail rich and velvety. Without cream, it'd feel more like a punch. A possible alternative is whole milk for a lighter consistency or plant-based creamers for a vegan option.

Mary Mitkina

Crushed Captain Crunch Cereal

1 tbsp is optimal for garnishing without it being overpowering. It's a playful nod to the namesake cereal and adds a crunchy texture. Omitting it would lose the fun factor, but a cinnamon sugar rim could be a tasty alternative, providing a different spice profile.

Alex Green

Recipe. How to make Captain Crunch Drink

  1. Rim the glass with crushed Captain Crunch cereal.
  2. In a shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, white rum, grenadine, and half and half cream.
  3. Shake well until combined.
  4. Strain the mixture into the rimmed glass.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Pro Tips

  • Make sure to shake the cocktail well to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
  • For a fun twist, you can add a few pieces of Captain Crunch cereal as a garnish.

Perfect Pairings

Appetizers

  • Fruit Skewers: The sweetness of the fruit will complement the creamy and sweet tones of the cocktail.
  • Mini Cheesecakes: Their rich texture and flavor pair nicely with the vanilla notes in the drink.

Desserts

  • Berry Tarts: The tartness of the berries will balance the sweetness of the cocktail.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream: To double down on the creamy vanilla experience.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

  • Cream Soda: Shares creamy and vanilla notes with the cocktail.
  • Sparkling Water: For a refreshing palate cleanser in between sips.

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What you could change in Captain Crunch

  • You can substitute the vanilla vodka with regular vodka and a splash of vanilla extract.
  • If you don't have half and half cream, you can use a combination of milk and heavy cream.

Explore all drinks starting with C here

And of course - twists🍹

Peanut Butter Crunch

  • Add 0.5 oz of peanut butter syrup.
  • Swap grenadine for chocolate liqueur for a peanut butter cup vibe. This version elevates the dessert-like qualities, making it creamier and nuttier.

Berry Blast Captain

  • Use berry flavored vodka instead of vanilla vodka.
  • Rim the glass with crushed Berry Crunch cereal.
  • Garnish with fresh berries. This twist introduces a fruity explosion that contrasts pleasantly with the sweetness of the original recipe.

Tropical Captain

  • Replace white rum with coconut rum.
  • Use pineapple juice instead of grenadine.
  • Top with a splash of club soda for fizz. The tropical version offers a refreshing and zesty take, with coconut and pineapple leading the flavor parade.

In case you forgot basics how to make Captain Crunch

Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.

Learn everything on how to shake

Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.

Learn everything on how to strain

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Frequently Asked Questions on Captain Crunch

Can regular cereal be used instead of Captain Crunch?

The cocktail won't taste the same with regular cereal. Captain Crunch has a unique taste that blends well in this cocktail.

Does the grenadine give the drink its pinkish color?

Yes, the mix of grenadine and white rum gives the Captain Crunch its characteristic color.

Could this be made as a mocktail?

Yes, you could omit the alcohol and substitute it with a combination of non-alcoholic cream and vanilla soda.

What kind of glass would be best to serve this in?

A Hurricane glass or a Highball glass would be perfect to serve this cocktail.

Could I serve it over ice?

Absolutely. Serving this cocktail over ice will make it even more refreshing.

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