If you like horchata, you will love this Vanilla RumChata Milkshake. It’s a fast, easy, 4-ingredient summer dessert that will cool you off on a hot day. I’m always in the mood for a boozy milkshake, and this one is a favorite. If you’re looking for RumChata recipes, you have come to the right place!
It feels like only yesterday that I first shared my love of horchata, as well as a recipe for a homemade version with cardamom. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, horchata is a beverage made from white rice, and it has become one of my favorite special occasion drinks. When Jeff and I visit his family in Tucson, I always make sure to order some at one of the local Mexican restaurants. I can sometimes find it for sale around DC at taco trucks.
I love adding a bit of rum to horchata, so when I first discovered RumChata, it was love at first sight. Was I actually looking at a bottled horchata liqueur? Why yes. Yes I was. I was smitten. It was love at first taste.
My next thought was “what deliciousness can I create around this drink?” I made this sweet RumChata milkshake the very next day.
What does RumChata taste like?
Rumchata has a unique flavor that’s similar to horchata, but my brother also accurately described it as tasting like milk that’s been steeped in Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (with some rum mixed in, obviously). If you like sweet cream-based liqueurs like Bailey’s Irish Cream, you’ll love RumChata.
Recipe Notes
- Ice cream brands and fat content DO make a difference. I prefer using Ben & Jerry’s or Haagen Dazs most of the time. They’re a bit more expensive for a reason. The milkshake will be totally decadent! Don’t use low fat ice cream in a milkshake. Treat yourself.
- That being said, if you’re making milkshakes for a larger group, you can get away with a cheaper ice cream. Don’t make more than 2 servings at a time, since you want the milkshake to stay frozen.
- Use whatever milk or cream you have. Whole versus skim won’t actually make much of a difference here when matched against ice cream and RumChata.
- This will also work with other liqueurs! It’s a great base recipe for boozy milkshakes. Try swapping out the RumChata for Baileys, Kahlua, etc.
Looking For More RumChata Recipes?
Be sure to check out my Dark Chocolate Chunk RumChata Cookies! If you like RumChata, you might also like my Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur!

Vanilla RumChata Milkshake
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup RumChata liqueur, or to taste
- 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream, or as needed
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Puree the ice cream, RumChata and milk in a blender.
- Pour into a serving glass and top liberally with cinnamon.
- Serve immediately!
Video
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Hmm, only 3tbsp Rumchata? Lightweight.
This boozy milkshake was the perfect remedy to this heat wave! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
A client gave us a bottle of this for Christmas and I have been wondering what to do with it as it is so sweet. Milkshakes were about the only thing that came to mind too!
Well yessss!! You had me at boozy milkshake!
Perfect explanation of the taste of Rumchata- the cinnamon toast cruneh flavor is so good! This recipe is amazing!
From blender to glass in a matter of moments… awesome!!!
This is definitely how to do a milkshake right. Yum!
This sounds epic!!!
I want to make Rumchata & Fireball sauce to put over vanilla ice cream and apple pie. Have you made anything like this? I love your milkshake and I hope you can help make this topping. It’s for a special occasion. These guys love RumChata and fireball, so I know if I can make it work it will become a desert standard. Please help if you can. Thanks ~
Hi Vicki! I’m so glad you like the milkshake! I don’t know how to make what you’re describing, but I bet you can find something similar online where you could substitute in the ingredients you’d prefer to use. So maybe try searching for sauces based around some of the more popular creamy liqueurs- Kalua sauce, Bailey’s sauce, etc. And then copy their method and ratios, but play with the ratios to taste. Hope that’s at least somewhat helpful!
It says 6oz of RumChata (1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp) but isn’t 6oz actually 3/4 cup?) Because 8oz is 1 cup., 4oz is 1/2 cup…..so which is right?
Hi Elizabeth! Good catch! I updated this recipe recently and it looks like that line got mixed up. I can’t remember offhand, so I’m going to retest it this week. Sorry for any inconvenience! If you’d like to make it before then, start with the lower amount of Rumchata and add more to taste (2 tablespoons at a time), until you’re happy with the flavors.
Hi Elizabeth! I just wanted to follow up and let you know I retested the recipe, made some adjustments, and edited the ingredients accordingly. Thanks again for letting me know :)
1/4 cup Rumchata per milkshake got me the best flavor, but you can adjust it to taste.