Salted Butterscotch White Russian Fall Cocktail Recipe

Enter the Salted Butterscotch White Russian Cocktail—a sweet, creamy sip that feels like dessert in a glass, with just enough salty spark to make you take notice.

Think indulgent but easy, like a salted caramel latte that’s taken a cocktail vacation. One sip and you’ll understand why this drink is perfect for quiet nights in, dinner parties, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something delicious without fuss.

Last fall, I had a dinner night with friends where we served cozy foods and wanted a drink that felt like dessert in a glass. That’s when I decided to twist a classic White Russian into something sweeter and a little salty—the Salted Butterscotch White Russian Cocktail.

The combination of creamy vodka, coffee liqueur, and butterscotch schnapps instantly reminded me of those caramel-drizzled iced coffees I love. Only this time, it came with a little kick.

This cocktail has the comfort of a fall treat but still feels fun enough for a party. If you’re a fan of drinks with butterscotch schnapps or anything with a salted caramel vibe, you’re going to love this recipe.

What is Butterscotch?

Butterscotch is a sweet, buttery candy flavor made from brown sugar and butter. It has the same cozy notes as caramel but with a slightly richer, deeper taste. In cocktails, butterscotch schnapps is what brings that flavor to life.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

• It tastes like dessert in a glass.
• No fancy equipment needed—just a shaker or spoon.
• Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy dinners, or when you want a sweet nightcap.
• The salted rim makes it taste like a gourmet cocktail without the hassle.

How to Make Salted Butterscotch White Russian?

Recipe Overview

This Salted Butterscotch White Russian Cocktail is a creamy and flavorful butterscotch cocktail recipe that blends coffee liqueur, vanilla vodka, and butterscotch schnapps with heavy cream. Finished with a salted butterscotch rim, it’s smooth, sweet, and slightly salty—perfect for fall cocktail nights.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Cocktail / Drink
• Difficulty: Easy
• Yield: 1 serving
• Calories: ~345 per serving
• Serving Size: 1 glass

Equipment Needed:

• Rocks glass or old-fashioned glass
• Small plate for rim salt
• Bar spoon or cocktail shaker

Salted Butterscotch White Russian Ingredients

For the Cocktail:

• 2 ounces butterscotch schnapps (like DeKuyper’s Buttershots)
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur (Kahlúa is a classic choice)
• 1 ounce vanilla vodka
• 1 ounce heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• Ice cubes

For the Rim:

• Butterscotch sauce (ice cream topping works perfectly)
• Sea salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Pour butterscotch sauce onto a small plate. Dip the rim of your glass into it, then dip into a plate of sea salt. Set aside.

2. Fill with Ice: Add ice cubes to your prepared glass.

3. Mix the Base: Pour in the butterscotch schnapps, coffee liqueur, and vanilla vodka.

4. Add the Cream: Slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon so it gently floats on top. This gives you that beautiful layered effect.

5. Finish: Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg. Stir gently before sipping if you like it blended.

💡 Tip: If you want a perfectly creamy drink right away, shake everything with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into your salted glass.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: ~345
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 9g
• Sugar: 22g
• Alcohol: 22g

Tips and Variations

➤ Swap the Vodka: Plain vodka works if you don’t have vanilla vodka.

➤ Make it Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream or almond milk creamer instead of heavy cream.

➤ Caramel Twist: Use caramel vodka or caramel sauce for the rim for a salted caramel butterscotch vibe.

➤ Boozier Version: Add an extra half-ounce of vodka for a stronger drink.

Serving Suggestions

This drink is perfect as a dessert cocktail. I like serving it with:

• A slice of pumpkin pie
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Salted pretzels for a sweet-salty combo

How to Store Salted Butterscotch Cocktails?

This cocktail is best made fresh. If you want to prep ahead, you can mix the schnapps, vodka, and coffee liqueur in a sealed jar and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Just add the cream and ice when serving.

Storing Tips

Don’t store with ice—the drink will water down. Always add cream right before serving to keep it from separating.

Helpful Tips

• Chill your glass ahead for an extra smooth sip.
• Add extra butterscotch sauce drizzle inside the glass for a sweeter presentation.
• If you’re serving for a party, rim all glasses ahead of time to save prep stress.

This recipe makes one serving, but you can easily scale it up for a party. Just keep the ratios the same and mix in a pitcher.

FAQ

Conclusion

This Salted Butterscotch White Russian Cocktail is everything I love about fall cocktails—it’s creamy, cozy, sweet, and just a little salty. It’s the kind of drink that feels like a treat at the end of a long day.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Share it with me in the comments or tag me if you post it online.