If you’re wondering what in the world a pink squirrel is, you’re not alone! I’d never heard of it until few weeks ago when I was home for Mother’s Day. We were out to dinner at this little Italian restaurant in the neighborhood, chatting about a million things over stuffed clams and calamari when my grandma started talking about pink squirrels.
I think it was probably the only moment all of us were silent. “Gram, what’s a pink squirrel?” I didn’t have a clue what she was talking about.
Gram said it was vanilla ice cream, strawberries and vodka in the blender. Then she started talking about how she used to drink them with my nanny. Those two were a great time when they got together. I always remember them breaking out the blender, the ice cream and the Baileys on Christmas Eve. At least now we know where I get it from 😉
But the pink squirrel was new to me, and the mention of ice cream, strawberries and vodka was music to my ears…
By the time I got back to Boston, I was all about this pink squirrel business. I looked it up and found out that it was a popular drink in the 60s, but had nothing to do with ice cream, strawberries, or vodka… Apparently, the pink squirrel was made with cream, creme de cocoa and some type of almond liqueur that tinted it pink.
Armed with this new information and the fact that I 100 percent prefer my Gram’s version, I decided to come up with my own pink squirrel. First, I roasted a batch of vanilla bean strawberries, and then blended them up with vanilla ice cream, Godiva liqueur, vanilla vodka and a splash of Amaretto.
Can you say, where have you been all my life?! The original drink may have had a short life span, but the pink squirrel 2.0 is here to stay! Seriously, you guys know how much I love roasting fruit, but roasted fruit in a milkshake is where it’s at!
Cheers to the weekend and cheers to my Gram!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup roasted strawberries - one batch will be plenty
- 2 big scoops vanilla ice cream (8 ounces)
- 1/2 -3/4 cup milk
- 4 Tbsp.(1/4 cup) Godiva white chocolate liqueur
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla vodka
- 2 Tbsp. Amaretto
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. I suggest starting with 1/2 cup milk and if it's too thick, add more until you reach the desired consistency.
- Garnish with whipped cream.
- For the glasses, I dipped the rims in white chocolate and crushed Nilla wafer crumbs.
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
What a fun milkshake! I love the little jars you served them in, so cute 🙂
Zainab says
Holy COW!! I’ve never heard of this before but now all I want is a glass. What a great idea to roast the strawberries and get that added flavor. Gram’s is the best!!
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
I think I love your Grams! Anyone who combines ice cream and liquor is a friend to me 🙂 These pink squirrels look like a fun girls night dessert!
Beverley says
one of the most adorable recipes every. How can you stop at just one? xoxo
Liz says
Oh, yeah, I definitely prefer your gram’s version, too!
bblondie says
Definitely! Thanks, Liz!
Eftychia says
Simply Delicious! Excellent presentation!
bblondie says
Thank you, Eftychia! Hope all is well with you!