The Hummer

Name: The Hummer
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 45 ml / 1.5 oz Dark Rum; 45 ml / 1.5 oz Kahlúa; 2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream; 1/2 cup Crushed Ice (optional)

Ingredients Instructions

The Hummer is a delightfully indulgent frozen cocktail that perfectly balances the coffee notes of Kahlúa with the sweetness of dark rum and the creamy texture of vanilla ice cream. Served blended and frosty, it's the ideal adult milkshake for a warm evening or as a dessert. Its simplicity is its charm, delivering a smooth, rich flavor that's both comforting and potent.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Hummer is categorized as a creamy, frozen dessert cocktail. It's considered a modern classic, particularly within its region of origin, and serves well as a boozy milkshake or digestif.

Serving

The Hummer is a cold, frozen drink served in a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Despite its dessert-like nature, it carries a moderate alcohol content.

Serving size

Approx. 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz

Alcohol content

Estimated 15-20% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Old Fashioned

Glass treatment

Chilled glass

Backstory

The drink was invented in 1968 by Jerome Adams at the Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit, Michigan. He was asked to make something new, and after some experimentation, he landed on this concoction. It was named "The Hummer" because a customer remarked that after two of them, the drink made them want to hum.

Origin

Detroit, Michigan, USA, circa 1968.

The Hummer

Primarily known as The Hummer, it is sometimes called the Detroit Hummer to specify its origin. It's a simple, descriptive name for the buzzing sensation one might get from the blended ice, cream, and alcohol.

Original name

The Hummer

Alternative name

Detroit Hummer

Characteristics overview

This drink has a rich coffee and vanilla aroma, with a dominant sweet flavor profile. Its texture is thick and smooth like a milkshake, making it an indulgent, summery treat.

Flavor

Creamy, Coffee, Sweet, Rum, Vanilla

Aroma

Coffee, Vanilla, Sweet cream

Taste balance

Sweet

Aftertaste

Lingering, Sweet, Creamy, Coffee

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Light brown, Opaque, Creamy

Texture

Thick, Smooth, Frozen, Milkshake-like

Seasonality

Summery, Indulgent

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely creamy and sweet, dominated by vanilla and coffee notes with a noticeable but smooth alcohol presence. It is a rich, non-carbonated dessert drink.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe requires only three main ingredients: dark rum, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, and vanilla ice cream. Some recipes also add crushed ice to achieve a thicker consistency.

Dark Rum45 ml / 1.5 oz
A good quality dark or aged rum provides depth.
Kahlúa45 ml / 1.5 oz
The classic choice for this drink's coffee flavor.
Vanilla Ice Cream2 scoops
A good quality, creamy vanilla ice cream is key.
Crushed Ice1/2 cup(optional)
Use to achieve a thicker, frostier consistency.

Ice type

Crushed

Mixing equipments

A blender is the essential piece of equipment needed to combine the ingredients into a smooth, frozen consistency.

Blender for combining ingredients

Instructions

Simply combine rum, Kahlúa, and vanilla ice cream in a blender, blend until smooth, and pour into a chilled glass to serve immediately.

1. Chill your serving glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

2. Add the dark rum, Kahlúa, and vanilla ice cream to a blender.

3. Add crushed ice if using for a thicker consistency.

4. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.

5. Pour the blended mixture into the chilled glass.

6. Garnish with a sprinkle of grated nutmeg or chocolate shavings, if desired.

7. Serve immediately with a straw.

Garnishing

Traditionally served without a garnish, but a sprinkle of grated nutmeg or some chocolate shavings can add a nice aromatic touch.

Grated Nutmeg, sprinkle on top
Chocolate Shavings, sprinkle on top

Dietary Information

This is a vegetarian but not vegan drink, as it contains dairy and potentially eggs from ice cream. It contains caffeine from the coffee liqueur and is typically gluten, soy, and nut-free.

✓ Contains alcohol

✕ Caffeine-free

✕ Dairy-free

✕ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✕ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-calorie dessert drink, rich in sugar and carbohydrates primarily from the ice cream and liqueur.

Calories

Averagely 350-450 kcal / 1464-1883 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 30-40g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 25-35g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect as a liquid dessert after a meal or as a refreshing treat during a summer party. Its casual and fun nature makes it suitable for relaxed social gatherings.

Dessert
After-dinner
Summer party
Casual gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Hummer is best enjoyed on its own as a dessert course. However, it can also pair nicely with dark chocolate treats or be served alongside a post-dinner coffee.

Dark Chocolate
On its own as dessert
Coffee-flavored cakes

The Hummer: Detroit's Famous Boozy Milkshake

The Hummer is a classic frozen dessert cocktail originating from Detroit. It's a simple yet delicious blend of dark rum, Kahlúa, and vanilla ice cream, resulting in a boozy milkshake with a smooth, creamy texture and a sweet coffee flavor. Perfect for summer evenings or as an after-dinner treat, this drink is easy to make and guaranteed to please anyone with a sweet tooth.