The Hummer
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 ozA good quality dark or aged rum provides depth.
- Kahlúa45 ml / 1.5 ozThe classic choice for this drink's coffee flavor.
- Vanilla Ice Cream2 scoopsA 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.
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