A White Dove is a creamy dessert cocktail made with amaretto, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. It tastes like a chocolate-almond milkshake with a gentle kick, and it looks just as good as it tastes thanks to a chocolate-lined glass and a cherry on top. This drink belongs to a small family of blended, ice-cream-based cocktails that became popular as after-dinner treats in the United States, and it remains a favorite for holidays, dinner parties, and anyone who wants dessert and a drink in one glass.
This guide covers everything you need to understand the White Dove beyond the basic recipe. You will learn where the drink comes from, what each ingredient does, and how it compares to similar cocktails like the Pink Squirrel and the Golden Cadillac. You will also find substitution ideas for gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-alcoholic versions, along with common mistakes that ruin the texture or presentation. A nutrition table is included so you know exactly what you are drinking.
Whether you already have the recipe and want to understand it better, or you are comparing it to other ice cream cocktails before deciding what to make, this article gives you the full picture. Amaretto, crème de cacao, and vanilla ice cream are the heart of this drink, and knowing how they work together will help you make it correctly every time.
What Is a White Dove Cocktail?
A White Dove is a blended, ice-cream-based dessert cocktail made with amaretto, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. It is served in a snifter or wine glass, often lined with chocolate syrup for visual effect, and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. The drink has a thick, milkshake-like texture rather than the thin, liquid texture of a shaken cocktail.
The flavor combines almond sweetness from the amaretto, chocolate richness from the crème de cacao, and creamy vanilla from the ice cream. Because it is blended rather than shaken or stirred, the alcohol content is lower per sip than a standard cocktail, which makes it approachable even for people who do not usually drink spirits. The name “White Dove” refers to the drink’s pale, creamy appearance rather than any specific ingredient.
Origin and History
The White Dove dates back to at least the 1960s and belongs to a category of American dessert cocktails built around ice cream and cream liqueurs. These drinks were designed to be served after a meal, in place of a separate dessert course, at restaurants and bars that wanted to offer something sweet and indulgent to close out the evening.
This style of drink has strong roots in the Wisconsin supper club tradition. Supper clubs are casual, family-style restaurants that became a cultural fixture across Wisconsin starting in the 1940s and 1950s. These restaurants paired simple comfort food, such as fish fry and prime rib, with a full bar that specialized in creamy, boozy desserts. Because Wisconsin is a major dairy-producing state, bartenders there built entire menus around ice cream cocktails.
The most famous drinks from this tradition are the Pink Squirrel, created in 1941 by Bryant Sharp at Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge in Milwaukee, and the Grasshopper, which originated in New Orleans in 1919 and later had ice cream added to it, likely in Wisconsin. The White Dove follows the same formula: a nutty or chocolate liqueur blended with ice cream and served as a dessert in a glass. While the White Dove itself is not documented as a Wisconsin original, it shares the same style, ingredients, and purpose as the supper club classics that came before it.
What’s In a White Dove? (Ingredient Breakdown)
A White Dove contains five main ingredients: amaretto, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. Each one plays a specific role in the drink’s flavor, texture, or appearance.
Amaretto
Amaretto is an almond-flavored liqueur that gives the White Dove its signature nutty sweetness. Despite the almond flavor, most amaretto brands are actually made from apricot pits, not almonds. Popular brands include Disaronno and Lazzaroni. Amaretto also adds a light golden color and a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of the ice cream.
White Crème de Cacao
White crème de cacao is a clear chocolate liqueur that adds chocolate flavor without darkening the drink. The word “white” refers to the liqueur’s color, not a white chocolate flavor. Using the white version instead of dark crème de cacao keeps the White Dove’s pale, creamy appearance intact while still delivering a rich cocoa taste.
Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream forms the base and gives the drink its thick, milkshake-like texture. Full-fat vanilla ice cream works best because it blends smoothly and holds its texture longer than low-fat or light versions. Standard vanilla or French vanilla both work well; French vanilla adds a slightly richer, eggier flavor.
Chocolate Syrup
Chocolate syrup is not blended into the drink. Instead, it is used to line the inside of the glass before pouring, creating a decorative pattern that shows through the pale drink. This technique adds a chocolate flavor to the first few sips and makes the presentation more visually appealing.
Whipped Cream and Garnish
Whipped cream tops the finished drink and adds a light, airy contrast to the thick blended base. A maraschino cherry is the traditional garnish, placed on top of the whipped cream for color and a classic finishing touch. The drink is typically served in a snifter glass or a wine glass, both of which show off the chocolate lining and whipped cream topping.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Blender: needed to combine the ice cream and liqueurs into a smooth, thick texture
- Snifter or wine glass: holds the drink and displays the chocolate syrup lining
- Jigger: measures the amaretto and crème de cacao accurately
- Spoon or squeeze bottle: used to drizzle and swirl the chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring
Which Alcohol Goes With Ice Cream?
Cream liqueurs, coffee liqueurs, brandy, vodka, and rum all pair well with ice cream. These spirits work because they either contain enough sugar and fat to blend smoothly with dairy, or they have a mild enough proof that they do not overpower the ice cream’s flavor.
Amaretto and crème de cacao, the two liqueurs in a White Dove, both fall into the cream liqueur and flavored liqueur category. Other common choices include Kahlúa and other coffee liqueurs, Baileys Irish Cream, brandy, and spiced or coconut rum. Vodka is also popular because its neutral flavor lets the ice cream and other mixers stand out. High-proof spirits like whiskey or tequila are less common in ice cream drinks because their strong flavor and higher alcohol content can clash with the sweetness of the dairy.
White Dove Variations and Substitutions
The White Dove can be adapted for different dietary needs without losing its core flavor.
- Gluten-free version: Most amaretto and crème de cacao brands are gluten-free, but check the label since some flavored liqueurs use gluten-containing additives. Confirm the ice cream and chocolate syrup are also certified gluten-free.
- Non-alcoholic version: Replace the amaretto with almond syrup or orgeat, and replace the crème de cacao with extra chocolate syrup. This keeps the almond and chocolate flavors without the alcohol.
- Vegan or dairy-free version: Use a coconut milk or oat milk based vanilla ice cream, and top with a dairy-free whipped topping. Check that the crème de cacao and amaretto brands you use do not contain dairy, since some cream-style liqueurs do.
- Lighter, thinner version: Add a splash of milk to the blender before mixing to thin the texture slightly, which makes the drink easier to sip through a straw.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Blending too long: Over-blending melts the ice cream too much, turning the drink watery instead of thick and creamy.
- Using dark crème de cacao: This darkens the entire drink and hides the intended pale color; always use the white version.
- Skipping the chocolate syrup lining: Pouring the drink without lining the glass first loses the signature visual swirl that makes the White Dove recognizable.
- Using low-fat ice cream: Low-fat or light ice cream has less fat to hold the mixture together, which can cause the drink to separate or turn icy instead of smooth.
White Dove vs. Similar Ice Cream Cocktails
The White Dove belongs to a family of blended dessert cocktails that includes the Pink Squirrel, Golden Cadillac, Velvet Hammer, Brandy Alexander, and Blue Tail Fly. Each drink swaps out one or two key ingredients while keeping the same creamy, dessert-style format.
White Dove vs. Pink Squirrel
The Pink Squirrel uses crème de noyaux, an almond-flavored liqueur made from stone fruit pits, in place of amaretto. Both drinks combine a nutty liqueur with white crème de cacao, but the Pink Squirrel’s crème de noyaux gives it a distinct pink color, while the White Dove stays pale and light. The Pink Squirrel was created in Wisconsin in 1941 and is traditionally shaken with cream, though a blended ice cream version is also common at supper clubs.
White Dove vs Golden Cadillac
The Golden Cadillac replaces amaretto with Galliano, an herbal, anise-flavored liqueur, while keeping white crème de cacao and cream or ice cream as the base. This gives the Golden Cadillac a more herbal, licorice-like flavor compared to the almond sweetness of the White Dove.
White Dove vs Velvet Hammer
The Velvet Hammer swaps amaretto for triple sec or Cointreau, giving the drink an orange flavor instead of almond. Like the White Dove, it keeps crème de cacao and cream as the other core ingredients, resulting in a chocolate-orange flavor profile.
White Dove vs Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander uses brandy as its base spirit instead of amaretto, combined with dark crème de cacao and cream, and is garnished with grated nutmeg instead of chocolate syrup. It is traditionally shaken rather than blended with ice cream, giving it a thinner texture than the White Dove.
White Dove vs Blue Tail Fly
The Blue Tail Fly is a less common, less documented ice cream cocktail typically made with vodka and blue curaçao, giving it a bright blue color instead of the White Dove’s pale appearance. It shares the same blended, ice-cream-based format but leans toward a citrus flavor rather than almond or chocolate.
Serving Tips and Presentation Ideas
Serve the White Dove in a chilled snifter or wine glass to show off the chocolate syrup lining and whipped cream topping. For parties, blend a double or triple batch and pour into pre-chilled glasses immediately, since the drink loses its thick texture as it sits at room temperature. The White Dove works well as an after-dinner drink, a holiday dessert, or a standalone treat for gatherings where guests want something sweet and low-proof.
Nutrition Table
Nutrition values are estimated per standard serving based on the core recipe (amaretto, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream). Actual values vary by brand and portion size.
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350–400 kcal |
| Total Fat | 14–18 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9–11 g |
| Cholesterol | 45–55 mg |
| Sodium | 60–90 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 40–45 g |
| Sugars | 35–40 g |
| Protein | 3–4 g |
| Alcohol (ABV, approximate) | 6–8% |
FAQs
What’s in a White Dove?
A White Dove contains amaretto, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream, blended together and served in a chocolate-lined snifter or wine glass with a cherry garnish.
Which alcohol goes with ice cream?
Cream liqueurs, coffee liqueurs, brandy, vodka, and rum all pair well with ice cream because their sugar, fat content, or mild proof blend smoothly with dairy without overpowering it.
What is a Pink Squirrel drink made of?
A Pink Squirrel is made of crème de noyaux, white crème de cacao, and heavy cream, or vanilla ice cream in the blended version, and gets its pink color from the crème de noyaux.
What are the ingredients in Dove ice cream?
Dove ice cream, made by Mars, is a different product from the White Dove cocktail. It typically contains milk, cream, sugar, and a chocolate coating, and it is not an ingredient used in the White Dove recipe.
Final Thoughts
The White Dove is a creamy, chocolate-almond dessert cocktail that fits naturally into the same tradition as the Pink Squirrel and other supper club classics from Wisconsin’s dairy-rich bar culture. Its blend of amaretto, white crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup makes it an approachable, low-proof treat for anyone who wants dessert and a drink together. Understanding each ingredient’s role, along with common mistakes and dietary substitutions, makes it easier to get the texture, flavor, and presentation right every time.
If you enjoy the White Dove, try comparing it side by side with the Pink Squirrel, Golden Cadillac, or Brandy Alexander to find your favorite in this family of ice cream cocktails. Share your results or your own twist on the recipe, and keep the supper club tradition of creamy, sweet dessert drinks going at your next gathering.
Pink Squirrel Wisconsin Supper Club Ice Cream Cocktail
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
- Créme de noyaux tastes almond-like but contains no actual almonds, it’s made from apricot, peach, or cherry pits.
- The original 1941 recipe (created by Bryant Sharp at Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge in Milwaukee) included the crème de cacao; some modern versions at the original bar have dropped it, but this recipe keeps it in for the classic flavor.
- Swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk in the whipped topping for a dairy-free version.
- If Chartreuse isn’t available, angostura bitters works as a substitute in the whipped cream use just ½ oz since it’s much stronger.
