This is a collaborative post with photographer Love Les. 

A few years ago, I visited Seattle Distilling on Vashon Island and fell in love with their coffee liqueur. It's unbelievably good and started me on what is sure to be a life-long love affair with boozy milkshakes. They're often thought of as a summer drink, but this trio is just right for fall. The pumpkin spice was the crowd favorite. It has just the right amount of pumpkin-y goodness to be the perfect fall dessert. (You hardly need any pumpkin for the recipe, so use the rest to make a pie or some pumpkin muffins!) 

These milkshakes are delicious with or without the alcohol, although I think the liquor really adds to the flavor. Each recipe is easy to adjust according to the flavors you enjoy most. I'll say this though- you don't want a boozy milkshake to be quite as alcoholic as a cocktail. It's a bit overwhelming to have a full amount, so I'd recommend one shot between two milkshakes. 

Another word of advice, particularly if your spirits are at room temperature, you want to make sure your ice cream is frozen solid. This is no time for soft ice cream. Save the milk for last so you can adjust amounts as needed. You would be surprised how easily milkshakes get runny. It's easier to add more milk than it is to add more of everything else. Each of these recipes serves 2, because a boozy shake for one is just too sad ;) 

Boozy Milkshakes - Fall Edition

Salted Carmel

Ingredients: 
2 cups Vanilla Bean ice cream
1/4 cup milk
2 Tb Caramel sauce, divided
1 shot Bourbon
Sea Salt

Directions: (serves 2)
1. Drizzle caramel sauce on the inside of the cup (Optional: salt the rim of the glass)
2. Add ice cream, liquor, and mix-ins to blender. Add half the milk and blend.
Add more milk till you reach desired thickness.

Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients: 
2 cups Vanilla Bean ice cream
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 shot Bourbon
1/2 shot Coffee Liqueur 

Directions:
Add ice cream, liquor, and mix-ins to blender. Add half the milk and blend.
Add more milk till you reach desired thickness. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Chocolate Peanut-Butter

Ingredients: 
2 cups Vanilla Bean ice cream
1/4 cup milk
1 Tb chocolate sauce
1 Tb peanut butter
1/2 shot Vodka
1/2 shot Coffee Liqueur 

Directions:
Add ice cream, liquor, and mix-ins to blender. Add half milk and blend.
Add more milk till you reach desired thickness.