If you haven’t enjoyed a frozen mudslide dockside at Champlin's Marina & Resort, have you really experienced Block Island? For decades, Champlin’s has been blending what many call the best mudslide on Block Island. While the cocktail may have originated in the Caribbean, its legendary reputation was cemented right here on the shores of the Great Salt Pond - also known as New Harbor. Here, the mudslide isn’t just a drink. It’s a tradition.
How the Mudslide Became a Block Island Ritual
Every summer afternoon on the Great Salt Pond follows a familiar rhythm. Boaters ease into the marina after a long day offshore. Ferry passengers wander over from Old Harbor. Families fresh off the beach follow the music drifting through the docks. By noon, the blenders are humming. By golden hour, Adirondack chairs are filled with guests holding chocolate-drizzled cups raised toward the sunset.
The Champlin’s mudslide has become an unofficial welcome ceremony to Block Island. It’s the first toast of vacation. The group photo moment. The “just one more before dinner” that turns into watching the boats roll in as the sky shifts from blue to pink to deep summer orange.
Search online for best mudslide on Block Island, and you’ll quickly see one name come up again and again.
What Makes Champlin’s Mudslide the GOAT?
It starts with the blend:
- Vodka
- Coffee liqueur
- Irish cream
- A creamy ice cream base
- Signature chocolate drizzle
The balance is key - smooth but not overly sweet, rich but still refreshing enough to beat a humid Rhode Island afternoon. Guests can customize their mudslide to match their mood. Add a fresh banana for a tropical twist. Float dark rum on top for extra depth. Or keep it classic and order it “straight up. But the secret ingredient isn’t just what’s inside the cup. It’s the setting.
Trader’s Dock Bar: The Heart of the Experience
At Trader’s Dock Bar, the mudslide takes center stage. The open-air tiki vibe, waterfront seating, and dock-and-dine convenience make it one of the most iconic bars on Block Island. Located directly on the Great Salt Pond in New Harbor, Champlin’s offers front-row seats to the island’s boating culture. Yachts, sailboats, and fishing boats drift in and out while live music fills the air. Whether you’re staying overnight at the resort, docking for the weekend, or visiting for the afternoon, the mudslide is part of the full Champlin’s experience. And yes, the line can form quickly during peak season—but that only adds to the legend.
Planning Your Mudslide Moment
If you’re searching for:
- Best mudslide on Block Island
- Block Island tiki bar
- Great Salt Pond waterfront drinks
- Dockside bars in New Harbor
You’ll find them all at Champlin’s Marina & Resort.
Pro tip: Arrive mid-afternoon to enjoy a more relaxed dockside vibe before the sunset rush. Staying on property? You’re just steps away from the blender.
Why Champlin’s Truly Is the GOAT
There are plenty of places to grab a drink on Block Island. But there’s only one place where the mudslide has become legendary. It’s the combination of decades of tradition, waterfront energy, marina views, and that perfectly blended balance of vodka, coffee liquor, and Irish cream. At Champlin's Marina & Resort, legends aren’t written - they’re blended. So grab an Adirondack chair, watch the boats roll in and raise your cup to summer on the Great Salt Pond. We’ll have the blender ready at Champlin’s Marina & Resort, so come experience the most iconic mudslide on Block Island for yourself.
Ready to taste the legend? Book your stay or dock your boat at Champlin’s Marina & Resort and experience Block Island’s most iconic mudslide for yourself.