does the drink black russian usually have coke in it?

[fishwax]

I generally drink a white russian or two on a saturday night, particularly as the last drink of the night (as a sort of unofficial end to the weekend). But tonight I was in the mood for a bit of caffeine, so I mixed my vodka and kahlua with some cherry coke. Good stuff.

I decided to search google to find out what one calls the mixture of Kahlua, Vodka, and Coke, and I came up with several references to black russians.

Now, I'd always thought of a black russian as just vodka and kahlua (perhaps with ice, if that's what you're into). Coke never entered the picture, in my mind.

So my questions are:

(1) is a black russian really supposed to have coke in it?

(2) is there any other name for the mix of vodka, kahlua, and cola?

[Mutley]

1. Black Russian

1½ oz. Vodka
1¾ oz. Coffee Liqueur

Add Vodka and then Coffee Liqueur to a glass filled with cubed ice. Stir.

[fishwax]

2. That's what I always thought of as a black russian

though, I'll confess, I've never been too cautious with the exact amounts :)

But I found all these links to web sites of bars that list Black Russians as including some amount (often just a splash) of Coke, such as: http://www.champssportsbar.co.uk/cocktails/cocktails.htm.

Looking at these sites again, most (perhaps all) appear to be in the U.K., so maybe it's a British thing. :shrug:

[Mutley]

4. People might make it that way, I guess.

That's just what it says in this bartending book I have. :P

[fishwax]

6. that's what I went with for round two

:D

[DawgHouse]

3. I've had both types.

Some add coke and some don't. I think a real black russian is just kahlua and vodka, though.

[fishwax]

7. ever had a colorado bulldog?

it's the coke version but then with milk or cream added. It sounds pretty disgusting, but it's actually really good. Haven't had one of those in a long while ...

[DawgHouse]

8. I'll try anything once.

I googled it and some said it tasted like chocolate milk :)

[fishwax]

10. that's about how I remember

I had an old friend who used to swear by them, and he talked me into trying them once ... it was nothing like I expected, and was like a slightly tart chocolate milk. I used to drink them when he was around, but haven't seen him (or had one) in years.

Generally, though, I'll hold the coke and stick to a white russian :9

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

9. Yeah, Colorado Bulldogs are pretty good.

I don't really drink vodka though. It doesn't like me. Apparently, I'm bizarre because I can drink a shitload of tequila (only expensive ones though) and beer with no ill effects, but a single vodka drink leaves me hungover.

[fishwax]

12. It's weird how different liquors affect people differently

But you're definitely in the minority having no problems with tequila. I've never had a big problem with Tequila, but I'm just not a huge fan of the taste (except when I make tacos, then I like to add a cup or two when I stir in the seasonings :9)

I guess everybody seems to have one type of alcohol that will really does a number on them. I'm still looking for mine--purely for research purposes, of course :rofl: Generally I just drink a whole lot of water when I expect to drink, and I come out fine. Worst hangover I ever had was a result of rum, but I blamed it all on poor preparation :)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. I only drink top-shelf tequilas. I think anything less is gross.

Give me some Corazon or Patron any day. It's worth the money.

[fishwax]

17. I've never had any top-shelf stuff ...

I'll have to give it a try sometime. I've mostly had Cuervo. I've always wanted to try some really good tequila, but since it's a bit of an investment and I'm not sure I'd like it, I've never tried. Sometime, perhaps, if I think of it while in a nice bar, so I can try a shot instead of a whole bottle ...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

20. By me, a shot of Corazon is $6.50 but it's smooth enough to sip.

In NYC, a mere 30 minutes away, I've seen it for $13!!!! Anyone that needs training wheels for the good stuff is a loser, BTW.

Last time I had a cuervo shot was at my mom's wedding, it was gross. IMHO, the cheaper stuff is just for mixing.

[fishwax]

22. hey, what do you mean by this

Anyone that needs training wheels for the good stuff is a loser, BTW.

:shrug:

IMHO, the cheaper stuff is just for mixing.

yeah, explains why Margaritas and tacos are the extent of my involvement.

Have you ever tried Chinaco? That and Patron are the two types I've most frequently seen recommended ...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

24. Never even seen Chinaco around here...

Training wheels is when you do a shot of tequila, but you need salt and lime to do it. The whole point is to eliminate the taste, but if you drink good stuff, it's smooth enough, that you shouldn't have to eliminate the taste.

As for the second comment, I feel that if you're going to drink a good tequila, you should drink it straight. If you're going to drink Cuervo (or *gack* worse), use that for mixing into margaritas and such. The only time I'll drink top shelf stuff mixed is at Shanghai Jazz, and that's because I'm friends with the bartenders so they charge me for well drinks automatically (this place serves $6 buds).

[fishwax]

25. ah, gotcha :) I just remembered that I'm

going to Mexico next month for my bro-in-laws wedding. I should have the chance to try some pretty good tequila then. :)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. A real black russian is only vodka and kalua.

[Suich]

11. Thank you! n/t

[Fox Mulder]

18. That sounds good right now.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

21. I'm enjoying my bacardi & coke.

It's my third one, so it's probably really about 8-9 shots of bacardi.

[fishwax]

23. that's my default drink

i love bacardi and coke. This week, alas, out of rum, so I'm improvising :)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

26. When I go out, I usually drink...

Smithwick's with pepper or Jameson & ginger. If I'm drinking something straight, it will either be Corazon or Jameson 1780 neat. I have some absinthe around, but I'm not a fan of the kind I have currently.

[pitohui]

13. back in the day

i may assure you that in the 70s when they were in vogue that the black russian was kahlua and vodka, the coke was a powder served separately :-)

didn't even know the black russian still existed, for your next blast into the past, try the harvey wallbanger!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

15. Ewww...anything with galliano is gross.

But yes, if you're drinking a Black russian, coke should be a wonderful side powder.

[NMMNG]

16. I've never heard of putting Coke in a Black Russian

And none of the bars I've gone to have ever put Coke in it. It's always been Kahlua and Vodka.

However this place in the UK makes their Black Russian with Coke, as do Loop Pool Bar and Belushi's, which appears to have multiple locations across the Atlantic. Maybe adding Coke is a European thing? :shrug:

[fishwax]

19. that's what I was thinking too

I'd never heard of it either, until I googled the three ingredients tonight in an effort to find out what that drink was called. But all the places I found with that recipe were across the pond, so I think that must be the case ...