Got a craving for something sweet, boozy, and downright comforting? A Colorado Bulldog will fix that.
Just like its cousin, the White Russian, this popular cocktail has creamy, coffee-like vibes, only it comes equipped with a fun and fizzy twist thanks to a splash of Coca-cola.
Looking for more awesome cocktail recipes to try? Bookmark the ever-decadent Mudslide in your internet browser for next time!
WHAT IS A COLORADO BULLDOG?
Colorado Bulldogs are a sweet and creamy cocktail with a base of vodka and Kahlúa. You will also find some form of dairy (more about that below) and Coca-Cola in a Colorado bulldog.
This cocktail is an adaptation of another popular drink called the Black Russian. A black Russian is served on the rocks and consists of only vodka and Kahlúa. Both the White Russian and the Colorado Bulldog Cocktail are reworkings of the Black Russian cocktail base.
In fact, the only difference between a Colorado bulldog and a White Russian is the addition of Coca-Cola!
Hosting an epic brunch? Try our Bloody Mary Bar set up to wow a crowd!
COLORADO BULLDOG INGREDIENTS
- Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua)
- Vodka
- Coca-Cola
- Cream
The loudest flavor in a Colorado Bulldog Cocktail is Kahlua.
Kahlúa is a rum-based coffee liqueur with rich flavor and a buttery mouthfeel. The most predominant flavors of this liqueur are coffee and roasted chestnut, according to the Kahlua FAQ sheet. I can't personally say I taste the roasted chestnut in Kahlúa, but the coffee flavor is 100% there!
The boozy flavor of this cocktail comes mostly from the vodka. For a stronger vodka taste, regular vodka does the trick just fine. However, if you want to bury the flavor of alcohol, you might want to opt for vanilla vodka, which also adds a little more sweetness to the cocktail.
The Kahlua liqueur in combination with Coca-Cola lends a cocoa-type attribute to the cocktail. When these ingredients are combined with cream, many people say the Colorado Bulldog taste like a boozy glass of grown-up chocolate milk!
If you don't have Coca-Cola on hand, feel free to sub in Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, or root beer.
And, as for the dairy, you can use cream, half-and-half, or whole milk. The higher the fat content of your dairy, the less boozy your cocktail will taste.
This is because high-fat dairy products have a tendency to mellow out the harsh taste of liquor, so if you don't love the taste of alcohol, use a high-fat dairy such as cream or half-and-half in your Colorado Bulldog.
Love a good cocktail? Try our Bloody Mary recipe next!
HOW TO MAKE A COLORADO BULLDOG
You can make your Colorado bulldog either in a shaker or take the easy route and pour the ingredients directly over ice and give it a stir to combine.
If you want to ditch the shaker and get straight to business, have ready a lowball rocks glass filled with ice and get ready to add the vodka and Kahlua
You'll add one ounce of Kahlua, followed by a half-ounce or a full-ounce of vodka. The amount of vodka you pour depends on how boozy tasting you want your cocktail (and, of course) your tolerance as well).
Then, add a splash of Coca-Cola. And, lastly, add cream to fill to the top! All that's left is to gently stir and serve!
For another delicious classic, try our Pimm's Cup Cocktail next!
If you are using a cocktail shaker, you'll fill the shaker with ice, add 1 ounce each of vodka and coffee liqueur, about 3 ounces of cream, seal, and shake. Have a lowball cocktail glass filled to the top with ice and pour the contents of the shaker into the glass. Add a splash of Coca-Cola to the top and your Colorado bulldog is ready!
If you'd like to make your Colorado bulldog extra fancy, garnish it with a cherry and/or a swirl of whipped cream.
WHAT MAKES A COLORADO BULLDOG CURDLE?
If you are an avid Colorado bulldog drinker, you've probably noticed that from time to time this drink has a tendency to curdle. This is all due to the citric acid in the soda. You can attempt to avoid curdling by pouring the Coka-Cola in slowly and taking care not to add more than a generous splash.
If your drink curdles, don't freak out. Just give it a stir and all will be well!
6 MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Salted Caramel Irish Coffees
- Hot Toddy With Rum
- Cranberry Mimosa
- Spiked Apple Cider
- Pomegranate Martini
- Mudslide Cocktail
Irish Coffees
Hot Toddy With Rum
Cranberry Mimosa
Spiked Apple Cider
Pomegranate Martini
Mudslide Cocktail
The Colorado Bulldog is a creamy and delicious dessert cocktail with coffee-like vibes! Easy to make at home and perfect for entertaining.
- 1 ounce Kahlua Coffee Liqueur (or any coffee liqueur)
- 1 ounce vodka (or vanilla vodka)
- 3 ounces (⅓ cup) half and half
- Splash of Coca-cola
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Have ready a rocks glass filled with ice.
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Add the Kahlua, vodka, half and half, and Coca-Cola and stir to combine.
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Garnish with a cherry, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Video
