This simple, yet tasty Colorado bulldog cocktail recipe is an elevated twist on the white Russian. Vodka, coffee liqueur, milk, and a splash of coke make a frothy, effervescent and creamy drink you won’t be able to put down!
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White Russian With Coke Spin – Classic Bulldog!
My husband is very familiar behind a bar. Ryan bartended through college, graduate school, and then continued into “real life” when we couldn’t resist the extra money supplementing income.
He was familiar with the customers pulling up to his bar and ordering their “usuals.” Often, though, when patrons are faced with limitless alcohol choices, they hit a wall. “I don’t know what I want to drink.”
With so many cocktail options to choose from, Ryan’s number one suggestion was a Colorado Bulldog. No one had a problem taking down this slightly effervescent drink that tasted like nothing they’ve ever had before.
Plus, when you nail the perfect ingredient and ratios, it’s hard to deny the goodness. Just like an perfected espresso martini, when it hits, it hits.
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But What Does It Taste Like?
Of course bar patrons would want to know what was this mysterious drink they just quickly sucked down. To make a Colorado Bulldog, pour vodka, coffee liqueur (like Kahlua) and cream in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice, pour into a glass and add a splash of coke.
Basically it’s a White Russian with pop (yep, I’m from the Midwest), but the taste resembles a frothy, creamy root beer float with booze or others have described it as a boozy Dr. Pepper. They all sound delish in my book.
Let’s Make This Together!
The great part about this drink is you really can’t mess it up. As long as you have the essential alcohol – vodka and coffee liquor, the rest can be what you have on hand.
For the milk, use heavy cream or half and half if you prefer creamier drinks. Use milk for a lighter tasting bulldog. For the cola, traditionally coke is added, but diet coke, root beer, soda water, or Dr. Pepper may be substituted.
Instead of regular vodka, swap out vanilla vodka or add a splash of Rumchata to the recipe.
- If desired drizzle the inside of glass with chocolate syrup, set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker pour vodka, Kahlua, and milk or cream. Add ice and shake.
- Pour into prepared class, give a quick stir, and top with a splash of coke, which creates a frothy fizz.
Can I Make It Dairy-Free?
Yep. To make a dairy-free Bulldog, replace the cream with cashew cream, almond milk, coconut milk, or coconut cream. The remaining ingredients are naturally dairy-free.
Can I Make A Frozen Version?
Also yep! First freeze the coke in ice cube trays. Blend it together with ice, vodka, cream, and Kahlua. Serve immediately.
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Frothy, Fizzy Colorado Bulldog Cocktail (The Best!)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
- 2 ounce cream, half and half, or milk
- 1 ounce coke
- chocolate syrup, optional
Instructions
- If desired, drizzle inside of tall glass with chocolate syrup and set aside.
- Place ice in a cocktail shaker and pour in the measured vodka, Kahlua, and cream, half and half or milk. Shake for a few seconds and pour entire contents into tall glass.2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce coffee liqueur, 2 ounce cream, half and half, or milk, 1 ounce coke
- Top drink with coke and enjoy!
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Colorado Bulldog, this variation of a White Russian sounds wonderful, here is another variation you owe it to yourself to try.
Make a White Russian add a shot of Southern Comfort and add just a splash of Coca-Cola, adding to much Coke ruins the flavor of this drink. Please be mindful one must be careful with this drink, the lingering taste left in your mouth will cause you to want more and more.
If you like the White Russian taste or any its variants, most will find they will have a hard time leaving this drink on the countertop. It truly is that good.
Thank you for this, Larry! It sounds amazing and I’m definitely trying it.
Best,
Melissa
My husband and I are not vodka drinkers at all. It makes me sick. My mother-in-law was the one to adapt the recipe to leave the vodka out. We do 2 parts kahula, 1 part half and half and one part coke. I’ve even tried Dr pepper because I’m an addict 😂. Still tastes the same! We’ve also tried making it into a slushie type drink by blending the kahula, half and half with the ice then adding coke to the glass. Its just as good!
Hi Kay,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write and share these tips. It sounds absolutely amazing and a great adaption if someone wants a lower alcohol cocktail. I haven’t tried blending it in, but I’m excited to give it a go too!
Best,
Melissa
If you add a splash of Galiano, it tastes like a root beer float. 🙂
Good tid bit! I’ll give it a try, Kelli. Thanks!
Why bother with the splash of coke, doesn’t it just add calories?
Hi Brenda,
You can definitely leave it out if you like, but I think the splash of coke (I actually usually use diet coke because I always have that on hand) is really what makes the drink. It gives it a little bit of fizz and makes it frothy when you shake it up.
It’s more or less a White Russian, which I make blended and sometimes with a little ice cream (though that makes it heavy and definitely adds calories!) We never have things like coke around the house.. I’ll buy a small one and give it a try. The fizz sounds interesting.. which makes me want to try just adding a splash of carbonated water too…. thanks!