Colorado Bulldog cocktail recipe is an elevated twist on the white Russian. Vodka, coffee liqueur, milk, and a splash of coke make a frothy, creamy drink you won’t be able to put down!
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.”
Ryan’s number one suggestion was a Colorado Bulldog cocktail. No one had a problem taking down this slightly effervescent drink that tasted like nothing they’ve ever had before.
What are the ingredients in a Colorado Bulldog?
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, but the taste resembles a frothy, creamy root beer float with booze!
Why do they call it a Colorado Bulldog Drink?
The origin of the Colorado Bulldog appears to be a mystery. Cocktails traditionally have random names that have nothing to do with the alcohol (ie. Brandy Alexander, Alabama Slammer, Seabreeze, Bushwacker).
This beverage appears to follow suit.
What Kind of Cream or Milk to use
Heavy cream, half and half, whole to skim milk, coconut milk or any other non-dairy milk may be used.
If you prefer creamier drinks or looking for a dessert cocktail, use heavy cream or half and half. Use regular milk to reduce calories or make a lighter tasting drink.
How To Make a colorado bulldog
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.
See above for alternative dairy options. For the cola, traditionally coke is added, but diet coke, root beer, soda water, or Dr. Pepper may be substituted.
- 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.
dairy-free variation
To make a dairy-free Colorado Bulldog, replace the cream with cashew cream, almond milk, coconut milk, or coconut cream. The remaining ingredients are naturally dairy-free.
making it blended or frozen
To make a frozen drink, first freeze the coke in ice cube trays. Blend it together with ice, vodka, cream, and Kahlua. Serve immediately
substitutions and modifications
Swap out cola for diet, soda water, or root beer, or Dr. Pepper. To add another layer of flavor use vanilla vodka or add a splash of Rumchata to the recipe.
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step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!
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- Blackberry Martini – This refreshing and easy martini recipe combines fresh blackberries, vodka, citrus, and a sparkling finish.
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Colorado Bulldog
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.
- Top drink with coke and enjoy!
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Nutrition
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Kay says
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!
Melissa says
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
Kelli says
If you add a splash of Galiano, it tastes like a root beer float. 🙂
Melissa says
Good tid bit! I’ll give it a try, Kelli. Thanks!
Brenda says
Why bother with the splash of coke, doesn’t it just add calories?
Melissa says
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.
Brenda says
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!