The Colorado Bulldog is a sweet, alcoholic, float-like cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, cream and cola.
The drink is essentially a White Russian with cola, a coffee-flavored soda shop float for adults. The origins of the Colorado Bulldog are shrouded in mystery, but the drink is thought to have been introduced in the 1980s when the White Russian was especially popular. Over the years, the buzzy drink has developed a cult following among those in the know.
The trick to mixing ingredients like cream and cola without curdling or creating excessive fizz is to first shake all the ingredients except for the carbonation until they are cold. Then, strain into a glass and slowly pour in the cold cola. It’s also a good idea to stir well after mixing everything together.
This recipe can be made with any dairy-free creamer or made non-alcoholic by substituting fresh espresso for the coffee liqueur and vodka — you can adjust the ratios to suit your taste.
Why Colorado Bulldogs Work
Heavy cream, cola, coffee, and alcohol may seem like mutually exclusive ingredients, but they actually go surprisingly well together.
Coffee and cola have similar flavors, with notes of baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and hints of vanilla, cherry, and plum. Both coffee and cola have a slightly sour taste. The coffee liqueur in this recipe also replicates the rich, syrupy sweetness of cola.
The vodka and cream balance out the sweetness of the drink: the vodka gives it structure, while the cream softens the other ingredients, making it smoother on the palate.
The cola in this recipe takes this White Russian to the next level of alcoholic beverage, while the soda adds complexity, sweetness, and lively fizz, helping to create a float-like cocktail that even Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski would approve of.
