The Colorado Bulldog drink is a wonderfully flavored cocktail. It is a classic White Russian with a little something extra. If you like Kahlua, you will enjoy this one!
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What makes a Colorado Bulldog so good?
The Colorado Bulldog cocktail is flavorful because of the combination of its ingredients. The vodka provides a neutral base, while the Kahlúa and milk add a creamy, sweet flavor. The cola balances the sweetness and provides a touch of caffeine. The addition of grenadine adds a touch of color and sweetness to the cocktail. Combining these ingredients results in a smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet cocktail that is easy to drink.
Why you should try this recipe
The Colorado Bulldog is a White Russian with a fizzy twist! A White Russian cocktail that is made of vodka, Kahlua, milk, and Coca-Cola. If you enjoy Long Island Iced tea, this cocktail is for you!
This Colorado Bulldog recipe is a copycat version of the cocktail served at Slick Willie’s Family Pool Hall.
Colorado Bulldog Cocktail Origin
The exact origin of the Colorado Bulldog cocktail is unknown. However, it is believed to have been inspired by the Long Island Iced Tea, a classic cocktail made with vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec, mixed with cola and lemon juice. The Colorado Bulldog is similar in ingredients, but with the addition of Kahlúa and Bailey’s Irish Cream to create a creamier, sweeter drink. It is thought to have emerged as a popular cocktail in the 1980s and 1990s and remains a popular choice in bars and restaurants.
Colorado Bulldog Recipe Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Kahlua Coffee Liqueur – for sweetness
- Vodka – this is your base spirit
- Milk – here, you can switch the milk for light cream (half and half), or you could swap this for Bailey’s
- Coca-Cola – this adds carbonation and caffeine
How to Make a Colorado Bulldog
- Pour Kahlua and Vodka over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
- Add milk and cola.
- Stir, then pour it into a glass and serve.
What does Coca-Cola do for a Colorado Bulldog?
Adding a small splash of Coca-Cola gives the Colorado Bulldog drink a bit of fizz. In effect, it ramps up a White Russian.
The fizz turns what was often served as an after-dinner drink into a cocktail that is very accessible anytime you want to enjoy one.
The splash of soda also gives this drink a special taste. You would never guess the secret is Coca-Cola.
What is Kahlua?
Go to any bar, and you’ll find a bottle of Kahlua. This is because it’s one of the world’s most popular coffee liqueurs. But, very few people know that Kahlua, a key ingredient in a White Russian cocktail, originates from Mexico.
Kahlua is a beautiful combination of coffee, rum, corn syrup, and vanilla beans (another traditional Mexican ingredient). It’s a sweet, rich, coffee-flavored liqueur perfect for an after-dinner drink. Learn how to make homemade Kahlua.
You are missing out on a White Russian variation if you have never tried the Colorado Bulldog drink. A Colorado Bulldog adds a splash of coke to this drink. The addition of Coca-Cola pulls the entire drink together.
Love Cocktails? Try these recipes!
- Beer Margaritas
- Black Russian
- Captain Morgan Rum Punch
- Cucumber Gin Cocktail
- Dole Whip Float
- Irish Coffee Recipe
- Kahlua Mudslide
- Mountain Dew Margarita
- Pina Colada Sangria
- Washington Apple Drink Recipe
Favorite Non-Alcoholic Coffee Drinks
Be sure to check out more of my easy cocktail recipes and the best copycat drink recipes here on CopyKat.com!
Colorado Bulldog Drink
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Kahlua
- 2 ounces Vodka
- 6 ounces Milk half and half is preferred.
- 1 ounce Coca-Cola
Instructions
- Pour Kahlua and Vodka over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
- Add milk and cola. Stir and pour into a glass.
Natalie
Definitely my all time favorite drink. I get these in Cloudcroft and making them at home is cheaper and I can make them stronger. Highly recommend using half and half and not milk tho!
Patsy
OMGosh!!! My ALLTIME favorite drink! Being form central/south Texas I use Tequila as alcohol of choice! DELISH!!!
Jano Dornisch
I make these at home all the time…..except we call them Smith and Wesson……if you don’t use the vodka with it, then it’s a Smith and Kerns. They are so delicious. They even taste good with Coke Zero (after drinking them for years with real coke I was very afraid!) 🙂
Jano Dornisch
oops……we don’t use milk…….it has to be 1/2 & 1/2……. 🙂
Mary
White Russian:
2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Kahlua
2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream
Half and Half
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so good!
My sister got me hooked on these. The first time I went to the liquor store to pick up the 3 liquors, (and I bought a cheaper Vodka) I almost croaked! $38 for the 3 liquors! And I bought them in Wisconsin, the liquor capital of the USA! If anyone goes to Mexico, pick up Kahlua there… it’s a lot cheaper!
Stephanie
I think that is a mudslide, and those are fantastic too!
Stefanie
Delicious! I put a few drops of Hershey’s syrup as well. I did not turn it into chocolate milk, we’re talking literally a few drops. Fantastic~! Thank you for this recipe!
Stephanie
I am glad you enjoyed it!
Carol Liedke
As a former bartender, using milk instead of half & half is totally UNACCEPTABLE! When a bar uses milk, they are only trying to save money. Sad.
Ted
I have tried these before in bars, but I had no idea what was in them. Thank you for the recipe.
Lori Oxley
Think I would prefer half & half as well for the Colorado Bulldog ????
Jody dorman
i prefer crown royal instead of vodka in colorado bulldogs it’s stronger and just as smooth
Steve Dave
Crown Royal is 40% ABV, the same as vodka, so no difference in strength.
Chuck
Nice… I think a Colorado bull dog is best when it’s not stirred or shaken too much. Let the different flavors drift around while you drink and get stronger as you get to the bottom of the glass.
Anonymous
using 1/2 and 1/2 is even better than just plain milk