National Kahlúa Day
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: two coffee merchants, a chemist, and a financier walk into a bar… and decided that, with their powers combined, they could make a killer liqueur. And they did. Kahlúa was born in 1936, in Veracruz, Mexico and has become the number one coffee liqueur in the world!Today is National Kahlúa Day, so let’s get those cocktail shakers handy and get our Sweatpants & Coffee liqueur on, shall we?
It really ties the cocktail together.
Full disclosure, here: I have no idea why February 27th was chosen to celebrate the silky coffee liqueur. Not a one. I can only assume that someone in marketing at Kahlúa got the ball rolling but I don’t actually know who organized the first National Kahlúa Day either. Whoever you are: thank you! I will not argue about a whole day that celebrates the union of two of my favorite potables: coffee and booze.
I will absolutely take that potent potable, Alex.
Kahlúa combines three ingredients that grow right there in Veracruz: sugarcane, vanilla, and—of course—coffee. Although vanilla is the only one of the three that is endemic to Veracruz, both sugarcane and coffee had been cultivated—shamefully, that cultivation was by forced labor for a significant period of time—in the area for hundreds of years by the time the idea was Kahlúa dreamed up. Because coffee cherries take so long to mature, it takes about seven years to produce a bottle of the creamy liqueur.
You bet it is, Bruce!
There have been a number of landmark moments in Kahlúa’s history: 1940, when it was exported to the United States; 1948, when a bartender in Brussels created a signature cocktail for Perle Mesta and her extravagant parties—the black Russian; 1955, when some brilliant yahoo out in Oakland, California decided to add cream to the black Russian to create the white Russian, AKA Belarusian, AKA the Dude’s “Caucasian.” My favorite bit of Kahlúa’s story occurred in the 1960s, when, under the leadership of Maria del Pilar Gutierrez Sesma, its entire executive team consisted of women—a rarity now, in 2023, let alone during the Eisenhower administration!
We still desperately need more women in leadership roles, especially women of color.
Of course, we can’t talk about Kahlúa without talking about the dedicated fanbase it acquired by way of 1998 cult classic, The Big Lebowski! The sleeper Coen brothers’ film happens to be one of my favorite movies—shout out to my college roommate for introducing me to it—and the Dude’s dedication to the white Russian is a thing of beauty, down to his using powdered creamer to get his fix …it’s not unlike my dedication to coffee. In 2014, Kahlúa and Jeff Bridges nodded to the Dude, as well as a few other Coen stories, in a part ad/part short film called The White Russian which maintains that Coen brothers-esque fever dream quality.
The Dude abides—“takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners.” As does his mustache.
Now, I don’t think I could sleep at night if I didn’t share at least a few recipes to celebrate National Kahlúa Day. I’ve picked a few of my favorites, a couple I want to try, and some NA Kahlúa-esque cocktails to share with you. I hope you find one, at the very least, that tickles your fancy. To kick us off, Jeff Bridges taking on bartender duties on The Morning Joe …ten years ago—a whole ass decade?! Really?! What even is time?—to show us how to properly mix a white Russian:Should you find the Dude’s technique too …advanced—yeah, that’s the ticket—for your home bar, the white Russian recipe Kahlúa includes on their website is:1 part Kahlúa1 part vodka (they specify Absolut but any decent vodka will do)1 part heavy cream (or milk, or plant-based alternative)Pour Kahlúa and vodka over a glass of ice and then layer on the heavy cream. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!For an NA white Russian:1 part coffee syrup (or a non-alcoholic Kahlúa alternative like this or this)1 part tonic water1 part heavy cream (or milk, or plant-based alternative)Though the white Russian is my go-to, for special occasions, I am an absolute sucker for this variation on a tres leche martini that includes the coffee-y goodness of Kahlúa:6 parts sweetened condensed milk2 parts evaporated milk1 part Kahlúa1 part horchata liqueur1 part vanilla vodkaGround cinnamon and coffee beans for garnishIn a shaker full of ice, combine the first five ingredients. Shake thoroughly until chilled and frothy. Pour into a martini glass and add desired garnish.Or for a non-alcoholic version:6 parts sweetened condensed milk2 parts evaporated milk1 part coffee syrup (or a non-alcoholic Kahlúa alternative)1 part horchata1 part cream soda (or, if that is too sweet, club soda and a splash of vanilla extract)Ground cinnamon and coffee beans for garnishThis Irish cold brew combines my love of Kahlúa, Irish whiskey, and coffee. Like, there’s no way to go wrong with that!1 part Kahlúa1 part Irish whiskey (I prefer Jameson but you do you!)2 parts cold brew1 part whipped creamA splash or two of simple syrupPour cold brew, Kahlúa, and Irish whiskey into a wine glass. Top with cream.Kahlúa actually has a couple of NA recipes on their website that sound really tasty! I definitely want to check out the coffee julep mocktail. And the peanut fudge mocktail sounds like actual heaven.As for what I want to try, hovering at the top of the list is this Finnish latte coffee cocktail that I found this on the Booze on the Rocks youtube channel a few months ago. Again, Irish whiskey, Kahlúa, and coffee—this is right up my alley. What makes me really interested in trying this is making my own variations of the coffee syrup to try different twists on the drink!Now, I like to play with my coffee sometimes, messing around with spice combinations to add to my coffee as it brews. So far, my favorite is cinnamon, ground ancho, and ground cayenne. This is why I need to get my hands on a bottle of Kahlúa’s Chili Chocolate Liqueur, specifically so that I can try a chili chocolate cardigan:1 ½ parts Irish whiskey¾ part Kahlúa Chili Chocolate Liqueur¼ part cinnamon schnappsDash angostura bittersStir all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice in it.Kahlúa’s site also has a recipe for a shot called café volcano and I need it. I need to pour it into my café volcano receptacle. Like, right now.1 ½ parts Kahlúa Chili Chocolate Liqueur1 part Malibu Black1 mint leafCombine all ingredient in a shaker with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain it into a chilled shot glass. Down it!I don’t know about you but today’s sounding like a great day for an impromptu party, a good excuse to share some tasty, coffee-y, silky, Kahlúa goodness with your nearest and dearest. Or maybe, this needs to be more of a self-care day, so drink plenty of water, eat, and take your meds. Then mix yourself up an indulgent drink, draw yourself a hot bath, soak and sip and remember to unclench your jaw.Whether you’re gathered around the kitchen table with friends or sitting alone on the porch taking in the world around you, Kahlúa (or a good cold brew, if booze is not your thing) suits the mood. But regardless of whether you choose to dress it up or keep it casual, please enjoy your tasty Kahlúa delights responsibly.
Happy National Kahlúa Day!
