Mmmm, I love me some Kahlua. When I have the money to drink something other than water-beers, I am very likely to spend it on White Russians. (Note the plural). There's something strangely comforting-- and scarily addictive-- about Kahlua drinks. They're sweet, they're smooth.... you finish one, and it's just natural you'd want another! It all seems so harmless, really.
Unfortunately for me, my experience with Kahlua was ruined a few years ago when a casual acquaintance of mine saw me in a bar with a White Russian in hand. "Is that a white russian?" he asked with a sneer. I nodded sheepishly as he continued, "You realize you're drinking milk in a bar? That's the cheesiest drink anyone could ever order." His two cute friends nodded their heads, somewhat sympathetically, in agreement. Then the three of them turned on their heels and walked away, apparently trying to escape the stigma of being associated with such a drinking loser as myself.
It took me a long time after that before I was able to shrug it off and order another White Russian. My eventual returning to the drink was inevitable, though, because it's just so undeniably good!!!
Taste
Like I said, Kahlua tastes like chocolate to me. It's very sweet. I don't taste the supposed coffee flavoring at all. One of my favorite drinks is a White Russian minus the vodka. (I'm sure there's a name for this, I just don't know what!) Kahlua and milk tastes just like chocolate milk but with a kick that Nestle's Quick just doesn't have!! Actually, Kahlua and milk tastes more like a chocolate malt. The perfect drink before bedtime. And it puts you right to sleep if you pour enough Kahlua in there! I have never tried Kahlua just by itself though. I have a feeling it would be kind of unpleasant and strong.
Color
I hate the color of Kahlua. Especially in the aforementioned kahlua/milk drink. It's dark brown and nasty looking (sewer comes to mind?) I therefore always try to drink it in a dark glass so I won't have to look at it! Maybe this also explains why I don't drink it by itself!
Strength
Kahlua really doesn't do much for me when it's all by itself and not mixed with some other alcohol.... unless, of course, I drink it in large quantities. Give me a White Russian, though, and watch out!!! The bartenders I know tend to make it heavy on the Kahlua and vodka-- with almost no mixer-- even though I didn't really order it that way. Yep, that'll do it right there.
Versatility
Kahlua isn't the most versatile thing in the world, or maybe I just haven't been exposed to enough of its possibilities. It've already stated that it's good in milk. It's excellent in coffee (though, I, personally, don't like the idea of getting buzzed off of a coffee drink-- talk about wimpy-- so I avoid this whenever possible). Sometimes I like to pour it over ice cream, too, when I'm feeling a little fun. Ha. And I've discovered that it's also really good in eggnog. I actually prefer it to rum. Try this during the next holiday season!
Respect Factor
I include this in all of my alcohol reviews because, as the opening story illustrates, you can expose yourself to a lot of ridicule by drinking a perceived sissy drink in public. And, as I've learned, Kahlua drinks are indeed perceived sissy drinks. I don't really care about this anymore, to be honest. But if drinking reputation matters to you-- and you aim to look tough-- you might want to contain your Kahlua drinking to the safety and anonymity of your own home!!!
Overall
Overall, I really do like Kahlua. If I'm in the mood for lots of drinking, it can be a little too sweet to just drink and drink and drink. But if I want just a taste or if I want to call it an early evening, Kahlua's the way to go. Have a White Russian, and, if it's mixed right, you'll definitely get your money's worth!!!
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