Is vodka good in coffee?
In this text we will answer the question: “Is vodka good in coffee?”. In addition, we will discuss the dangers of mixing alcohol with caffeine. Furthermore, we will show you some recipes for vodka with coffee.
Is vodka good in coffee?
Vodka and some vodka-based liqueurs are excellent combinations with coffee.
Vodka is a popular, colorless, almost tasteless distilled beverage with an alcohol content of between 35 and 60%. Vodka is the national drink of Russia. The name vodka is the diminutive of water in several Slavic languages, however the etymological origin is not sure, which could be just a coincidence.
There are several factors that affect the flavor characteristics of coffee, including body, sweetness and aroma. In addition, coffee has natural smells that refer to flowers, teas, chocolate, vanilla, breads, cheeses and much more.
Because of this, the combination of coffee and vodka becomes an excellent choice to bring a little alcohol to this drink so appreciated around the world.
How to make drinks with coffee and vodka?
Making drinks with coffee and vodka is very simple and we will present some recipes in this text.
Espresso martini
The most famous drink with these two is the Espresso Martini, created by Dick Bradsell in 1938.
Ingredients
- 60 milliliters of espresso coffee at room temperature
- A shot of vodka
- Two ice cubes
- 1/2 dose of coffee liqueur
Preparation method
- Place the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake well
- The main feature of this drink is the creamy foam that forms on top of it
- To achieve this you will have to shake the cocktail shaker well
- You can also make a decoration with coffee beans, it gives a super charm on top of the foam
Creamy Russian Coffee
If you are a fan of hot coffee, know that it can surprise you in a sensational cold version: the Russian iced coffee! Made with ingredients that make this drink creamy and tasty, the drink lives up to its name by taking nothing less than vodka in its composition.
Ingredients
- A shot of vodka
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- A dose of milk
- Two shots of coffee
- Two tablespoons of sugar
- Whipped cream to taste and optional
Preparation method
- Place the vodka, sugar, coffee and cream in a cocktail shaker and shake well
- Pour the drink into a glass of your choice and finish with a layer of whipped cream
Can you mix coffee with alcohol and be fine?
The mixture of caffeine and alcohol is dangerous and there are no indications of consumption for these two substances together. Caffeine is a stimulant that, by blocking a substance called adenosine, leaves the body in a state of alert and makes us feel less tired.
At first, alcohol, by releasing dopamine, also works as a stimulant, but it does not create a state of alertness.
On the contrary, after initial ingestion, alcohol releases GABA, a substance that results in sedation, making people tired and sleepy.
The risk of combining caffeine with alcohol increases when, by combining these two substances, your brain creates a false sense of security and fitness, leaving you to think you are more awake and less drunk, which, in fact, you are not.
Does coffee lessen the effects of alcohol?
Yes, coffee lessens the effects of alcohol. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant because it reduces its activity by making it difficult for messages to pass between neurons in the brain.
It is not known exactly why this happens, but it is believed that alcohol changes the composition of the membrane of neurons, making it difficult for the transmission of nerve impulses. This makes the person drowsy, unbalanced and without motor coordination.
The caffeine present in coffee has the exact opposite effect. It intensifies the passage of these neuronal messages, mitigating the effect caused by drinking alcoholic beverages. To reduce the effect of drinking, coffee should be ingested without sugar, as this substance makes it difficult for the body to absorb caffeine, impairing its action.
As caffeine is a stimulant, theoretically it can reduce the feeling of drowsiness and headache caused by alcohol intoxication (hangover), especially if the drink is sweetened, as sugar is a source of energy.
But remember: the liver, responsible for the metabolism of all alcohol ingested, can only process a limited amount of alcohol per hour. So, the effects of a hangover can take a few hours to wear off and coffee is not able to speed up the process of metabolizing alcohol.
Thus, in case of excessive alcohol consumption, it is essential to drink plenty of water and juice to stay hydrated.
Other FAQs about Vodka that you may be interested in.
How much is a bottle of vodka?
Can you freeze 60-proof vodka?
Conclusion
In this text we answered the question: “Is vodka good in coffee?”. In addition, we discussed the dangers of mixing alcohol with caffeine. Furthermore, we showed you some recipes for vodka with coffee.
