Episode 30: Kahlúa

Episode 30 features Kahlúa. The famous coffee liqueur, it is bottled at 20% ABV, or 40 proof.

Enjoy this episode with some Kahlúa straight, chilled, over ice cream in a Black or White Russian, or in a Spanish Coffee!

Kahlúa official website: https://www.kahlua.com/us/

Brief Historical Timeline:

1936 - Created in Veracruz, Mexico
1940s - Kahlúa introduced to the US Market
1953 - Jules Berman secures the US bottling rights and begins marketing
1955 - The White Russian is invented in Oakland, California
1964 - Hirman Walker and Sons takes over in the US
1970s - Considerable marketing efforts are put behind Kahlúa
1989 - Hirman Walker and Allied Domecq, the Mexican manufacturer, merge
1998 - The Big Lebowski movie debuts, co-starring the White Russian
2004 - Proof drops from 53 to 40, except for Ohio that settles at 43
2005 - Pernod Ricard acquires Kahlúa via merger
2007 - Packaging is updated
2019 - Worldwide case sales are 1.9 million 9 liter equivalent

Key Cocktails:

Any way you like Kahlúa is a good way!

Huber's Restaurant Spanish Coffee is my favorite, see it made in this YouTube video, then try it yourself:

Spanish Coffee:

3/4 oz 151-Proof Rum

1/4 oz Triple Sec

1 1/2 oz Kahlúa

3 oz Coffee

Garnish with lightly whipped cream and grated nutmeg

Rum a lemon wedge around the rim of a glass, then coat with sugar. Add rum and triple sec, ignite and slowly turn the glass to caramelize the sugar. Add Kahlúa, then coffee while the drink is still alight. Extinguish with the cream floated gently on top. Garnish with nutmeg and serve.

References:

Wikipedia article on Kahlúa

Imbibe Magazine article on Huber's Spanish Coffee

YouTube Promotional Film from the 1970s

1990 article on Kahlúa marketing

Ohio higher proof explanation

Article referencing Kahlúa's founders

YouTube Video - The Dude Explains the Perfect White Russian

Contact Information:

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