Mind Eraser Shot

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Sounds dangerous, but the Mind Eraser Shot is a relaxing way to unwind after a long day.

Tonight’s recipe is a miniature version of the popular 1980s club scene cocktail, the Mind Eraser. Despite the somewhat terrifying-sounding name, the delightful mixture of vodka, coffee liqueur and club soda is a tasty, beautifully bitter and refreshing tipple. Inspired by the classic Black Russian drink invented in the 1940s, the Mind Eraser proved to be a popular and trendy beverage during the glammed-up and glitzy era of New Wave music and Cold War paranoia. Having a somewhat hazy and muddled history, not unlike its name suggests, the Mind Eraser has remained a cocktail stalwart, further cemented by another offshoot, the White Russian.

One of the fun things about many a mixed drink is that they can be scaled down and served as individual shooters, just like the one we’re looking at today, the Mind Eraser Shot. Featuring only half an ounce each of vodka, coffee liqueur and club soda, this little drink is a nice and powerful blast of potency and flavor.

But what occasion would call for having shots instead of their bigger counterparts? Well, maybe you and your guests are enjoying any number of different drinks, and the shots could just be a way to have everyone at the party gather around while somebody proposes a toast. You could be having a themed get-together, or even a “tasting” of sorts. The latter is actually a great idea. If you’re unsure of what full-sized drinks to make and serve, you can whip up the shot version and try out a few different beverages.

And sometimes, you just want a shot.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Mind Eraser Shot?

I prefer to use an unflavored spirit when mixing vodka into a cocktail. It’s a fantastic mixer that takes on and embodies some of the flavors and notes that it blends with, helping to create a balanced and perfect sipping experience. If you want a sweeter shot, pick a vanilla vodka to make your shooters with. For the coffee liqueur, there are some fantastic and reliable options available at your liquor store, such as Kahlúa and Mr. Black’s cold brew liqueur. Or you can try your hand at making your own at home with our Coffee Liqueur recipe.

What glassware is used?

You’ll want to chill your shot glass or glasses in the freezer for around 15 minutes before prepping and serving your little Mind Erasers.

What is the best club soda to use in this shot?

That’s up to you, and what you prefer. For a nice, balanced fizz, a Canada Dry or Schweppes will do nicely, and I’m a big fan of Fever-Tree, so that’s what I go for. If you’d like a more robust effervescence, try a mineral water like Topo Chico.

Other Shots Worth Trying

I mentioned earlier that trying out a few different shots is a great way of taste-testing a new cocktail or two. There are a number of shots that are miniaturized versions of their larger siblings already, but even if you’re looking for something that doesn’t offer a “Pym Particle”-sized variant, you can use some of these recipes below as a guide.

• Tequila Sunrise Shot – A little gulp of sunshine is in this tequila and orange juice mixture.
• Kamikaze Shot – Curious to give the Kamikaze a taste? Try the shot version.
• Champagne Jell-O Shots – Keep the flutes in the cupboard and have a few of these instead.
• Margarita Jell-O Shots – Here’s another small-scale classic cocktail in jiggly form.