A popular cocktail from the club scene of the 1980s, the vodka and Kahlúa-based Mind Eraser is anything but forgettable.
If tonight’s cocktail has you a tad worried about its ability to completely squish your mind grapes into some sort of mushy, lumpy wine, fear not! The Mind Eraser might have an intimidating-sounding moniker, but one or two probably won’t make you forget your name. If you’re out on the town and forget your date’s name, however… well, that’s on you and not the cocktail.
If you’ve ever had a Black Russian, or a White Russian, you’re already somewhat familiar with the Mind Eraser. Whereas the Black Russian is made by simply combining vodka and coffee liqueur, and the White Russian adds cream to that mix, the Mind Eraser tops off the vodka and coffee ingredients with club soda. So basically, this beverage is a sparkling Black Russian.
While the Black Russian has been around since the 1940s, the Mind Eraser found popularity during the fast and glitzy days of the 1980s. Nobody is sure who came up with this particular drink, or who named it. And as we all know, sometimes even the most famous of cocktails will have a hazy history. But is it more important to have a concise record of a cocktail’s creation, or having the cocktail itself? I’m a history buff, so I’m always keen to learn where each tipple I treat myself to comes from. And if that’s lost to time, I’ll use my imagination.
The best part about making a Mind Eraser is that you don’t have to fantasize about it… our recipe below tells you how to prep one for yourself. And if by some strange chance you do have a few things erased upstairs, you can always come back here for a quick refresher.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Mind Eraser?
You’ll need vodka and coffee liqueur for the boozy components of this drink. Kahlúa is the most popular and widely available regarding the latter ingredient, but there are other brands out there vying for some shelf space in your home. You can’t go wrong with Kahlúa, but don’t sleep on the other players too. As far as vodka goes, I lean towards an unflavored rye, which is both smooth and peppery. A potato-distilled vodka will have a little extra heat on the finish, so choose wisely depending on what kind of bite you’ll want.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Kahlúa
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce soda water to top
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in the Kahlúa, followed by the vodka. It's important to layer these ingredients in this order for the best flavor and experience.
- Slowly top off the glass with the soda water.
Nutrition
What glassware is used?
For the Mind Eraser, a rocks or Old Fashioned glass filled with ice will ensure your drink is easily sippable.
What is a good club soda to use?
There are a bunch of brands to choose from, all of which mix up very nicely in any cocktail. Fever Tree has become my personal favorite, as their premium mixers help elevate rather than disappear into or overwhelm any given drink.
Similar Cocktails to the Mind Eraser
Coffee and vodka speak to you. Well, not literally of course, I mean the combination appeals to your taste buds. That smooth boozy bite from the vodka mixed with the deliciously bitter caffeinated strength of the coffee tastes as though they have always belonged together. There are other drinks out there, waiting for you to try them, too. Or maybe you know them well, and just want to learn to make them at home. Either way, Twist & Toast has what you need.
- Black Russian – Vodka and Kahlúa come together in this classic tipple.
- White Russian – Add a splash of cream to your next Black Russian to make it, like, a White Russian, man.
- Espresso Martini – Shake up a Black Russian with espresso to make yourself this trendy dram.
- Frozen Mudslide – Vodka, Kahlúa, Baileys, ice cream and chocolate syrup is the perfect way to spend an evening by the fire.
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