Jentri Colello
The Laurel Tavern, 2505 Monroe St., is a quintessential neighborhood place where everybody knows your name. It’s gone through some remodels over the years, but staff and patrons feel familiar all the same. While the bar has an extensive tap list, there’s something about drinking a Colorado Bulldog here that just feels right.
The Colorado Bulldog is a twist on the classic White Russian: Coffee-flavored liqueur (like Kahlua) is joined by vodka and cream. But the Colorado Bulldog is finished with a splash of cola, lightening the drink a bit and giving it a fizzy kick.
At the Laurel, the Colorado Bulldog comes in a highball glass with crushed ice and is finished with Pepsi. It tastes like chocolate milk and has no discernible taste of alcohol, making it a bit dangerous. If you used to love to chug chocolate milk along with your grilled cheese, pickles and fries, order this drink with one of the Laurel’s burgers or grilled cheese sandwiches. Not much will seem to have changed, except for the alcohol content.
We all know comfort food. If the beverage world had a “comfort drink” equivalent to a homemade casserole, it might just be a Colorado Bulldog at the Laurel.
