Mind Eraser Cocktail: Impossible to Forget
We have vague memories of drinking Mind Eraser cocktails back in the 1990s, a decade after the layered cocktail was a star at NYC discotheques and lounges around the world.
However, now that we’ve crafted Mind Erasers at home, we can’t forget the caffeinated cocktail with stark similarities to the Black Russian.
What Is a Mind Eraser?
It would be easy to call the Mind Eraser a fizzy Black Russian or a Black Russian with bubbles since that’s essentially what it is. But not exactly.
Yes, the Mind Eraser drink starts with the Black Russian’s two ingredients, coffee liqueur and vodka, and adds soda water to the mix. But, unlike the Black Russian, the Mind Eraser’s ingredients are layered. Plus, it’s typically served with a straw.
In other words, the Mind Eraser is its own tasty thing.
History of the Mind Eraser
It seems that the inventor of the Mind Eraser has been erased from cocktail history.
We can easily trace the Black Russian’s creation to Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels back in 1949. But we don’t know who layered the Black Russian’s two liquors while finishing the resulting cocktail with fizzy water.
Did that barman or barwoman come up with the Mind Eraser’s name, and did he or she serve the original Mind Eraser with a straw? We simply do not know the answers to these questions. Does it really matter? No, it does not.
Ingredients
The Mind Eraser’s ingredient list is so short that assembling them shouldn’t hurt your brain. In fact, we won’t be surprised if you already have the following required ingredients:
How to Craft a Mind Eraser Cocktail
Start this recipe by adding ice to a lowball glass.
Measure the coffee liqueur and pour it into the ice-filled glass. We use a Japanese jigger to measure this and other cocktail ingredients to ensure accurate measurements and avoid spillage.
Float the vodka by slowly pouring the clear liquor onto the back side of a bar spoon. This floating approach creates a vodka layer on top of the coffee liqueur.
Top the glass with fizzy water by floating the fizzy water on the back of a spoon just like you did when you floated the vodka.
No garnishes are necessary, though you’ll want to add a short straw both for decoration and sipping.
Variations
If your mind is up to the challenge, mix things up by trying the following Mind Eraser variations:
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur
- 2 ounces fizzy water
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice halfway to the top.
- Pour coffee liqueur into the glass.
- Slowly pour vodka into the glass by floating the vodka on the back of a spoon.
- Top the drink with fizzy water that you float on the back of the same spoon.
- Serve with a straw.
Notes
- You can use either club soda or sparkling water in this recipe.
- Do not stir the cocktail as this will negate the layering effect.
What is a Mind Eraser cocktail?
A Mind Eraser is basically a fizzy Black Russian that’s crafted in layers.
Where was the Mind Eraser invented?
What are the ingredients in a Mind Eraser?
Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Fizzy Water and Ice Cubes.
What’s the best vodka for a Mind Eraser?
Any vodka will work in the Mind Eraser recipe. We recommend using your favorite vodka.
Is Mind Eraser shaken or stirred?
The Mind Eraser is neither shaken nor stirred.
What’s the best glass for a Mind Eraser?
We like to serve this cocktail in a lowball glass, but a highball glass would work too.
Will the Mind Eraser really erase your mind?
No. The Mind Eraser will not erase your mind unless you drink too many of the tasty tipples. As always, moderation is the way to go when imbibing Mind Eraser cocktails.