A Black Russian does contain caffeine if it is made with Kahlúa, which is a coffee liqueur. Kahlúa is a popular ingredient in the Black Russian cocktail, along with vodka.
Kahlúa is a dark, sweet liqueur that is made from coffee beans, rum, sugar, and vanilla. One of the main flavor components of Kahlúa is coffee, which naturally contains caffeine. During the production process, the coffee beans are roasted and extracted to create the coffee flavor in the liqueur. As a result, Kahlúa contains a small amount of caffeine.
The caffeine content in Kahlúa is relatively low compared to a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverages. It is estimated to contain about 100 parts per million (ppm) of caffeine, which translates to approximately 100 milliliters of caffeine per liter of Kahlúa.
It’s worth noting that the amount of caffeine in a Black Russian cocktail will depend on the ratio of Kahlúa to vodka used in the drink. Typically, a Black Russian is made with equal parts Kahlúa and vodka, so the caffeine content will be diluted by the other ingredients. However, it is important to keep in mind that consuming multiple Black Russians could still contribute to your overall caffeine intake.
If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine or trying to limit your caffeine consumption, it may be helpful to be mindful of the amount of Kahlúa you consume in a Black Russian or consider opting for a caffeine-free alternative.
A Black Russian cocktail made with Kahlúa does contain a small amount of caffeine due to the coffee content in the liqueur. The caffeine content is relatively low compared to other caffeinated beverages, but it is still present.