It’s one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the United Kingdom, with countless more set to be drank as Christmas finally arrives.
But it comes with a significant warning to millions of Brits who are partial to the odd micro glass of the black stuff.
Unless you have been living under a rock, no, Baby Guinness is not the same as the product made by Arthur Guinness way back in 1759.
It’s actually something you can easily make at home, unlike a creamy pint of the original drink it’s named after.
Created in a shot glass, it it made up primarily of coffee liqueur before being topped with Irish cream. And voila, you’ve got something looking a lot like a tiny glass of Guinness (if you can pour it correctly, anyway).
It’s incredibly fun and is god damn delicious, so it is no surprise it’s loved by millions across the country.
But for those saying slainte before knocking one back, better check what coffee liqueur is being used.
That’s only if you’re a vegetarian or vegan; of which there are around 5.6 million.
Unfortunately for those who follow either of these lifestyles, one of the major coffee liqueur brands in the UK does not fit into said lifestyle.
You’re all good if you’re on the Tia Maria, which uses coffee beans, cane spirit, vanilla, and sugar alongside a ‘vegan-certified’ supply and manufacturing process.
Sorry if you’ve been having Kahlua, though; it doesn’t not hold either vegan or vegetarian status.
It’s not to do with the ingredients. Rather, the creation process.
“We can clarify that Kahlúa is not directly manufactured with any animal derivatives,” a spokesperson from Kahlúa’s parent company Pernod Ricard said this year.
“However, it’s important to note that a bone char filtration process, which does involve contact with animal derivatives, is employed by one of our sugar suppliers during refinement.
“This widely accepted practice in the sugar industry currently prevents us from categorising Kahlúa as suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.”
Kahlúa has in fact not been vegan since 2016; although it’s clear not everyone was aware going by reaction on social media.
In an additional statement from earlier this year, Kahlúa explained: “We can confirm that Kahlúa is NOT suitable for vegetarians or vegans. This is because of the sugar refinement.
“It appears there was some confusion as, prior to 2016, Kahlúa was deemed suitable. At this time, Kahlúa is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.”
Kahlúa is also used by some in espresso martinis, so you better check next time you order one.
