Brave Bull Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/26/21
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Brave Bull Cocktail in a glass

The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Brave Bull is the tequila version of a Black Russian and if you enjoy that simple drink, you will find this one to be just as enjoyable. The drink is, quite simply, tequila and Kahlua and a fantastic sipper for happy hour or dessert.

The combination of tequila and coffee liqueur is a great one as the two flavors are natural companions. As with many vodka-turned-tequila cocktails, there is an extra flavor dimension that only the agave of tequila can bring to the mix. We've seen it in the Bloody Maria, the tequila screwdriver, as well as the tequila collins, and tequila certainly does not disappoint in the Brave Bull.

"The Brave Bull is further proof that coffee goes with almost everything. Coffee and tequila have an exceptional kinship of earth notes. The funky herbaceous quality of agave and the dry sweetness of coffee make for a tantalizing pair. This recipe is bully proof that your bottle of coffee liqueur has many uses." —Sean Johnson

Brave Bull Cocktail Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Blanco tequila and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur in shot glasses

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

  2. Pour the tequila into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.

    Tequila in an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

  3. Add the coffee liqueur. Swirl the glass gently a few times to lightly mix the ingredients. Serve.

    Brave Bull Cocktail in a glass with ice

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

3 Tequilas to Try in the Brave Bull

The simplicity of the Brave Bull calls for careful consideration of the ingredients. Most of you will choose Kahlua, so it's just a matter of choosing the tequila.

This doesn't have to be your best blanco tequila, but it also shouldn't be the worst on the liquor shelf. With only two ingredients in the recipe, a bad tequila will show and it might prevent you from enjoying the drink in its true light. Opt for a decent blanco (or upgrade to a reposado) that you wouldn't mind sipping on its own.

  • Corazon Blanco Tequila - This is recommended for almost any tequila cocktail. Their aged tequilas are preferred and the richness of this brand from Los Altos region of Jalisco sets it apart from many of its counterparts. You will spend around $30 for a bottle and it is worth every penny.

  • Corralejo Blanco Tequila - For less than $30, you will enjoy the crisp taste of this tequila in any of your favorite drinks. It is bottled straight off the copper pot still and is what the distiller calls 'The Truth' because it is so true to the flavor and spirit of tequila.

  • 1800 Silver Tequila - You can find this tequila in almost any liquor store and its priced right around $20. This is a fantastic choice for your everyday tequila drinks because it has a clean taste and is affordable for most budgets.

How Strong Is the Brave Bull?

The Brave Bull is made with minimal mixing in a similar way that you might enjoy a scotch on the rocks. That makes the dilution of the two liqueurs insignificant and because of that, this is a rather strong drink.


In fact, if you pour an 80-proof tequila, the Brave Bull comes down to just below the bottling proof, somewhere around 31 percent ABV (62 proof). It is a delicious drink but it's also one that can bite you if you're not careful.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
235 Calories
0g Fat
11g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 235
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 12mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)