A Cutwater White Russian is a canned cocktail made by Cutwater Spirits that contains vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. It is a ready-to-drink version of the classic White Russian cocktail that has gained popularity for its convenience and smooth flavor. As a canned cocktail, one of the common questions people have is how much alcohol is actually in a Cutwater White Russian. Specifically, people want to know how many shots or standard drinks are contained in each can. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the alcohol content and shot equivalents in Cutwater White Russian to help consumers understand exactly how strong these convenient canned cocktails are.
Cutwater White Russian Cocktail Overview
The Cutwater White Russian cocktail is made by the distillery Cutwater Spirits based in San Diego, California. Cutwater is known for making pre-mixed classic cocktails in slim cans for convenience and portability. Their product line includes cocktails like vodka mules, bloody marys, margaritas, and more.
The Cutwater White Russian contains their San Diego vodka which is distilled from corn. It is blended with coffee liqueur and cream to mimic the flavors of the classic White Russian cocktail. The canned cocktail is 11% alcohol by volume (ABV).
It has a smooth creamy taste with notes of vanilla, coffee, and toasted nuts. The canned cocktail was designed to be shaken before drinking to properly mix and emulsify the vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. Once poured over ice in a rocks glass, it looks and tastes like a freshly mixed White Russian.
Standard Serving Size
Each Cutwater White Russian can contains 12 fluid ounces (355ml) of cocktail. This equals approximately 1.5 standard servings of vodka or spirits.
A standard drink size in the United States is defined as any drink containing 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol. This works out to:
- 12 ounces of beer at 5% ABV
- 5 ounces of wine at 12% ABV
- 1.5 ounces (a shot) of 80-proof liquor at 40% ABV like vodka, rum, tequila, etc.
So at 11% ABV for a 12 ounce can, the Cutwater White Russian equates to 1.5 ounces of 40% spirits, or 1.5 shots.
Alcohol Content and Shot Equivalents
Now that we understand the standard drink definition, we can break down exactly how much alcohol is in a Cutwater White Russian:
- ABV: 11% alcohol by volume
- Volume: 12 fluid ounces (355ml)
- Alcohol content: 0.11 * 12 = 1.32 fluid ounces of pure alcohol
- Shot equivalents: 1.32 ounces / 0.6 oz per shot = 2.2 shots
So each 12 ounce can of Cutwater White Russian contains approximately 2.2 shots or standard drinks. This alcohol content is comparable to other pre-made canned cocktails.
It’s important to note the alcohol is diluted with coffee liqueur and cream in the Cutwater cocktail. The vodka alone would be around 40% ABV. But blended in the cans, it ends up being 11% overall ABV once you account for the added ingredients.
Table of Alcohol Content
| Cutwater White Russian | Per 12 oz Can |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11% |
| Volume | 12 oz (355ml) |
| Alcohol Content | 1.32 oz |
| Standard Drinks | 2.2 shots |
This table summarizes the key alcohol data points for a can of Cutwater White Russian. Each 12 oz can at 11% ABV contains 1.32 oz of alcohol, or 2.2 standard shot sizes.
Effects and Recommended Consumption
Understanding how many shots are in a Cutwater White Russian helps give a sense of the cocktail’s alcoholic strength. Two shots of vodka or spirits consumed quickly on an empty stomach could produce a buzz or even intoxication depending on the person’s size and tolerance.
When consuming Cutwater canned cocktails, it’s recommended to drink them slowly and not exceed one can in an hour. Eating food before or during consumption can help slow absorption. And as always, it’s important to drink responsibly by pacing yourself and not driving after drinking.
Some possible effects per can may include:
- Mild relaxation or buzz after finishing the can
- Impairment of coordination, judgment, and reasoning
- Dulled senses and reduced inhibitions
- Increased confidence, sociability, and talkativeness
But again, effects can vary widely person to person based on genetic and health factors. Consuming any alcoholic beverage comes with inherent risks. So drinking Cutwater White Russians (or any cocktail) should be done slowly, mindfully, and in moderation. Never drink excessively or when driving.
Compared to Other Cocktails
The 11% ABV and 2.2 shot content of a Cutwater White Russian is comparable to other pre-made canned cocktails. Here’s how it compares to some other popular brands:
| Cocktail | ABV | Standard Drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Cutwater White Russian | 11% | 2.2 shots |
| Basic Vodka Soda | 7% | About 1 shot |
| High Noon Vodka Soda | 4.5% | About 0.7 shots |
| White Claw Hard Seltzer | 5% | About 0.8 shots |
| Bud Light Seltzer | 5% | About 0.8 shots |
This gives a comparison of the alcohol content among popular canned cocktails. The vodka and cream in the Cutwater White Russian make it significantly stronger at 2 shots compared to most hard seltzers or vodka sodas which are usually 1 shot or less.
So in summary, the Cutwater White Russian clocks in at the higher end of alcohol content when comparing various to-go and ready drink options. It’s comparable to consuming a double shot of vodka.
Caffeine Content
In addition to the alcohol, the coffee liqueur in the Cutwater White Russian provides caffeine. Each 12 oz can contains about 85mg of caffeine.
This is equivalent to:
- About 3/4 a cup of coffee
- Approximately the same as a Red Bull energy drink
- A little more than a cup of green tea
So while not an extremely high amount of caffeine, the Cutwater White Russian does provide a light stimulant effect in addition to the alcohol. The coffee liqueur adds a hint of energy boost similar to cocktail classics like the Espresso Martini.
However, caffeine and alcohol together can potentially lead to overstimulation and increased risks of alcohol overconsumption. So enjoying the canned Cutwater White Russian responsibly is still important.
Cost Analysis
Lastly, let’s examine the cost and value proposition of Cutwater White Russian:
- Price per 4-pack: Around $15-$18 depending on location
- Cans per 4-pack: 4
- Price per can: $3.75-$4.50
- Standard drinks: 2.2 shots
- Cost per shot: Around $1.70-$2.00
Compared to buying a 750ml bottle of vodka and a bottle of coffee liqueur plus cream to make White Russians at home, the canned cocktails offer a fairly comparable cost per shot. And of course they provide much more convenience without any prep.
Overall, Cutwater White Russians deliver an easy drinking experience resembling a freshly mixed cocktail, with a slightly premium price point fairly typical of pre-made canned cocktails. Based on cost per standard drink, consumers receive good value for the convenience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, within each 12 ounce can of Cutwater White Russian there are approximately 2.2 shots or standard drinks. This totals 1.32 fluid ounces of alcohol at an ABV of 11%.
The combination of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream makes for a smoother tasting cocktail versus straight vodka. However, the multiple shots of alcohol make it a stronger drink comparable to taking a double shot of vodka.
Enjoying Cutwater White Russians responsibly by sipping over time, alternating with water or food, and not overconsuming is important. Overall it provides a convenient on-the-go cocktail experience at a typical price point for pre-made canned beverages.