Christmas celebrations are almost underway as many are expected to enjoy a Baby Guinness.
As a non-drinker, I will be pretending to know what one is and explain why millions of people shouldn't be having one. It's apparently a popular shot which consists of a mix of coffee liqueur and Irish cream.
While the shot is beloved for its smooth, sweet flavour, not all ingredients are suitable for everyone.
It appears a booze company has issued a major warning last year for the UK's growing vegetarian and vegan population, urging them to double-check what’s in their festive favourite. For the 2.5 million vegans and 3.1 million vegetarians out there, you might be better off making it at home and choosing your own ingredients.
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The issue centres on the choice of coffee liqueur. A well-known one one used for the shot, Tia Maria, is considered safe, as its ingredients and manufacturing process are fully vegan-certified.
But when it comes to Kahlúa, one of the most commonly used alternatives, it apparently does not meet vegetarian or vegan standards. Weirdly, the reason isn’t just the liqueur’s ingredients, but the production process.
Pernod Ricard, Kahlúa’s parent company, confirmed that one of its sugar suppliers uses bone char filtration, a method involving animal by-products.
This means Kahlúa has been unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans since 2016, though many consumers remain unaware.
With Baby Guinness shots and espresso martinis set to flow this festive season, anyone following plant-based diets is urged to check labels before raising a toast.
"We can clarify that Kahlúa is not directly manufactured with any animal derivatives," a spokesperson from Kahlúa's parent company Pernod Ricard said last 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 added last year: "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."
To make a vegan Baby Guinness, mix Tia Maria or another vegan coffee liqueur with a vegan Irish cream like Baileys Almande.
Pour the cream over a spoon to create the classic layered look.
Happy drinking!
Topics: Christmas, Food And Drink, Vegan, Vegetarian
Anish Vij