Liqueur in a mudslide - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Liqueur in a mudslide," is a fun and straightforward trivia question that tests your knowledge of popular cocktails. These types of clues are common in crosswords and often rely on recognizing specific ingredients or brand names associated with food and drink.

Clue Analysis

The clue points directly to an ingredient in a specific mixed drink. Let's break it down:

• "Liqueur": This tells us the answer is a type of sweetened distilled spirit.
• "in a mudslide": This is the key qualifier. A Mudslide is a well-known creamy cocktail. The solver needs to recall its recipe.

The puzzle is asking for the name of the specific liqueur that gives the Mudslide its characteristic flavor profile, which is often coffee or chocolate-like.

Thinking Approaches

There are a few ways to tackle this clue:

1. Direct Recall: If you're a cocktail enthusiast or have worked as a bartender, you might instantly know the recipe for a Mudslide. The classic recipe includes vodka, an Irish cream liqueur (like Bailey's), and a coffee liqueur. The most famous brand of coffee liqueur fits the bill perfectly.

2. Flavor Association: Even if you don't know the exact recipe, the name "Mudslide" suggests rich, dark, and sweet flavors, like chocolate or coffee. What is the most prominent brand of coffee-flavored liqueur? This line of thinking will likely lead you to the correct answer.

3. Using Crossings: If you're unsure, getting a few letters from intersecting clues is a great strategy. The answer is a six-letter brand name. Seeing a 'K' at the beginning or a 'UA' at the end would be a massive help in jogging your memory.

Background Context

The Mudslide is a dessert cocktail, often served frozen or on the rocks. While recipes vary, its core components are vodka, Irish cream, and a coffee liqueur.

The answer to this clue is Kahlua, a coffee-flavored liqueur originating in Veracruz, Mexico. It's made with rum, sugar, and arabica coffee, giving it a distinctively rich taste. Kahlua is a staple in many other famous cocktails, most notably the White Russian, which saw a surge in popularity thanks to the film The Big Lebowski.

Conclusion

This clue is a great example of how general knowledge, particularly in the culinary world, can be a huge asset in crossword solving. By connecting the name of the cocktail to its primary flavor profile, solvers can deduce the specific brand name required, even without knowing the exact recipe by heart.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This liqueur is known for its coffee flavor.
2. Hint 2: It's a key ingredient in other famous cocktails like the White Russian and Black Russian.
3. Hint 3: The brand originates from Mexico.
4. Hint 4: Its name starts with the same letter as "kitchen" or "koala".

The answer to "Liqueur in a mudslide" is KAHLUA.