Baileys and Coke: Truth about whether you should never mix these drinks finally revealed

Alcohol is certainly one of the most talked about subjects surrounded by myths and other urban legends. Such as: eating before drinking means we'll be less drunk, alcohol is a kind of booster before going on stage, and alcohol aids artistic expression. All this is, most of the time, false.

Myths around alcohol

That said, there is also some truth to the common adages. The famous 'a glass of water for a glass of alcohol' is certainly not the miracle cure for a hangover, but hydrating your brain (in the face of alcohol-induced dehydration) will limit the horrible headaches of the day after the party.

But there are other legends that are both true and false. Do you know the one about Baileys and Coke, for example?

Baileys + Coke = Cement?

It is said at parties for young people in the prime of their lives that you MUST NOT mix these two drinks. At the risk of... Dying outright! So, is it really not advisable to mix Irish cream and Coca Cola? The answer is right here.

The truth is that the claim is mostly false but still based on a hint of truth. Let's see why:

If you don't know this urban legend yourself, first of all you should know that Baileys and Coke is indeed said to be deadly because when it combines in the stomach it will apparently create cement. Indeed, there is even a shot made with Baileys called the 'Cement Mixer'.

But this is not the real problem. In fact, it all comes from the casein, which is present in the Irish cream. Casein is a protein found in milk and other dairy products that give them their white colour.

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The chemical reaction in the stomach

Indeed, the casein will oppose the phosphoric acid present in Coke. To be more precise, the casein in Baileys, in an acidic environment, will uncoil, thus releasing its hydrophobic compounds which, in wanting to escape the water in the Coke, will coagulate rapidly between them and form, not cement, but a dense matter close to cottage cheese.

This curdling, which is not fatal, will still prevent you from enjoying the evening to the full and... Give you a hard time during digestion. It is likely that your trip to the toilet will not be a smooth one.

So ideally, reserve Baileys for a cocktail with milk and ice. It's safer. But be careful not to overdo the milk and especially the alcohol. To be consumed in moderation, of course.

This article has been translated from Gentside FR.