Wine and coffee both have intense and unique flavors and are enjoyed worldwide by many people. Both are unique in their aroma and flavor, and many curious minds have wondered how they would taste if mixed together. Would it intensify the flavor and make a third drink that is even better, or should they be consumed as separate drinks?
Since wine and coffee share many health benefits on their own and are intensely flavorful and aromatic, combining them may or may not be the best idea. Let’s read to learn more.
What Is Buckfast?
Many may not have heard the term but mixing coffee and wine is really not a new concept. It dates back to the 1800s when monks in the UK started mixing wine with coffee to create what they believed was almost a supernatural drink. It got its name from the town it originated from, Buckfast Abbey in Devon.
Monks that fled from persecution in France came to Buckfast and invented the drink that has now evolved over the years to contain more flavorings, preservatives, and stronger doses of caffeine.
Coffee has popularly been mixed with milk, tea, and flavored syrups to create delicious combinations and has evolved over the years. Similarly, it is mixed with wine to create dessert wines and post-dinner brews that are enjoyed by many people.
Here are some popular wine and coffee concoctions that are in use today:
- The Gaucho
- Apothic Brew
- Merlot-Infused Coffee
- Wine-Infused Coffee
Other popular examples of alcohol mixed with caffeine that is in use today are:
- Rum and coke
- Vodka and Redbull
Coffee and Its Unique Benefits
Coffee has the following health benefits with very few side effects. But it must also be consumed in moderation.
- It lowers the risk of dementia and helps improve memory and brain function
- It helps boost energy
- It helps break down fat tissue into fatty acids
- It is a great mood lifter and helps fight depression
- It helps protect you from cancer as it contains many antioxidants
- It helps preserve beta cells in the pancreas, which help to maintain insulin that regulates blood sugar levels
- It helps suppress appetite in those looking to lose weight and prevents them from snacking on unhealthy calorie-rich foods
Wine and Its Unique Benefits
Consuming wine in moderate amounts has the following health benefits:
- It helps boost immunity
- It helps decrease cholesterol levels in the blood
- It prevents clot formation in the arteries
- It helps reduce the risk of cancer as it is rich in antioxidants which attack free radicals that cause cancer
- It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
- It helps slow down the progression of degenerative brain diseases
Is the Combination Recommended?
A wine and coffee combination is not new and dates back to the 18th century. Today it has evolved, and many different combinations exist. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of having coffee mixed with wine.
Advantages
- Some might like the flavor of wine intensified by caffeine
- It can give you a kick like nothing does
- The instant effects of the mix will make you feel extremely alert and energetic
Disadvantages
- Coffee can mask the effects of alcohol, making you feel sober and postponing the effects of intoxication. This can cause people to drink more and not stop when they should.
- Coffee contains caffeine which has an uplifting effect, while wine has a depressing effect. Together the effect it has on the body is confusing and deceiving. It might make you believe that you are sober and in control due to the effects of the caffeine, while you may be absolutely wasted on the wine. This can have disastrous effects and can cause dangerous accidents as people may risk driving or performing actions they shouldn’t be in that state.
- It can have damaging effects on your kidneys
- Blood that contains alcohol is devoid of oxygen and is harder to pump by the heart. It creates high arterial blood pressure and thins out the capillaries. Adding caffeine to the mix can triple the strain on the heart, making it a critical situation. This can have disastrous effects on the heart, especially in someone suffering from heart disease.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Drinking too much can make you dehydrated and make you pass urine a lot. The symptoms of dehydration include:
- Passing dark-colored urine
- Feeling thirsty
- Feeling dizzy
- Dry mouth
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Drinking too much without stopping can lead to alcohol poisoning, which is an emergency situation, and the sufferer must be rushed to the hospital immediately. The following are symptoms of a person suffering from alcohol poisoning:
- Feeling dehydrated and thirsty
- Feeling confused
- Looking pale
- Loss of coordination and balance
- Loss of consciousness and passing out
- Experiencing fits or seizures
- Sweaty and clammy skin
- Irregular or decreased breathing rate
Begin with Coffee, End with Wine
Since both coffee and wine have many health benefits when consumed in moderation, it is recommended to include both beverages in your daily routine. Start your day with a cup of freshly brewed coffee to prepare you for your day ahead, and end your day with a glass of wine, shoes kicked off as you wind down and get ready for bed.
Ideally, it’s best to avoid mixing the two, but if you do occasionally like to indulge in a drink combining coffee with caffeine, you must keep an eye out for how much you drink.
Conclusion
Most people who love wine and coffee would at least try the combination once out of curiosity. It must, however, be remembered that wine and coffee can be a lethal combination for those who are suffering from heart disease. Hence it is not recommended to mix the two. It is better to consume both drinks separately and in moderation.