Red eye (drink)

A red eye is a fortified coffee drink in which espresso is combined with normal drip brew coffee.^[1] It is known by various names, some of which refer to different variants.

Variants

Drip coffee to which espresso is added may be called a red eye, black eye, or dead eye, depending on the number of shots which has been added.

While "black eye" was named for the appearance of the circular black marking caused by pouring the shot on the top of the cup of coffee with cream, the "red eye" was named for the extra added zip needed to stay awake through an overnight "red eye" flight from the West Coast to New York.

A weaker variant on the drink is the "lazy eye" - a shot of espresso is added to decaffeinated coffee.

Alternative names

The red eye has many monikers, depending on the region.

• In Alaska, it is known as a "sludge cup," possibly in reference to the state's large petroleum industry (see oil sludge).^[2][3]
• In the Pacific Northwest, a single and double shot is known as a "shot in the dark" and a "double shot in the dark" respectively.^[4]
• At Dunkin Donuts the drink is known as a "turbo", and is available ether hot or iced.^[5]

See also

• Boilermaker – a shot of whiskey added to beer

References