Look no further for the perfect cocktail to serve at your next party: the classic White Russian Recipe. This drink delivers major dessert vibes, making it the perfect dinner drink that every bartender should know.
We love this cocktail for holiday entertaining when decadent dining is at its peak, but it's perfect for any time of year. With its rich and creamy flavor and less than 2 minutes to whip up, it will satisfy every sweet tooth with class. If you are looking for more crowd-favorite cocktails and recipes, check out our entertaining playlist next!
HISTORY OF A WHITE RUSSIAN
A White Russian cocktail is a made with vodka, Kahlua, and heavy cream, served on the rocks. And if you thought this drink was originated in Russia, think again! The White Russian was actually born in Belgium, according to Mashed.com.
So, why name a cocktail "White Russian" if it's not from Russia? It's allll about vodka. Vodka cocktails became super popular in the '50s and '60s thanks to the renowned James Bond and the drinks featured in his movies.
Turns out, the name White Russian and subsequently, the Black Russian (like the White Russian, minus the cream) were named from the literal descriptors of their ingredients -- white (or black) Russian vodka and cream.
It became popular again in the '90s after the movie “The Big Lebowski” made it a hit as the favorite drink of the main character, the Dude.
WHITE RUSSIAN INGREDIENTS
The White Russian is a three-ingredient cocktail, which means each one plays an important role.
Kahlua | Kahlua is a rum-based coffee liqueur that tastes like sweet, boozy black coffee. This will be the main flavor in your White Russian, but you'll still want to be mindful of the vodka you purchase.
It is made in Mexico and is made of rum, sugar, arabica coffee, and vanilla bean. Kahlua has a sweet and rich flavor, with a hint of spice and a smooth texture. It contains an alcohol content of 16% and 100mg of caffeine, according to Kahlua.com.
Vodka | No need to reach for the top-shelf when it comes to vodka for a White Russian. But you will taste the vodka in this cocktail recipe, so don't grab for the bottom of the barrel either. A nice, middle-of-the-road price point is right where you want to be when deciding on the vodka for this cocktail -- about $15-20 per 750ml-bottle range is right where you want to be.
Cream | White Russians are traditionally made with heavy cream, which results in a thick, rich cocktail. If you're counting calories, you can sub in half and half, which has less milk fat but is still rich in flavor. An even lighter version can be made with whole milk, although the lack of fat will result in a thin and somewhat deluded cocktail. Keep in mind, the less milk fat in the cocktail, the boozier it will taste so most certainly steer clear of the skim milk.
HOW TO MAKE A WHITE RUSSIAN COCKTAIL
This delicious creamy cocktail recipe only takes two minutes to put together! No cocktail shaker or mixing glass necessary, either. Simple!
Fill a rocks glass with ice and add the vodka and coffee liqueur. Pour in the cream and stir to combine. Make sure you stir well if you don't want a mouthful of vodka. You want these ingredients well blended and the Kahlua to be full force.
WHITE RUSSIAN VARIATIONS
Pumpkin Spice White Russian | To add fall-spice flavor to a White Russian, swap out the cream for 2 ounces of pumpkin spice coffee creamer.
Peppermint White Russian | Need to add a little Christmas spirit to your cocktail? No problem. Cut 1 ounce of vodka from the recipe below, add 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps, and that's all there is to it.
Bailey's White Russian | Skip the cream and use Bailey's instead. Watch out -- this one's boozy!
If you enjoy a White Russian, then you'll love the Colorado Bulldog or a Mudslide.
6 MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
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Chocolate Martini Recipe
Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipe
White Russian
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
- 1 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
- Have ready a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Add the vodka, Kahlua, and cream and stir to combine.
- Garnish with a cherry, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Sources:
- Mock, Nancy. “The Surprising Origin Story behind the White Russian.” Mashed, 15 Apr. 2021, www.mashed.com/383825/the-surprising-origin-story-behind-the-white-russian/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
- “Frequently Asked Questions - Kahlúa.” Https://Www.kahlua.com/En-Gb/, www.kahlua.com/en-gb/faq/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
Steve says
Consider adding a dash or two of chocolate bitters, and topping the cocktail with a grating of nutmeg! Yum!