The White Russian is a decadent and surprisingly easy-to-make cocktail. Combining vodka, Kahlúa and cream and serving the crowd-pleasing drink on the rocks creates a delicious alternative to adult milkshakes.
It tastes like a creamy and delicious iced coffee with a kick. The alcohol flavor is not overpowering because of the sugar and sweetness of Kahlua and the richness of the cream that’s added on top. It’s perfect for those that love dessert cocktails like an Espresso Martini, Irish Coffee, or a Chocolate Martini!
Why the White Russian Works
The simplicity of the White Russian is the centerpiece of much of the cocktail’s allure. The combination of vodka, Kahlúa and cream is so pleasurable, you could arguably wing the measurements and be rather content with the results. But there’s a magic to getting the proportions of the ingredients just right.
When making a White Russian at home, choose a decent vodka. Likewise, because the heavy cream is a core aspect of the cocktail, elect a quality cream. That is, one with which you can taste the dairy’s provenance. A little character goes a deliciously long way.
Regarding substitutes: Half-and-half can work in a pinch because it has sufficient body to bolster the drink. It isn’t an optimal choice, but it will play its part well enough. Whole milk—or any type of milk—is a hard no-go. The resulting White Russian will be thin and insipid. Remember: You’re aiming for decadence.
Stir well before serving. Yes, the streaks of brown and white in an unstirred White Russian are arresting. (Exhibit A: The photo accompanying this recipe.) Gawk and admire to your heart’s content. Just do it before you drink your White Russian. You want those three ingredients melded like they were born to intermingle—which, in truth, they kind of were.
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- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlúa
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Top with the heavy cream and stir.
The History of the White Russian
The White Russian came about in the 1960s when someone added a bit of cream to the Black Russian, rendering it white. Neither drink is actually Russian in origin—the Black Russian itself is thought to have originated in Belgium, where it was first created for a U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg. Rather, the name is simply a reference to their base spirit, vodka.
The White Russian suffered a bit from a stodgy, antiquated reputation for a number of decades, until the 1998 movie “The Big Lebowski” came along and breathed new life into the cocktail. That is, of course, thanks to Jeff Bridges’ character, the Dude, sipping it exclusively—and constantly—throughout the film’s duration.
The White Russian’s instant cultural prominence in the film’s aftermath is one of popular culture’s best drinks-related successes. One analogue would be Carrie Bradshaw’s impact on the Cosmo—but then the Cosmopolitan had only been birthed a few years before “Sex and the City” debuted. The White Russian, by comparison, had decades of dust to wipe off by the time “The Big Lebowski” rolled around.
The White Russian – history, recipe, & taste off!
FAQ
What is the Flavour of White Russian?
What drink is similar to a White Russian?
What’s the difference between a White Russian and a Black Russian?
Does milk curdle in a White Russian?
What does a White Russian taste like?
The coffee liqueur, half and half, and vodka mixture makes a White Russian taste like a creamy, boozy, adult chocolate mocha. Can you make a White Russian without Kahlúa? You can make a White Russian without Kahlúa, but you cannot make the cocktail without coffee liqueur. What is the difference between a White Russian and a Black Russian?
Do you like a White Russian?
If you like creamy alcoholic drinks like eggnog and Irish coffee, you will like a White Russian. If you like the idea of combining your morning cup of coffee with your afternoon happy hour, you will like a White Russian. When it comes to the vodka for a White Russian, no need to get fancy.
What is a White Russian liqueur?
Ah, the White Russian. It’s a classic, albeit one that’s duly filed under “guilty pleasures” in the recipe box. But this well-known blend of vodka, coffee liqueur and heavy cream is full of surprises—including six White Russian facts you probably didn’t know: 1. It’s Relatively Modern
Do you like White Russian ice cream?
If you like sweet coffee-flavored foods and desserts ( coffee-flavored ice cream, chocolate-covered coffee beans, Affogato), you will like a White Russian. If you like creamy alcoholic drinks like eggnog and Irish coffee, you will like a White Russian.