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.
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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.
How To Mix a perfect White Russian ☝
FAQ
What are names for White Russian drink?
What other drink is like a White Russian?
What is the difference between a White Russian and a Caucasian drink?
What’s the difference between a White Russian and a Black Russian?
What is a White Russian vodka cocktail?
The White Russian is among the best, easiest, and most popular vodka cocktails you will come across. The creamy counterpart to the equally famous Black Russian —vodka and coffee liqueur—the white version is incredibly simple to make by just adding cream to the black one.
How do you make a White Russian cocktail?
Float fresh cream on top and stir slowly. A white Russian is a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa or Tia Maria) and cream served with ice in an old fashioned glass . The traditional cocktail known as a black Russian, which first appeared in 1949, becomes a white Russian with the addition of cream.
What is a black Russian cocktail?
The traditional cocktail known as a black Russian, which first appeared in 1949, becomes a white Russian with the addition of cream. Neither drink has any known Russian origin, but both are so-named due to vodka being the primary ingredient. It is unclear which drink preceded the other.
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