WHITE RUSSIAN COCKTAIL RECIPE
The White Russian is a smooth, creamy drink, perfect to always have in your hand, much like The Dude from The Big Lebowski, which is where most people first heard of this drink. Since then, it's popularity has remained because of how great it looks and tastes.
This is my personal favorite drink, and I could sip on this coffee milkshake-like drink all day and night, so I'm excited to share how to make the best White Russian Cocktail with you right now.
Ingredients
- 1 Ounce Vodka
- 1 Ounce Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua)
- 1 Ounce Heavy Cream
Method
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour the Vodka and Coffee Liqueur into the glass.
- Layer your heavy cream on top.
- Enjoy!
White Russian Cocktail Notes
If you like a drink that isn't as heavy as this one, you can try swapping out the heavy cream for a lighter cream, or even for milk.
Similarly, if you like a stronger drink, try doubling the Vodka in the drink.
My personal favorite change to this drink is to swap out the heavy cream for Baileys Irish Cream. It still keeps that nice, smooth texture, with the creamy appearance, but the extra alcohol and flavor really complete the drink for me.
You can't skip out on the ice for this drink, due to its intense flavor and kick. The ice really adds to the cocktail's smoothness too.
History Of The White Russian Cocktail
The White Russian was originally created in the 60's, by adding a splash of cream to the Black Russian. This didn't really catch on for a long while. This was until 1998, when the movie The Big Lebowski came out, where the main character (known as "The Dude") was always pictured with a White Russian (or Caucasian, as he would call it) in his hand.
Since then, it's become a staple in many bars around the world, and is recognised as a great drink to have on your weekends, or whenever really.
How Did The White Russian Get Its Name?
The White Russian got its name from its predecessor, the Black Russian. Because the added cream made the drink lighter, they changed the name to the White Russian.
The Black Russian was named that way because it was dark (you probably could've guessed that), and because vodka was heavily associated with Russia when it was created, as Russia was (and still is) one of the largest exporters of vodka.
What's A White Russian Cocktail Made Of?
The White Russian is a creamy, coffee-flavored drink traditionally made with equal parts Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, and Heavy Cream.
Some people like to double the vodka, in which case it's important not to cheap out on the vodka. This drink is meant to be smooth and decadent, so it's crucial to use ingredients that don't compromise the smoothness.
Almost always, Kahlua is the Coffee Liqueur of choice for the White Russian. It's smooth, sweet, and has 20% alcohol content, making it perfect for this drink.
Alternatives To Heavy Cream In A White Russian
Some people find cream to be too heavy in their White Russians. Common ways to fix this are to use a lighter cream, or swap it out for milk.
If you want a bit more alcohol, flavor, and sweetness in your drink, Baileys Irish Cream works amazingly. This is what I use to perfect my White Russian, but it's all about personal preference.