White Russian
Classic Recipe with Variations
The white Russian has indulgent ingredients for a cocktail but in all the best ways. It’s cold without being crisp, and it’s creamy without being heavy.
Ingredients:
- Vodka, 2 oz
- Coffee liqueur, 1 oz
- Heavy cream, 1 oz
- Ice
Instructions:
Scoop ice into a rocks glass. Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice. Float cream on top. Serve with a stirring rod.
| TIME: < 5 minutes | SERVINGS: 1 cocktail | DIFFICULTY: Beginner |
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The Caucasian
The white Russian was invented (not in Russia) in the late 1940s, by adding cream to a Black Russian (vodka and coffee liqueur). The swirl of heavy cream in dark coffee liqueur wasn’t as hypnotic as its creator may have hoped, and the drink remained fairly obscure.
In 1998, however, the drink was heavily featured in The Big Lebowski, whose main character frequently refers to it as a “Caucasian.” The Dude introduced this delightful cocktail to legions of fans, and it continues to abide.
White Russian Recipe Variations
Heavy cream comes in a variety of flavors, which means everyone from bartenders to armchair mixologists has tried some variation of the white Russian. If you’re feeling fancy, try:
- Peppermint cream for a White Christmas
- Irish cream for a Blind Russian
- Skimmed milk for a Skinny Russian
- Goat milk for a White Canadian
- Chocolate milk for a Dirty Russian