White Russian
Vodka, coffee liqueur and cream over ice. Sweet, rich and very easy to make.
- Time
- 3 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Strength
- 2.5 UK units
How to make a White Russian
- Fill the glass with ice. Fill a rocks glass with cubes. The cold keeps the cream from separating and the drink from going warm and sweet.
- Add vodka and coffee liqueur. Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice and give it a quick stir, about 5 seconds.
- Float the cream. Pour the cream slowly over the back of a bar spoon so it settles on top in a clean white layer.
- Serve. Stir once before drinking for an even, creamy tan, or leave it layered and let people mix it themselves.
- Glass
- Rocks glassNo rocks glass? Any short, wide tumbler.
- Ice
- Ice cubes
- Garnish
- None needed, or a little grated nutmegOr: A few coffee beans on top.
What you need to make a White Russian
Bottles we'd use
- Coffee liqueurKahlúa is the classic and sweet. Mr Black is drier and more coffee-forward.Find it on Amazon
- A decent vodkaNeutral is fine. The cream and coffee will hide any quirks.Find it on Amazon
Links to Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Bar Bandol may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The White Russian story
The Black Russian, vodka and coffee liqueur, is usually traced to 1949 and bartender Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. The cream version came later, with printed recipes appearing in the 1960s. The Big Lebowski, released in 1998, made it famous with a new generation.
It is a drink of three simple parts, so quality shows. Use fresh cold cream and let it float for the layered look, or stir once for a uniform tan colour. For a lighter drink, swap the cream for whole milk.
White Russian: your questions answered
What is in a White Russian?
A White Russian is made with 50 ml vodka, 25 ml coffee liqueur and 25 ml double cream. Garnish: none needed, or a little grated nutmeg.
How strong is a White Russian?
Made to this recipe, a White Russian contains about 2.5 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve a White Russian in?
Serve a White Russian in a rocks glass over ice. No rocks glass? Any short, wide tumbler.
