The White Russian is a classic 3-ingredient cocktail featuring a dreamy blend of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream.
Classic White Russian Cocktail
The White Russian is a classic 3-ingredient cocktail that’s perfect for any coffee lover. This smooth and sweet concoction blends vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream or half-and-half to create a delightful after-dinner treat.
This cocktail is as pretty to look at as it is delicious! When making the drink, the ingredients are layered, and as you enjoy it, the layers swirl to create a lovely ombre look.
Where Did The White Russian Cocktail Get Its Name?
Despite the name, this iconic cocktail actually is said to have originated in Belgium around 1949, when a barkeep named Gustave Tops created a drink called the “Black Russian” with vodka and coffee liqueur. Sometime later, cream was added, creating the “White Russian.”
It is thought that the “Russian” is a nod to the primary ingredient, vodka. Perhaps we’ll never know for sure! But by any name, the White Russian is one of the most popular after-dinner cocktails of all time!
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
- 2 oz heavy cream or half-and-half
When making this drink you can measure exactly, or eyeball it, but the important thing to keep in mind is an equal ratio of all three ingredients.
Helpful Bartender Tools
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Boston Cocktail Shaker Set (contains shakers, jigger, strainer)
Optional Garnish Ideas
- Maraschino Cherry
- Cinnamon Stick
- Sprinkle of Ground Cinnamon or Nutmeg
Recipe intended for readers 21+; please enjoy responsibly!
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 2 ounces of vodka over the ice.
- Layer 2 ounces of coffee liqueur over the vodka.
- Top with heavy cream by drizzling over the coffee liquor or by pouring on the back of a spoon held over the glass, so the layers don’t mix.
Prep Tips
- Yield – This recipe as written will yield one serving.
- Layering – This drink has beautiful layers that will slowly blend as you drink it. You can also stir if you like, to blend the ingredients.
- Cream – The original recipe calls for heavy cream of half and half. However, you can use regular milk if that’s what you have on hand.
- Garnish – This drink is often served as is, without an additional garnish. If you’d like to jazz it up, you could add a whole cinnamon stick, which adds flavor as you stir the drink. Other ideas include maraschino cherries or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
More Dessert Drinks To Try
White Russian Cocktail Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Classic White Russian Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa
- 2 oz heavy cream or half-and-half
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 2 ounces of vodka over the ice.
- Layer 2 ounces of coffee liqueur over the vodka.
- Top with heavy cream by drizzling over the coffee liquor or by pouring on the back of a spoon held over the glass, so the layers don’t mix.
Notes
Nutrition
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