The Black Russian is a classic cocktail that is both delicious and simple to make. If you’re looking for a rich and aromatic drink to make at home, then the Black Russian is the perfect cocktail for you.
The recipe below is versatile meaning you can continue to customise it to your taste as time goes on, it will not disappoint!
Substitute in or add ingredients such as garnishes, syrups, flavoured vodkas or liqueurs.
Make sure to use quality ingredients and fresh cold brewed coffee for the best results. This drink is sure to impress your coffee loving friends!
You can show off your bartending skills when hosting your next dinner party with this sophisticated beverage.
INGREDIENTS
+ 1 shot of Vodka
+ 1 shot of Coffee Liqueur eg. Kahlua
+ 1 shot of Almond Liqueuer eg. Amaretto
+ 2 shots of Coffee fresh brewed
+ 1 tablespoon Whipped cream
+ 1 tablespoon Sugar
+ Ice cubes to serve
For the freshly whipped cream
+ 1tbs icing sugar
+ ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
+ ½ tsp vanilla extract
Preparation Time: 4 mins
Servings: 1 cocktail
Equipment
+ Cocktail Jigger or measuring cup
+ Cocktail Shaker (or cup and spoon to stir)
+ Tablespoon measure
+ Electric mixer or whisk (if freshly whipping cream)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Collect all your ingredients and equipment, setting it out on the bench ready to go. You can pre ice your glass or alternatively put ice in your cocktail shaker to help chill your Black Russian.
- If making your own whipped cream, add cream into a bowl with icing sugar and vanilla extract. Mix with an electric mixer (or manually with a whisk) until you can lift the mixer and see peaks in the cream.
- Combine Ice, Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Almond Liqueur, Coffee and Sugar in your cocktail shaker.
- Cover with the lid and shake until it is foaming and completely combined.
- Strain into a glass (with or without ice).
- Top with whipped cream and any garnishings you wish.
Why use fresh cold brew?
Using a cold brew ensures that maximum flavour is extracted and infused into your cocktail, giving it a beautiful, full bodied taste that cannot be replicated with instant coffee. You can brew your coffee using a variety of different methods, all you need to make cold brew coffee are some ground beans, water, and patience. Cold brew is made by using freshly ground coffee beans and pouring cold or room-temperature water over them. You can then place the mixture in a refrigerator overnight. The next day, strain the liquid and enjoy using it however you please.
If you are short on time, the Aeropress is a fast and efficient process. An excellent option as it takes no longer than 3.5 mins to extract the coffee. It is a small, lightweight coffee brewer that makes a single serving of coffee at a time. Using a piston to push coffee through a paper filter, it topps any oil or sediment from getting into coffee. By purchasing and using this to make your coffee you can experiment with the strength of coffee you prefer as well as trying different types of coffee beans.
Toppings
A garnish can add an elegant aesthetic to your cocktail and allows you to add your own personal touch. These toppings are usually small (often edible) items that complete the look of a drink.
When garnishing, don’t be afraid to get creative and add something that doesn’t immediately come to mind. A little creativity and your drink will be that much better! With a variety of choices, you can customise your drink to your liking.
Here are a few suggestion that you could use to elevate your cocktail for a special occasion:
+ Shaved chocolate sprinkled on top
+ Chocolate powder lightly dusted
+ Cinnamon for added spice
+ Decorative edible flowers
+ Fruit such as a cherry or freeze dried strawberry on the whipped cream
Now Experiment!
You can get creative! There are endless options on what to add or substitute to this recipe. Try substituting regular vodka for a flavoured vodka of your choice. A coffee, chocolate, almond or caramel vodka would add a uniquely rich undertone to your drink.
Alternatively to increase the sweetness, you could use a flavoured syrup such as vanilla, caramel, chocolate or even hazelnut. This is ideal for a tasty dessert like treat for those with a sweet tooth or that like a much sweeter (rather than more bitter) coffee.
For a special occasion such as Christmas, a splash of Bailey’s irish cream, dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or even ginger can provide a holiday feel to it.
Cocktail Tips:
- If you don’t want to water down the coffee flavour with ice cubes, then why not try adding ice to your cocktail shaker to chill the drink prior to serving? This means you can filter out the ice before serving.
- Another option to avoid a watered down drink is that you can freeze a portion of the cold brew into an ice cube tray and use the coffee cubes to keep your drink cool without diluting the drink.
- Using a martini glass or other small cocktail glass of your choosing will give a more sophisticated feel to it. This is especially useful if you are trying to impress your guests. It also helps prevent your drink from getting warm too quickly.
- Use good quality ingredients for the best balance of flavours and premium liquor to ensure it isn’t too overpowering for the coffee.
- If you aren’t a fan of vodka, whiskey or rum can be substituted.
- Make this drink a mocktail for those that don’t drink alcohol by substituting the alcohol for black cold pressed coffee and add an almond syrup. Top with whipped cream and garnish.
Coffee Liqueur Suggestions
Kahlua is by far the most popular Coffee Liqueur though there are many others out there to try. If you want something new, try:
+ Mr Blacks Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
+ Scylla Distilling Co Coffee Liqueur
+ Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur
For something different:
+ Seven Seasons Honey & Wattleseed Coffee Liqueur
+ The Whistler Irish Cream liqueur (for a more subtle smooth coffee flavour)
Almond liqueur Suggestions
+ Amaretto (most popular)
+ Disaronno Italian Liqueur
