The White Russian is a delightful drink that’s not too strong, and contains such elegant, rich flavours that you might not even realise it contains alcohol.
This has only added to the drinkâs popularity, which is now a staple for the at-home bartenders around the globe. Be cautious though as this is a deceptive cocktail and may be more potent than you think.Â
The key to this easy-to-make drink is minimal, high quality ingredients of vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly brewed coffee.Â
If you want to mix things up a bit, you can easily add chocolate, different flavoured vodka (such as vanilla or caramel), or coffee liquor to your drink.Â
For the smoothest White Russian possible, use fresh Cold Brew Coffee made with high quality beans, ensuring that your drink will be perfect every time.
Ingredients
+ 2 shots of vodka
+ 1 shot of KahlĂșa
+ 1 shot of freshly brewed coffee
+ 2 shots of milk
+ Ice to serveÂ
Utensils
+ Serving glass
+ Shot glass/ measuring cup
+ Stirring spoonÂ
Steps
- Chill a glass in the refrigeratorÂ
- Collect your ingredients and utensils
- Add the shots of vodka, coffee and KahlĂșa to the pre-chilled glass
- Fill the glass with your desired level of ice
- Top with 2 shots of milk and stir until all of the ingredients are fully combined. Serve and enjoy.
Alternative Flavours and Ingredients
Cream
For a richer, thicker drink, use a small amount of heavy cream instead of milk. The cream will result in a slightly smaller drink that gets lighter as the ice melts.
If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative, swap out the full cream for almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or any other nut- or grain-based beverage to taste.
Vodka
The type of vodka you use can make or break your cocktail, luckily, there are plenty of affordable options that taste great.
Absolut Vanilla Vodka and Underground Secrets Caramel Vodka are two great choices for flavouring your drink when you’re looking for a sweeter or more defined taste.
A raspberry vodka or chocolate vodka will add a nice fruity and chocolatey taste when mixed with coffee liqueur. It’s best to try some different options so you can find the kind you like best.
Coffee Liqueur
The coffee liqueur most commonly used in the White Russian is KahlĂșah for its great taste and affordability.
However, if youâre having trouble finding it, or are just looking to try something new, you can easily substitute it with another coffee based liqueur:
+ Firelit
+ New Deal
+ Leopold Bros
Tips and Tricks
+ Ice cubes made from coffee have the added benefit of giving off a strong coffee taste without the risk of the cocktail being watered down. You can also make coffee ice cubes to chill any cocktail you may be enjoying. Simply brew some coffee and put it in ice cube trays, then put the trays in the freezer. The next time you want to chill a cocktail, throw in a few coffee ice cubes instead of plain water and enjoy.
+ Our recipe only requires a quick stir, but feel free to experiment with your bartending skills by floating the cream on top of the spirits and ice. It may take some practice to get a clean layer, but it’ll make for a great presentation.
Serve this with a straw and let the drinker mix the ingredients as they please. Enjoy a White Russian–stirred or layered–after dinner, during happy hour, or anytime you want a quick and satisfying drink.
History of the White Russian
The White Russian drink is a classic cocktail that has been around since the 1940s and is a variation of its darker counterpart the Black Russian.
The drink was created to give patrons of cocktail clubs in the United States a coffee-flavoured drink that could be served cold, and is now famously known among a new generation from the 90âs by the beloved âDudeâ character from the Big Lebowski movie.
Similar to the Moscow Mule, both of these drinks took on a Russian name because the Soviet Union was the biggest vodka exporter at the time.
Adding a twist to a classic
Why not try taking some creative liberty when it comes to this classic drink and adding a shocking twist? Try Salted Caramel, Chocolate, or Vanilla syrup for those with a sweet tooth. Butterscotch liqueur can elevate the coffee flavours to a new level, while Peanut Butter, Coconut, or vanilla ice cream make for a sneaky little dessert. Chai or Baileys are the perfect additions to turn this drink into a nightcap.Â
What is cold brew coffee?
Cold brew is made by using freshly ground coffee beans and pouring cold or room-temperature water over the ground beans. You can then place the coffee and water into a refrigerator, and allow the mixture to sit overnight.Â
After the mixture has finished sitting for about 12-24 hours, strain the liquid and you’ll have refreshing cold coffee with a more refined taste than you could get from conventional brewing. You are then left with a highly concentrated coffee that is less acidic with a far more robust flavour.
We have lots of tips on brewing coffee here.
Aeropress to make the coffee
If you’re looking to enjoy a cold brew coffee without having to wait 12-24 hours for the conventional method, then you can utilise an Aeropress! The Aeropress will allow you to brew the same smooth and delicious cold brew coffee in only minutes, rather than hours.Â
The steps are simple, you just need an Aeropress, some finely ground coffee, and water. Take a rounded scoop of finely ground coffee and place it into the chamber. Fill the chamber with room temperature water, stir for a minute, gently press down, and enjoy!
