White Russian
Celebrate with a creamy white Russian drink! It tastes like coffee ice cream but with a boozy kick! You’ll love this easy, scalable recipe.
It’s Friday, woo-hoo!
I don’t know about you, but I am ready to get my weekend on.
And I can’t think of a better way than to mix up a fancy cocktail!
This white Russian recipe is perfect!
Icy-cold, creamy, rich, and just sweet enough. It’s like a dessert in drink form!
I love to sit out on my patio on a warm night and enjoy a special drink with friends. It just kicks off the weekend in such a fun way.
Be sure to browse through all of my drink recipes to find the one that’s perfect for you. I especially love a Moscow mule, chocolate martini, or mulled wine!
Table of Contents
- What is a white Russian?
- Why this is the best white Russian recipe
- What does the white Russian drink taste like?
- Ingredients
- Special equipment
- How to make a white Russian
- How to serve white Russians
- Expert tips
- Frequently asked questions
- A few more of my best coffee recipes
What is a white Russian?
This is a simple cocktail that tastes like sweet, creamy coffee but with alcohol. A perfect slow-sipper! The Dude would approve.
Why this is the best white Russian recipe
- Tastes amazing: The balance of toasty coffee, sweetness, cream, and the warmth of alcohol is so nice!
- Few ingredients: You only need 3 basic ingredients.
- Easy to make: It legit takes a minute or less.
- Scalable: Make just one, or a whole pitcher!
- Versatile: Add in other flavors to make this drink uniquely your own!
What does the white Russian drink taste like?
When you first take a sip, you’ll notice the sweet creaminess right away. It’s like melted ice cream!
Then the roasty-toasty coffee taste comes in.
Finally, you’ll feel that warmth at the back of your throat that lets you know this is for grownups only!
Ingredients
Vodka: The base of the drink.
Coffee liqueur: Such as Tia Maria or Kahlua.
Cream: Or a plant-based substitute, for a vegan white Russian.
Special equipment
- Measuring cup: Follow my guide on how to measure ingredients.
- Glass or pitcher: In which to mix up the drink(s).
- Stirrer: For mixing it all up.
How to make a white Russian
This easy recipe comes together in 4 simple steps.
Step 1: Vodka
Pour the vodka into your vessel of choice, until it comes about halfway up the sides.
Step 2: Coffee liqueur
Add coffee liquer, until it comes about 3/4 of the way up the sides.
Step 3: Cream
Top off with cream, until it’s full!
Step 4: Stir
Stir it all together. It looks like chocolate milk! Make sure your kids know it’s not!
How to serve white Russians
In the summertime, I like to enjoy this drink over ice. But in the winter, it’s nice at room temperature.
For a fancy garnish, dust a little cocoa powder on top. It gives you a hit of chocolate aroma every time you tip the glass to your lips.
Expert tips
White Russian ratio: The ratio is easy to remember. It’s 2 parts vodka to 1 part coffee liqueur to 1 part cream.
Scale it up or down: For just one cocktail, you’ll use about 1/2 cup of vodka, 1/4 cup of coffee liqueur, and 1/4 cup of cream. To serve say, 8, just times that by 8, so that would be 4 cups vodka, 2 cups coffee liqueur, and 2 cups cream. Make sense?
Keep the ice separate: If you’re only making one or two drinks it probably doesn’t matter, but when I’m serving a crowd I like to keep the ice separate, in an insulated ice bucket. This way it doesn’t melt down and dilute the drink. Guests can pour their own glasses and top them off with ice.
Get creative: Think about using a flavored vodka (such as vanilla vodka) or adding other flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, chocolate syrup, or even fresh muddled berries to your drink! Any kind of flavor you like in your coffee will also work in a white Russian. You can also sugar the rim for extra sweetness!
Frequently asked questions
This would basically just be coffee. I’d suggest using a weak simple syrup (say, 1 part sugar to 4 parts water?) in place of the vodka, brewed coffee in place of the liqueur, and keep the cream.
If you have any leftovers, strain out any ice and keep them in the fridge. They should last for as long as cream does. Several weeks!
One serving is equal to one cocktail.
The nutritional info given below is for one drink. It doesn’t include any add-ins or garnishes.
A few more of my best coffee recipes
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White Russian
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 g) vodka
- 1/2 cup (118 g) coffee liqueur
- 1/2 cup (119 g) cream, (any kind)
Instructions
- Stir all the ingredients together and pour into 2 glasses.
- Top with ice, if desired.
