White Russian Drink Recipe

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Indulge yourself with a delicious White Russian, a thrilling blend of vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream bound to titillate your taste buds.

On my first date with my now-husband, I was already falling hard for him so when he ordered a White Russian, I told the waiter to make it two. I had never had one before, but if this smart, handsome, sexy guy thought it was a good drink, I would take the chance.

And boy, am I glad that I did. White Russian cocktails are a wicked mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream. It’s like the most amazing adult glass of milk EVER. Over a few drinks, my date and I found that we had a lot more in common than just a love of White Russians, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The White Russian is one of my drink staples; others include the Black Russian and the legendary Espresso Martini. Whenever I have one, I’m always thankful I took a chance—on the drink and the guy!

Why You Will Love This Recipe //

First and foremost, this drink is delicious. Full stop. It’s also ridiculously easy and quick to make and fun to sip. Basically, you can’t go wrong, and all your friends will love it at your next shindig.

Ingredients //

2 oz of vodka
1 oz of coffee liqueur
1 oz of heavy cream

Bar Equipment Needed //

An old-fashioned glass (although any glass will do)
A bar spoon
A jigger or measuring tool

How to Make // The Steps

Step 1: Grab a glass and add ice cubes till it’s halfway filled.

Step 2: Next, add the vodka and coffee liqueur.

Step 3: Stir the vodka and coffee liqueur together.

Step 4: With 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, fill the remaining space in the glass. Follow this with a quick stir before you serve.

Tips & Tricks to Make the Perfect White Russian

Since White Russian only has three key ingredients, it’s helpful to use high-quality vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream.
Traditional recipes call for heavy cream, which makes the cocktail silky and opulent. However, for a lighter touch but still creamy, half-and-half works well. For a dairy-free or vegan substitute, try almond or oat milk.
This is one time James Bond got it wrong. This drink should be stirred, not shaken. Shaking can over-dilute and separate the cream.

FAQs

What’s the best way to serve a White Russian?

An Old-Fashioned Glass, sometimes known as a rocks glass, has a roomy brim and sturdy base that makes it easy to give your cocktail a stir without making a mess. I also recommend chilling the glass first.

Can I make a vegan-friendly White Russian?

A vegan White Russian is totally doable. Simply swap the heavy cream for a plant-based alternative, such as almond, soy, or oat milk.

What’s the calorie count of a White Russian cocktail?

The delicious White Russian not only packs a punch with taste but also includes a pretty sizable calorie count of 250 to 400 calories. But I still encourage you to indulge occasionally! It’s worth it.

White Russian Drink Variations Worth Trying //

Skinny White Russian: A health-conscious twist on the classic, this version replaces the heavy cream with either skimmed milk or a plant-based milk alternative, and uses a low-sugar, low-carb coffee liqueur for a guilt-free indulgence.

Black Russian: Ditching the cream component of its White counterpart, the Black Russian is a darker, stiffer cocktail that combines vodka and coffee liqueur.

Blind Russian: This decadent variation swaps the cream for Bailey’s Irish Cream, creating a more dessert-like experience that’s beautifully rich and indulgent.

White Russian Mocktail: For those avoiding alcohol, use coffee and chocolate syrup mixed with heavy cream and a splash of club soda.

How to Store //

If you like to prep before the party, no problem. Mix up a batch of vodka and coffee liqueur before your friends arrive and keep it chilled in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, pour the mix over ice, add the cream, and enjoy.

You can keep the vodka and coffee liqueur for up to a week in the fridge. Keep the cream separate. When you’re ready for round two, pour your pre-made mix over ice, add the cream, and drink up.