White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Allison · 16 Comments

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You will love sipping on this smooth and creamy White Russian. An easy coffee flavored co*cktail with a fun twist!Try adding my special ingredient to make it taste like dessert.

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (1)

It should come as no surprise that a White Russian is one of my favorite co*cktails. It tastes like an iced coffee (one of my most favorite things ever) and it is one-third cream. Yes, CREAM, my friends. This is a sweet, cold and creamy co*cktail that you are bound to fall in love with!

My mind has shifted into holiday mode. I’m dreaming of pumpkin bread, sweet potato casserole, chilly weather and crunchy leaves. I’m ready to sit next to a warm fire sipping on a White Russian. Who’s with me?!

MORE co*ckTAILS: APEROL SPRITZSTRAWBERRY SANGRIAAPPLE CIDER SANGRIASTRAWBERRY MARGARITAGRASSHOPPERFROZEN MARGARITAHOT BUTTERED RUM

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (2)

I consider a White Russian a year-round co*cktail (any time is a good time for spiked coffee goodness!), but I especially think of it as a holiday co*cktail. The classic flavors, the touch of decadence, and the fact that calories don’t count during the holidays. It’s perfect for these last few months of the year.

White Russian Recipe

Let’s talk about how to make a traditional White Russian, then I’ll get to sharing my favorite version (pssst… there’s ice cream involved).

  • Vodka
  • Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
  • Cream

Add the vodka and Kahlua to a glass filled with ice, then add a generous splash of cream and give it a stir. The ratios are often 1 part vodka, 1 part Kahlua and 1 part cream, but when I am making White Russians at home, I change it up a bit.

The first change I make is swapping the cream for half and half or whole milk. Although cream is delicious, I find that half and half or whole milk still adds plenty of richness without making it too heavy.

I usually follow a ratio of 1 part vodka, 2 parts Kahlua and 3 parts half and half. This creates a nice creamy co*cktail that has plenty of coffee flavor without too much of a punch from the vodka.

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (3)

A fun twist

Now, if you wanted to (hint: you do) you could skip adding the ice to your White Russian and instead plop a big fat scoop of vanilla ICE CREAM into it. Guys, please try this at least once. It’s like a spiked coffee milkshake (without dirtying a blender), and it is so dang delicious! Note: instead of using vanilla ice cream, you could also use coffee, chocolate or caramel ice cream. Swoon.

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (4)

My recipe makes a single serving. You can easily increase the portions to make multiple co*cktails, or even a whole pitcher. Use the ratio 1 part vodka, 2 parts Kahlua, 3 parts whole milk/half and half/cream to make the quantities needed. And of course, adjust to suit your taste. That’s the beauty of making co*cktails at home, you can get them just the way you want them everytime.

I’ll leave you with one last little warning: These White Russians are dangerous. They are smooth and tasty and they go down easily. Too easily. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya! Enjoy!

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (5)

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Recipe

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (6)

White Russian Recipe

You will love sipping on this smooth and creamy White Russian. An easy coffee flavored co*cktail with a fun twist!

4.84 from 6 votes

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Course: beverage

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 multiply as needed

Calories: 312kcal

Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • 1 part vodka
  • 2 parts Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
  • 3 parts half and half, cream or milk, I prefer half and half
  • Ice cream, optional

Instructions

  • Combine vodka and Kahlua in an ice filled glass. Slowly add the half and half. Taste and adjust the proportions to suit your taste.

Video

Notes

For one co*cktail, I often use a 1oz liquid measuring cup for each "part".

For a large batch use a ½ cup liquid measuring cup for each "part"; this will make four 6-ounce co*cktails.

Feel free to leave out the ice and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your co*cktail.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 112mg | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Calcium: 96mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (7) Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

This post originally appeared on Real Housemoms where I am a contributor.

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Comments

  1. Jackie

    I can’t drink anything that is made with milk products. If I want to make a drink with Kahlua give me some suggestions excluding the milk products !

    Reply

    • Allison

      You could try this with a plant based milk.

      Reply

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White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets (8)Hi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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FAQs

Why is a White Russian drink called a White Russian? ›

The White Russian came about in the 1960s when someone added a bit of cream to the Black Russian, rendering it white. Neither drink is actually Russian in origin—the Black Russian itself is thought to have originated in Belgium, where it was first created for a U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.

What is the taste of a White Russian? ›

What should the perfect White Russian taste like? Sweet, fresh, creamy, indulgent… It really depends on the ingredients, so feel free to play around with the recipe.

What do you eat with White Russian? ›

Go for a White Russian with:
  • Sausage rolls.
  • Gluten-free mince pies.
  • Chocolate & raspberry tart.

What other drink is like a White Russian? ›

The Black Russian is the big brother of the equally famous White Russian. It's a simple yet tasty drink, combining Kahlúa coffee liqueur and vodka in a truly unforgettable way.

What is the difference between a Black Russian and a White Russian co*cktail? ›

And you can probably guess from name alone what the difference is. A White Russian is swirled with heavy cream, while a Black Russian...isn't. It is simply coffee liqueur and vodka, no white in sight, making it less like a dessert and more like an alcoholic wake-me-up.

What does The Dude call a White Russian? ›

Throughout the movie, it appears as the beverage of choice for the protagonist, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski. On a number of occasions he refers to the drink as a "Caucasian".

What is a bloody mary called? ›

The Bloody Mary was invented in the 1920s or 1930s. There are various theories as to the origin of the drink and its name. It has many variants, most notably the red snapper (also called Bloody Margaret), Bloody Maria (made with tequila blanco), and the Virgin Mary.

What do you call a White Russian without vodka? ›

What Is A Kahlúa and Cream Called? There isn't a particular name for drinks containing Kahlúa and cream. However, it is a simple version of the White Russian. Many consumers opt for a glass of Kahlúa and cream if they don't want to consume too much alcohol.

Do you stir or shake White Russian? ›

Combine in a rocks glass over ice and stir for 10 seconds or so. Shaking a White Russian is nice too, and certainly gets it colder. Though I prefer the concentrated edge that it gets from stirring.

What is in a Mudslide? ›

The Mudslide—a combination of vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and heavy cream—is the quintessential boozy milkshake. Sweet, creamy, and rich, its popularity harkens back to a time when we took our co*cktail cues from the laminated menus of chain restaurants.

What is the best vodka for a White Russian? ›

The key is to use something you like the flavor of. Fortunately, you can find good vodka at every price point. The best quality vodkas for the price are Grey Goose and Belvedere. For a budget-friendly vodka, I recommend using Tito's.

What is a substitute for Kahlúa in a White Russian? ›

Kahlua substitutes: Try swapping out the coffee liqueur with crème de cacao or amaretto. Vodka Substitutes: The vodka can be swapped for gin, bourbon or dark rum. Make a White Russian with Bailey's Irish Cream: Swap the cream for Irish cream.

Does Kahlúa need to be refrigerated? ›

Should Kahlúa be refrigerated? No, but we recommend to store it in a cool dry place once opened. What percentage of alcohol is in Kahlúa Original?

What is Kahlúa made of? ›

Made with 100% Arabica coffee beans and rum, Kahlúa coffee liqueur is one of the main ingredients in many of the world's favorite co*cktails. From the White Russian, Black Russian and Mudslide, to the co*cktail du jour… the Espresso Martini!

Why are they called White Russians? ›

Revolution and Persecution

These new Russian immigrants had mostly been prominent citizens of the Empire—aristocrats, professionals, and former imperial officials—and were called “White Russians” because of their opposition to the “red” Soviet state.

What is White Russian slang for? ›

White Russian (not comparable) Of or relating to Russians with tsarist or anti-Soviet sympathies in the period directly following the 1917 Revolution. (obsolete) Of or relating to Belarus, literally "White Russia," or its language.

Why are White Russians so good? ›

The White Russian Is Stupidly Simple

While coffee liqueur and heavy cream give it a rich, decadent texture and flavor, vodka gives the drink serious backbone.

Why is the drink called a Black Russian? ›

The co*cktail owes its name to the use of vodka, a typical Russian spirit, and the blackness of the coffee liqueur.

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