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

White Russian Recipe - Celebrating Sweets? ›

The Dude getting the ingredients for a White Russian in The Big Lebowski. The co*cktail site Supercall pushes the envelope with "The Dude's Delight." Mix together whole milk, cold brew coffee, Luxardo sambuca, vodka, and St. George Coffee Liqueur. Then garnish with cocoa powder.

How does The Dude make his White Russian? ›

The Dude getting the ingredients for a White Russian in The Big Lebowski. The co*cktail site Supercall pushes the envelope with "The Dude's Delight." Mix together whole milk, cold brew coffee, Luxardo sambuca, vodka, and St. George Coffee Liqueur. Then garnish with cocoa powder.

How to make White Russian without Kahlúa? ›

Make it a mocktail: If you are looking for a non-alcoholic vegan white Russian, look no further! Substitute the Kahlua with DaVinci Coffee Liqueur Syrup and 1 shot of espresso instead of vodka. This version will taste more like coffee, but is seriously DELICIOUS!

What is the best vodka for White Russians? ›

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's the difference between a White Russian and a Black Russian? ›

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 in a White Russian but not in a Black Russian? ›

The White Russian was first mixed up back in 1949 when Gustave Tops, a Belgian bartender, dreamt up two luxurious co*cktails, the Black and the White Russian. The difference? Isn't it obvious? The Black Russian lacks cream.

What can I use if I don't have Kahlua? ›

Beyond Kahlua
  1. Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur. ...
  2. St. ...
  3. J.F. Haden's Espresso Liqueur. ...
  4. Grand Brulot VSOP Cognac Café ...
  5. Du Nord Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur. ...
  6. Mozart Chocolate Coffee Liqueur. ...
  7. Jameson Cold Brew Whiskey & Coffee. ...
  8. Patron XO Café
Sep 27, 2022

Can you use coffee instead of Kahlua in White Russian? ›

Kahlua is what makes it a white Russian, but if you substituted another coffee liqueur, it would still be considered a white Russian. You might be able to substitute with a shot of espresso, but you'll have to add some sweetener because Kahlua is sweet.

What is the closest thing to Kahlua? ›

Black Cold Brew is another popular Kahlúa alternative. The liqueur contains Arabica coffee, some cane sugar, and Australian wheat vodka. The Mr. Black Cold Brew website suggests that fans use the brand in co*cktails such as a Coffee Negroni or Cold Brew Old Fashioned.

What can I use instead of vodka in a White Russian? ›

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.

What drink is similar to a White Russian? ›

The Colorado Bulldog is a popular mixed drink that's very similar to a White Russian. Though it's unknown how it got its name or who first created it, this simple fizzy co*cktail is very tasty.

Does it matter what vodka you use for a White Russian? ›

The easiest way is to use different vodkas, as they all have different tastes, but also consider using some of our different Kahlúa flavors, like Kahlúa Salted Caramel or Kahlúa Vanilla.

Do you stir a 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 coffee liqueur is best for White Russian? ›

The Best White Russian co*cktail Recipe

A white Russian is a quick and easy co*cktail recipe made with vodka, coffee liqueur like Kahlua, and cream served over ice in an old fashioned glass – no co*cktail shaker needed. You don't have to be The Dude to enjoy this rich after dinner drink!

What is the difference between a White Russian and a Caucasian drink? ›

Sometimes they're referred to as “White Russians,” other times, jokingly, “Caucasians.” Usually they're made with cream, but occasionally, in a pinch, powdered non-dairy creamer. Nevertheless, “The Dude abides” — even when he drinks the one with the mickey slipped in.

What are White Russians made of? ›

A White Russian (Russian: Белый Русский) is a co*cktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa or Tia Maria) and cream served with ice in an old fashioned glass. Take one white-skinned Russian and juice through a strainer. Add ice and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.

What beer does the dude drink? ›

For the beer question the Dude is seen drinking a beer, the fictional Meichtry Draft Beer, while driving and smoking a joint. He does use the beer to dowse the burning roach, which he bounced off the window to between his legs.

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