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

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.

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 did the dude drink? ›

During the course of Ethan and Joel Coen's The Big Lebowski, Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) downs nine White Russians, thus making the sweet, creamy drink synonymous with the film. Despite its name, the co*cktail was actually created in Belgium.

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 I make a White Russian without Kahlua? ›

Unfortunately, White Russians aren't a drink that you can make as a mocktail (a co*cktail without alcohol). You would be eliminating the vodka, but you would also have to leave out the Kahlúa. If you're not able to consume alcohol but crave the flavor of a White Russian, opt for a frozen coffee drink instead.

What drink is close to 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.

Can you use coffee creamer in White Russian? ›

INGREDIENTS: 1 oz Creamer or Barista Milk of your choice. 2 oz Vodka. 1 oz Coffee Liqueur.

What is the best vodka in the world? ›

Two vodkas received Platinum Medals and 17 received Gold Medals at the Beverage Institute's 2024 vodka judging. The top-ranked unflavored vodka was Elit Vodka, with 97/100 points. Elit Vodka, also known as Stolichnaya Elit, is a super-premium vodka produced by the Latvijas Balzams distillery in Riga, Latvia.

What is in a mud slide? ›

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

The difference between a White Russian and a Paralyzer co*cktail is the ingredients. A White Russian contains vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream. A Paralyzer co*cktail has vodka, coffee liqueur, cola, and heavy cream.

What is a White Russian Caucasian? ›

The name "Caucasian" is an informal or slang term popularized by the movie "The Big Lebowski," in which the main character, The Dude, frequently orders a White Russian co*cktail but refers to it as a "Caucasian." The standard White Russian co*cktail consists of vodka, coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa), and cream or milk, ...

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 is a lazy boy drink? ›

The Lazy Boy co*cktail is a layered shot that combines the creamy sweetness of Bailey's Irish Cream with the deep, rich flavors of coffee liqueur and the nutty, sweet profile ... more.

What is the Cowboys drink? ›

The Original Cowboy combines the two for a satisfyingly sweet, sour, and fizzy drink. Pendleton®️ Original Whisky adds a warm, sweet and spicy flavor, while fresh lemon juice and simple syrup balance out and lighten the drink. Top it off with soda water and enjoy this co*cktail fit for a true cowboy.

What is the best coffee liqueur for White Russian? ›

Cake and whipped cream vodkas, or espresso, chocolate, and vanilla vodkas are also great choices. Kahlúa is the most popular coffee liqueur used in a White Russian, but Firelit, New Deal, or Leopold Bros.

What is a substitute for Kahlúa in Black Russian coffee? ›

Is there a substitute for Kahlua? You can swap Kahlua 1:1 with Tia Maria, a liqueur very similar to the coffee and vanilla flavor profile, or another brand of coffee liqueur.

Can I substitute coffee for Kahlúa? ›

What can I use in substitute for Kahlúa? Although our coffee co*cktail recipes have recommended measurements based on Kahlúa, for non-alcoholic substitions, you can try using coffee, chocolate extract or coffee flavored syrup.

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