This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make a White Russian recipe, which is a simple 3 ingredient creamy cocktail. The combination of coffee, cream, and vodka makes a great cocktail! This recipe makes one drink, and it takes less than five minutes to make.
What is a White Russian Drink?
The “Russian” part of the name is a nod to the vodka in the drink, which is a classic Russian liquor. It actually came to be after someone invented the Black Russian drink around 1949, made with just coffee liqueur and vodka. Due to that drink’s popularity, someone thought to add some cream, and the White Russian cocktail was born.
It’s cold, it’s creamy, and it’s perfect for sipping on after dinner or for festive nights. Plus, it’s really easy to make – you don’t need a bunch of different liquors and mixers. Just three ingredients plus some ice is all you need.
White Russian Ingredients
- Vodka – use your favorite brand (for me the best vodka is Tito’s)
- Kahlua – or other coffee liqueur that you like
- Heavy cream – but you can substitute milk or half and half if you prefer or nondairy milk, like almond or soy milk.
Variations
- Omit the cream and you have a Black Russian Cocktail.
- Make a Baileys White Russian by swapping the cream with Irish Cream.
- A Mudslide is basically a White Russian with Baileys Irish Cream added – and you can serve it in a martini glass or a frozen mudslide using a blender.
- For the perfect holiday twist add some cinnamon syrup or cinnamon sticks.
- An Off-White Russian uses chocolate milk instead of cream.
- There are tons of variations using things like bourbon or whiskey, rum or tequila or horchata – have fun experimenting!
How to make a White Russian
- Add some ice cubes to an Old-fashioned glass.
- Pour the vodka and Kahlua over the ice.
- Add the cream and stir – if your cream is very thick you can water it down with milk.
Expert Tips
- Always use good quality liquor, not the cheapest stuff. Midshelf brand is fine, but just make sure to use one you like but that comes in at least a glass bottle. Good liquor makes a difference!
- This is the easiest drink to pour for a crowd because you’re just pouring into the glass no shaking needed!
- Have Kahlua left over? Make an Espresso Martini!
FAQs
You can stir all three ingredients, so your drink is uniform in color. Or, mix the vodka and coffee liqueur and float the cream on top. Or, you can swirl the cream into the drink by partially stirring it so you can see ribbons of cream in the glass.
White Russian Drink Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- Ice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlúa
- 1 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice to an Old Fashioned glass.
- Add the vodka and the Kahlúa.
- Stir in the cream.
- Serve.
