Make a White Russian

A White Russian is a classic creamy cocktail that is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, milk or half and half. It is typically served in an Old-Fashioned (or rocks) glass over ice. The vodka and coffee liqueur are first poured into a glass that has been filled with ice, and then the drink is topped off with milk or half and half. The finished drink is usually not stirred, as the dark Kahlua and the vodka should rest on the bottom of the glass below the milk or half and half.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of ice cubes
  • 1 to 1 1/2 oz (30 to 45 mL) vodka
  • 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz (15 to 45 mL) Kahlua
  • Cream, Half & Half, or Milk (to fill or top off the glass)
  • Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)

Steps

  1. Fill a rocks or highball glass with ice.
  2. Pour the vodka into the glass. Use a measuring cup, free pour, or pour a portion from a mini bottle.
    • Mini bottles are 50 milliliters, which is equal to 1.69 fluid ounces. Pour a little more than half of a mini bottle to get about one fluid ounce, and a little more than a quarter of the bottle will be about one half of a fluid ounce. If using one and one half ounces, just pour in the entire bottle and call it even.
  3. Pour the Kahlua into the glass. There is no need to stir, but some may prefer to stir the ingredients at this point with a swizzle stick to mix the alcoholic ingredients.
    • The Kahlua can be poured before the vodka, but even when the Kahlua is poured second it will sink to the bottom of the glass because it is heavier than the vodka.
  4. Top off the glass with half and half or milk. The drink is usually not stirred after adding the half and half or milk, as the alcoholic ingredients, especially the Kahlua, should rest on the bottom of the glass. The dark Kahlua should be evident on the bottom of the glass, and contrast with the milk. The vodka will not be apparent, as it is clear, and it will mix some with the milk.
  5. Garnish with a single maraschino cherry if desired. The cherry can be rested on the surface of the drink itself, and will be supported by the ice cubes that are in the drink. A stemmed cherry that has not been speared with a toothpick is desirable.
  6. Serve the drink with a cocktail straw if desired. The straw will enable the alcoholic ingredients to be sipped from the bottom of the drink, or the drink can be stirred if desired.



Tips

  • Substitute the Kahlua with a different coffee liqueur, such as a Kona coffee liqueur or even homemade coffee liqueur.
  • To make a Colorado Bulldog, add a splash of Coca-Cola and stir or mix in a shaker.
  • Top it off with almond milk instead for a Nutty Russian!
  • To make a Black Russian, withhold the cream (or milk).
  • Hot White Russian cocktails are made with freshly brewed coffee in addition to the Kahlua and the other ingredients, and are served in mugs. To make a Hot White Russian, first preheat a glass or ceramic mug and heat a mixture of coffee and cream (or half and half or milk) in a saucepan. Five parts coffee per one part cream may be desirable. If milk is used, there is little reason not to use less coffee and more milk. Then add about 1 ounce of Kahlua and 1/2 ounce of vodka to the heated mug, and pour in the heated coffee mixture. Garnish with whipped cream if desired. Freshly whipped heavy cream is desirable.
  • Mix the drink in a cocktail shaker and serve in a cocktail glass if desired. A shaken White Russian will have a creamy froth. This is, however, not the classic or traditional way to prepare a White Russian, and should be referred to as a White Russian martini.
  • Add more Kahlua if desired for a stronger coffee flavor.
  • Substituting the cherries with hazelnuts can make a very tasty and classy garnish in the drink.
  • For a twist on the typical white Russian, replace the half-and-half or milk with Bailey's (or another Irish Crème liqueur).
  • Some White Russian recipes call for crème de cacao liqueur in addition to the other ingredients. If this is used, the cocktail can be garnished with grated chocolate.

Warnings

  • Using Baileys as a replacement for cream is quite good, but is not conducive to being a responsible drinker - though it is more efficient. You're basically drinking a glass of liquor.
  • Be careful when serving this drink to diabetics or those with dairy allergies as it contains both sugar (in the Kahlua) and dairy (in the milk/half and half).
  • Always drink alcoholic beverages responsibly.

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