White Russian

The classic White Russian cocktail is made with vodka, Kahlúa, and cream. It's simple, delicious, and tastes a little bit like iced coffee.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Russian

Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

Servings cocktail

Calories 326kcal

In an Old Fashioned glass filled to the top with ice, add vodka and Kahlúa. Using a bar spoon, stir until well incorporated, about 10 seconds. Top with heavy cream.

Kahlúa: Or substitute any coffee-flavored liqueur such as Tia Maria or Bailey's espresso.
Heavy cream: Or substitute milk, half and half, or a cream liqueur.
Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
Glassware: The White Russian is traditionally made in an Old Fashioned glass, a 6-ounce to 10-ounce glass tumbler. Similar to a rocks glass or lowball glass, the Old Fashioned glass is usually decorated in the cut glass style.
Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) vodka, 8 ounces (1 cup) Kahlúa, and 8 ounces (1 cup) heavy cream in a pitcher. Have ice and glassware on hand so guests can help themselves.
Black Russian: Omit the heavy cream.
Mudslide: Substitute Irish cream for the heavy cream, add a drizzle of chocolate sauce to the inside of the glass, and garnish the drink with chocolate shavings.
Dirty Russian: Substitute chocolate camel's milk for the heavy cream.
White Cuban: Substitute rum for the vodka.
Anna Kournikova: Substitute skim milk for the heavy cream.
Colorado Bulldog: Add a splash of cola.
Hot: Add hot coffee for a hot drink on a cold day.
Cold: Substitute ice cream for the heavy cream for a chilly cocktail.
Shaken: Some prefer the cocktail shaken so the cream is blended with the other ingredients.