What ingredients are in a White Russian?

2 oz Vodka, 1 oz Coffee Liqueur, 1 oz Light cream

What glass do you use for a White Russian?

A White Russian is traditionally served in a Old-fashioned glass.

How strong is a White Russian?

A White Russian has an estimated ABV of 19.50%.

How many calories are in a White Russian?

A White Russian contains approximately 290 calories per serving.

White Russian

Caucasian

Glass Old-fashioned glass

Difficulty Easy

Calories ~290 kcal

ABV 19.50%

Ingredients

Instructions

Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with light cream and serve.

IBA ContemporaryClassic Creamy

The White Russian is an IBA Contemporary Classic made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and light cream, built in an old-fashioned glass over ice. It became one of the most culturally recognizable cocktails of the late 20th century, famously associated with the 'Dude' character in the Coen Brothers' 1998 film The Big Lebowski. The combination of coffee liqueur's sweetness and cream's richness with vodka's neutral strength creates an approachable, dessert-like cocktail.

History & Origins

The White Russian is a variation of the Black Russian, a cocktail of Belgian origin created in 1949 by bartender Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. Adding cream to the Black Russian created the White Russian, which appeared in bartending guides by the 1960s. Its popularity peaked dramatically after its prominent appearance in The Big Lebowski (1998), introducing it to a new generation of drinkers and cementing it as a pop cultural icon.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Coffee liqueur's roasted coffee and chocolate sweetness with cream's dairy richness and a subtle vodka warmth. Palate: Rich and indulgent, with coffee liqueur's complex coffee-cocoa sweetness balanced by the cream's dairy smoothness; vodka amplifies the overall strength without competing with the coffee and cream flavors. Finish: Sweet, creamy, and coffee-tinged with a gentle alcoholic warmth.

coffee creamy sweet chocolate smooth

Pro Tip

Pour the cream slowly over the back of a bar spoon onto the surface of the drink for an attractive layered effect, then stir gently before drinking.

Techniques Used

Building Floating

Compare White Russian

Grasshopper

Data verified August 2016

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