White Russian Cocktail: The Creamy Cocktail That’s a Whole Vibe

If you’re in the mood for something creamy, chill and a little bit naughty, the White Russian’s got you. It’s that perfect mix of coffee liqueur, vodka and cream that hits like dessert but you can sip it slow while the night winds down.

Think coffee vibes with a soft kick. Rich but not too heavy, sweet but not trying too hard. It’s the kind of drink that feels like a hug after a long day.

You throw it in a rocks glass over ice and it’s already a whole vibe. That dark coffee liqueur at the bottom, the cream slowly swirling in like it’s in slow motion… it’s lazy in the best way.

Perfect for cozy couch hangs, late-night parties or just treating yourself to something that’s basically a boozy iced coffee with a little more attitude.

What Is a White Russian and Where Did It Come From?

The White Russian is a creamy, boozy cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. It’s like a grown-up iced coffee but with a little more bite.

This drink first showed up in the 1960s as a spin on the Black Russian, which was just vodka and coffee liqueur. Adding cream turned it into the White Russian and gave it that rich, dessert-like vibe.

The drink really blew up in the 1990s thanks to The Big Lebowski, where The Dude made it his signature cocktail. Since then, it’s been the go-to for anyone looking for something smooth, sweet and just a little indulgent.

How to Make the Perfect White Russian at Home

Want that classic White Russian vibe without leaving your couch? Here’s how to make it happen:

• Chill the glass: Fill a rocks glass with ice and let it sit while you grab your ingredients. Keeps the drink nice and cold.
• Start with the base: Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice. Give it a gentle stir to mix.
• Layer the cream: Slowly pour the cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top, creating that signature layered look.
• Mix it up: Want it blended? Give it a stir until the cream swirls in. Want it layered? Let it sit as is and sip through the cream.
• Garnish to impress: Toss a couple of coffee beans on top or dust with a little cocoa powder for that extra touch.

Best Food Pairings for a White Russian

The White Russian is rich, creamy and a little boozy, so it pairs best with decadent, dessert-style bites:

Chocolate brownies: Dense, fudgy and perfect for soaking up that coffee liqueur.

Tiramisu: The coffee and cream in the drink echo the classic Italian dessert.

Chocolate chip cookies: Sweet, buttery and just the right amount of crunch.

Salted caramel popcorn: Sweet, salty and a little sticky… the perfect match for that creamy cocktail.

Vanilla bean ice cream: Scoop it right into the glass for a boozy, creamy float.

The Perfect White Russian Cocktail

The White Russian’s like the cool older cousin of your iced coffee, smooth, creamy and just the right amount of sweet. Vodka, coffee liqueur and cream come together like they’ve been chillin’ forever and the result is this rich, laid-back cocktail that feels like dessert without the fork.

It’s indulgent, sure, but not in a fussy way. Just a glass of pure comfort with a little edge. Perfect when you want something that sips easy and ends the night soft.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Vodka
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
• 1 ounce heavy cream
• Ice cubes
• Coffee beans or cocoa powder for garnish (optional)

Zero-Proof Russian: Replace the vodka with cold brew coffee and the coffee liqueur with a splash of vanilla syrup. Same creamy vibe, no booze.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Mix the Ingredients: Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice. Stir gently to combine.
3. Add Cream: Slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect. Alternatively, you can stir it in for a creamier texture.
4. Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish with a few coffee beans or a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top. Enjoy your classic White Russian!

Prep Times

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 1 cocktail
• Calories: 604 kcal
• Fat: 13g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 69g

White Russian Variations to Try

Wanna switch it up? Here’s how to put a twist on the classic White Russian:

Black Russian: Skip the cream and keep it simple with just vodka and coffee liqueur.

Spiced Russian: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream for a warm, cozy vibe.

Mocha Russian: Swap the cream for chocolate milk for a rich, chocolatey kick.

Coconut Russian: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a tropical, nutty spin.

If you enjoy this you may also like a Black Russian Cocktail, pretty much the same just without the cream!

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Yield: 1

White Russian Cocktail Recipe

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 60 ml Vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
• 30 ml heavy cream
• Ice cubes
• Coffee beans or cocoa powder for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Mix the Ingredients: Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur over the ice. Stir gently to combine.
3. Add Cream: Slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect. Alternatively, you can stir it in for a creamier texture.
4. Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish with a few coffee beans or a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top.
5. Enjoy your classic White Russian!

Notes

Zero-Proof Russian: Replace the vodka with cold brew coffee and the coffee liqueur with a splash of vanilla syrup. Same creamy vibe, no booze.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 604Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 889mgCarbohydrates: 69gFiber: 11gSugar: 32gProtein: 14g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.