White Russian
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounces coffee liqueur
- 1 ounces heavy cream
Instructions
1. Fill an old-fashioned (rocks) glass with the ice cubes.
2. Add the vodka and coffee liqueur to the glass and stir until well chilled and slightly diluted, 10–15 seconds.
3. Gently pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top; let it marble for a few seconds, then stir briefly if you prefer it fully blended.
4. Serve immediately.
A White Russian is a rich, velvety cocktail that combines vodka and coffee liqueur with a float of heavy cream. The result is a balanced sip that is sweet but not cloying, with coffee-caramel notes rounded by the cream’s lush texture. Served over ice in a rocks glass, it’s both indulgent and approachable, making it a perennial favorite for dessert-like nightcaps.
Despite its name, the White Russian is not Russian; the title references vodka rather than origin. It evolved from the Black Russian, a 1949 drink attributed to a Brussels bartender, by adding cream—most commonly seen in American bar culture by the 1960s. Its popularity surged in the late 20th century and cemented itself as a pop-culture icon in the United States, especially after its prominent role in film.