4 min

White Russian, a creamy drink with intense flavour

The White Russian is a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. This drink is served over ice and is associated with the movie The Big Lebowski (1998), as the main character is a big fan of the White Russian.

Cocktails

4 min

vodka coffee liqueur cream

Ingredients

Vodka

Coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua)

Cream

Ice cubes

Nutritional Profile

Calories

275 per serving

Alcohol content

25% alcohol by volume (ABV)

Blind Russian

Instead of cream, a Blind Russian is prepared with Irish Cream Liqueur.

White Cuban

The White Cuban uses rum instead of vodka.

Colorado Bulldog

The only difference between the White Russian and the Colorado Bulldog is the addition of splash of Coca-Cola to the latter.

Vegan White Russian

The Vegan White Russian swaps the cream for plant-based alternatives such as coconut cream or almond milk.

Ozark Speedball

In this variation of the White Russian, vodka is replaced by white whiskey, and a few drops of orange oil are added at the end.

Why is this drink called a White Russian?

This drink is known as a White Russian because of the cream added to the original Black Russian recipe, which consisted of vodka and coffee liqueur. The term “white” refers to the whitish colour resulting from the addition of milk, while the term “russian” is a reference to the Russian vodka in the cocktail. Although it is not originally from Russia, the drink is associated with the country because some say that the name could be a historical pun, possibly an allusion to the “Whites”, who opposed the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War.

What is the difference between White Russian and black russian?

A Black Russian is a drink made with vodka and coffee liqueur. It was the drink that inspired the White Russian, which uses the same ingredients plus cream.

How is a White Russian served?

A White Russian is typically served in an Old Fashioned glass, with ice cubes to keep the drink cool.

What are the ingredients of White Russian?

A White Russian is made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream.