White Russian
Hey, careful man, there's a beverage here!
Written by CraftJack | Updated | 2 min read
The appeal of the White Russian is its simplicity. Though calling the mixed drink simple does not reduce its elegance.
As The Dude proves in the 1998 movie, The Big Lebowski, one can make a White Russian in the time it takes to answer a knock at the door. Here's Jeff Bridges, who plays The Dude, in real life making White Russians at a bar.
Jeff goes on to state that his favorite way to make a White Russian is to use Tito's Handmade Vodka. Does that make it more American than Russian, given that Tito's is an American brand? We'll let you decide.
Related: How much does a handle of Tito's cost?
White Russians & The Big Lebowski
The Dude loves drinking White Russians. We're fairly certain that no one has done more for the cocktail than The Dude. Not Vodka, not Kahlua, and certainly not Heavy Cream.
That's the magic of The Big Lebowski.
One thing that's interesting about the White Russian is that many people assume that Kahlua is an absolute must when creating the mixed drink. The coffee liqueur brand has become synonymous with the cocktail.
However, any brand of coffee Liqueur will do, as the White Russian is not one of the five trademarked cocktails.
The Heavy Cream though, that's where it's at. The Heavy Cream is what most college kids leave out because they're just using the milk that's in their fridge to make the cocktail.
We strongly urge you to get the drink right when you make it.
Equipment
- Ice
- Rocks Glass
Ingredients
A White Russian is a Vodka-based cocktail that has coffee liqueur and heavy cream in it. While popular in its own right, the mixed drink saw a resurgence in popularity due to the 1998 movie, The Big Lebowski. The cocktail was invented in the 1940s.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vodka | 2oz |
| Coffee Liqueur | 1oz |
| Heavy Cream | Dash |
Substitute Ingredients & Variations
- You can substitute the Heavy Cream for Half & Half if you prefer.
- You can substitute the Kahlua for any decent coffee liqueur.
- You can substitute regular Vodka for a Whipped Cream, Salted Caramel or Cake-flavored Vodka if you want to play with the flavor profile of the adult beverage.
Steps
-
1.Gather Ingredients
The ingredients to make a White Russian include Vodka, Coffee Liqueur and Cream
-
2.Add Coffee Liqueur
Add the Coffee Liqueur. Any coffee liqueur will do. We prefer Kahlua.
-
3.Add Vodka
Add the Vodka. Once again, any vodka will do. We prefer something better than college swill. Here we are using Tito's. Your choice though really.
-
4.Add Heavy Cream
Add a dash of Heavy Cream. Heavy Cream is so much more delicious than milk or half and half. If given the option, always opt for Heavy Cream when making a White Russian.
-
5.
Serve the Cocktail
You're finished making the drink. Enjoy.
FAQs
What type of glass do you pour a White Russian cocktail into?
A Rocks Glass.
What does an White Russian pair well with?
Bowling. A White Russian pairs well with Bowling.
Is a White Russian a strong drink?
The White Russian is a medium-strength cocktail. You increase the strength of the mixed drink by overpouring your liquor, and decrease the strength by adding extra heavy cream or ice.
How much caffeine is in a White Russian?
There is no natural caffeine in a White Russian cocktail.
How much alcohol content is in a White Russian?
A White Russian ranges between 25-50%, depending on how heavy-handed the pour is.
Will a White Russian get you drunk?
A single White Russian drink probably won't get you drunk. However, more than one could. Several will get you drunk.
