How To Make A White Russian Cocktail At Home?

Anyone who’s seen the 1990’s movie ‘The Big Lebowski’ will know about the White Russian drink and how good it tastes. It is a mix of Kahlua, heavy cream, and vodka, served over ice in a rock glass to minimise the drink’s strength. Making the White Russian is very straightforward, and the ingredients are items you’ll likely find in your refrigerator.

Indeed, this is a drink for every bartender to include in their collection of drinks. Although it tastes like a chocolate coffee milkshake, the White Russian can get you drunk if you consume too much.Although, mocktails are also a refreshing option but this cocktail recipe is quite versatile and are perfect for every season. You can enjoy it as the perfect drink to round up an exciting day.

Preparing this nice cocktail drink couldn’t have been any easier. Although there are various ways to prepare this drink, every method is simple. In this article, you’ll learn the different ways of making the White Russian from the comfort of your home.

General Preparation of the White Russian Cocktail

Step 1: Measure the Ingredients

It would help if you didn’t make the mistake of not measuring your ingredients to avoid mixing your drink out of proportion. Careful measurement ensures every part of the ingredients blends appropriately to give you a great taste. Also, measuring the ingredients allows you to know exactly how to recreate the taste of the cocktail. You can reduce the cream and vodka ratio if you prefer a milder taste.

Step 2: Use a Quality Coffee Liqueur Brand

Since the ingredients involved in making a White Russian are few, it’s essential to use only quality products. This ensures the taste comes out great. Although Kahlua is readily available, it may not be the only alternative. If you’re unsure of the suitable coffee liqueur for your cocktail, inquire from your bartender when next you’re at the bar to find out the products they use. They can help you choose the best coffee liqueur from the options.

• The Single White Russian

Ingredients Needed to Make the Single White Russian

• Ice
• 30 ml of vodka
• 30 ml of heavy cream
• 30 ml of Kahlua / coffee liqueur

Directions to Make the Single White Russian

1. Get a clean rocks glass and fill it with ice. If you want the cocktail to stay cold, chill the glass before preparing the drink.
2. Add 2 ounces of Kahlua / coffee liqueur and 2 ounces of vodka to the ice.
3. After that, gently pour the heavy cream on top of the vodka and Kahlua mixture. Alternatively, you can use whipping cream in place of heavy cream.
4. Stir the entire mixture carefully. Although some people like to leave the heavy cream layer visible at the top, you can stir to get a swirl pattern. This gives you a creamy taste with every sip. Plus, it makes the drink look much more impressive.
5. Garnish, then serve your White Russian cocktail. For simple garnishes, you can put maraschino cherry and serve. Alternatively, topping the cocktail with toasted marshmallows or sweetened whipped cream is another excellent garnish.

 

2. The Large Batch of White Russian

Ingredients to Make a Large Batch of White Russian

• Ice
• 590 ml of vodka
• 590 ml of heavy cream
• 590 ml of Kahlua / coffee liqueur

Directions on Making the Large Batch of White Russian

1. Get a clean jug, measure and pour 590 ml of Kahlua into it. 
2. Measure the same quantity of vodka into the jug and stir properly.
3. Seal the jug with nylon and refrigerate till you’re ready to serve the cocktails. Ensure you don’t put heavy cream or ice into the mixture so that you can store it for up to one week.
4. When you are ready to make the cocktail, place ice into the rocks glass.
5. Pour the Kahlua and heavy cream into each glass.
6. Gently stir until you’re satisfied with the mixture.

 

3. The Baileys White Russian

Ingredients of the Baileys White Russian

• Ice
• 15 ml of vodka
• 59 ml of whole milk
• 7.4 ml of Kahlua / coffee liqueur
• 44 ml of Baileys Irish Cream / Espresso Creme Liqueur

Directions on Making the Baileys White Russian

1. Get a clean highball glass with at least 180 ml in size.
2. Fill the glass with ice. You can chill the glass if you want your drink to remain cold for longer.
3. Measure and pour 44 ml of Baileys Irish Cream, 15 ml of vodka, 7.4 ml of Kahlua, and 59 ml of whole milk into the glass container.
4. Properly stir the cocktail till you get an even mixture. You can use a cocktail stirrer or a spoon to stir effectively.
5. Finally, garnish the cocktail before serving. You can add a cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg, whipped cream, or maraschino cherry.With this, you can also add a few drops of CBD oil to attain its therapeutic benefits or if you wanted to have a calming experience then CBD oil can be an amazing edition to this drink.  
6. Enjoy your cocktail.

 

4. The Classic White Russian

Ingredients Needed to Make the Classic White Russian

• Ice cubes
• 60 ml of vodka
• 30 ml of Kahlua
• Organic Valley cream

Directions on Making the Classic White Russian

1. Fill out a rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Measure 30 ml of the Kahlua into the container 
3. Then pour 60 ml of the vodka into the rocks glass.
4. Put organic valley cream into the mixture.
5. Stir till you achieve your desired blend.

 

5. The Pumpkin Pie White Russian

This version of the White Russian cocktail involves using a pumpkin spice.

Ingredients for the Pumpkin Spice Creamer

• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¾ cup of Organic valley cream
• ¼ cup of Organic valley whole milk
• 3 tbsp of pumpkin puree
• ¼ tsp of ground ginger
• Maple Syrup

Ingredients Needed to Mix the Cocktail

• Ice cubes
• 1.5 oz of vodka
• 1 oz of Kahlua
• Crushed biscuit
• Maple syrup

Directions to Make the Pumpkin Pie White Russian

1. For this White Russian variation, combine the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until everything is absorbed.
2. Allow it cool for some time.
3. Fill the rocks glass with ice, and rim with crushed biscuit and maple syrup.
4. Pour the measured 1 oz of vodka into the glass.
5. Also, pour 1.5 oz of Kahlua into the old-fashioned glass.
6. Finally, add the pumpkin spice creamer and stir with a stirrer or spoon.

 

6. The Salted Caramel White Russian

Ingredients of the Salted Caramel White Russian

• Caramel sauce
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1.5 oz Kahlua
• Ice cubes
• Whipped cream
• 1.5 oz salted caramel syrup
• 1.5 oz milk

Directions on Making the Salted Caramel White Russian

1. Pour the vodka, salted caramel syrup, and Kahlua into a mixing glass.
2. Stir the solution with a bar spoon.
3. Apply caramel sauce into a rocks glass and add some ice.
4. Afterward, pour the mixture of the caramel syrup, vodka, and Kahlua into the glass cup containing caramel sauce.
5. Add the milk and whipped cream.
6. Serve and enjoy your salted caramel White Russian.

 

7. The Cookies and Cream White Russian

Ingredients of the Cookies and Cream White Russian

• 2.5 oz of milk
• 1.5 oz of Kahlua
• 1.5 oz of vodka
• ⅓ cup crushed Oreos
• 2 Oreos
• ½ cup of honey
• Whole Oreos for garnishing

Directions on Making the Cookies and Cream White Russian

1. Crush two Oreos in a glass
2. Then add 2.5 oz of milk, 1.5 oz of vodka, and Kahlua into the glass, and shake.
3. Fill a rocks glass with ice and rim the glass cup with crushed Oreos and honey.
4. Pour the milk, vodka, and Kahlua into the glass rocks, and stir.
5. Garnish appropriately with the whole Oreos.

 

8. The Dude’s Delight White Russian

Ingredients of the Dude’s Delight White Russian

• Ice
• 1 oz of coffee liqueur
• 1 oz of Vodka
• 1 oz of coffee
• 0.25 oz of Luxardo Sambuca
• 4 oz of milk
• Cocoa powder for garnishing the cocktail

Directions on Making the Dude’s Delight White Russian

1. Add ice into a shaker glass, and pour the ingredients of vodka, coffee liqueur, Luxardo Sambuca, milk, and coffee into the shaker.
2. Shake all the ingredients for a few seconds.
3. Fill your glass cup with the mixture.
4. Finally, garnish your Dude’s Delight White Russian cocktail with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

 

9. The White Russian Float

This White Russian cocktail variation treats you to a creamy float. You can prepare the White Russian Float as a fancy dessert drink for dinner. 

Ingredients of the White Russian Float

• Ice
• 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
• 2 oz of vodka
• 1.5 oz of coffee liqueur
• 2 oz of coffee creamer

Directions on Making the White Russian Float

1. Put 2 oz of vodka, ice, and cream into a shaker and shake to ensure an even mixture.
2. Take one scoop of vanilla ice cream and put it inside the glass. 
3. Then put coffee liqueur inside the mixture and serve.

 

10. The Peanut Butter White Russian

Enjoy the rich peanut butter taste in this White Russian variant of milk, vodka, coffee, and peanut butter.

Ingredients of the Peanut Butter White Russian

• Ice cubes
• Peanut butter
• 1.5 oz of milk
• 1 oz of Kahlua
• 1.5 oz of vodka

Directions on Making the Peanut Butter White Russian

1. Ground the peanut butter, vodka, and milk with a blender.
2. Pour the 1 oz of Kahlua into a rocks glass and add some ice cubes.
3. Include the 1.5 oz of milk.
4. Stir properly with a stirrer for an even mixture
5. Garnish the Peanut Butter White Russian and serve.

 

11. The Chocolate White Russian

We all love chocolate, and when you add that to one of the best cocktails, you get a fantastic taste.

Ingredients of the Chocolate White Russian

• 1 cup of cocoa powder
• 1 cup of sugar
• 0.5 oz chocolate sauce
• ½ tsp of salt
• 0.01 oz of vanilla extract
• Ice cubes
• 1.5 oz double cream
• 1 oz Kahlua
• Shaved chocolate
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 cup of water

Directions on Making the Chocolate White Russian

1. Get a saucepan, and merge the ingredients.
2. Let it simmer till it gets thick, and allow it to cool.
3. Put ice inside a rocks glass and fill with chocolate sauce, cream, Kahlua, and vodka.
4. Stir everything using a stirrer or bar spoon.
5. Garnish your Chocolate White Russian with some shaved chocolate.

 

12. The Butterscotch White Russian

The Butterscotch White Russian has similar ingredients to the Caramel White Russian. However, the primary difference is the presence of butterscotch schnapps to aid the flavor.

Ingredients of the Butterscotch White Russian

• Ice
• Butterscotch candies
• 1 oz of Butterscotch Schnapps
• Caramel Syrup
• 1 oz of Kahlua
• 1 oz of vodka
• 2 oz of coffee creamer

Directions on Making the Butterscotch White Russian

1. Grind butterscotch candies.
2. Put crushed candy and caramel syrup into a rocks glass.
3. Place some ice cubes into the mixture
4. Finalise it by adding the remaining ingredients.

 

13. The Dude Abides White Russian

This version of the White Russian consumes more ingredients than the usual White Russian cocktail.

Ingredients of The Dude Abides White Russian

• One egg white
• Ice
• 0.5 oz of Chile Liqueur
• 0.25 oz of Walnut Liqueur
• 0.25 oz of honey syrup
• ½ glass of Dark Beer
• 1 oz of coffee-infused vodka

Directions on Making The Dude Abides White Russian

1. Combine the vodka with coffee blends and strain the vodka with a coffee filter or sieve.
2. Pour the dark beer inside a rocks glass.
3. After, add the walnut liqueur, coffee-infused vodka, honey syrup, egg white, and chile liqueur inside the shaker glass.
4. Without adding any ice cube, dry shake the ingredients.
5. Put the ice cubes in another shaker glass, and add the mixture to the ice.
6. Shake the mixture again.
7. Get your beer glass, and float the mixture using a sieve

 

14. The Cold Foam White Russian

Like its name, the Cold Foam White Russian is creamy and foamy.

Ingredients of the Cold Foam White Russian

• Ice cubes
• 1.5 oz of Kahlua
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 oz of vodka

Directions on Making the Cold Foam White Russian

1. Using a blender, blend the milk along with some ice till it gets foamy
2. Get an old-fashioned glass and fill it with some ice cubes.
3. Pour 1.5 oz Kahlua and 1 oz of vodka into the glass cup.
4. After that, stir with a spoon.
5. Top the mixture with the foamed milk in step 1.
6. You can garnish the cocktail alongside some coffee beans.

 

15. The Vegan White Russian

Ingredients of the Vegan White Russian

• Some ice cubes
• 2 oz of vodka
• 1 oz of chocolate syrup
• 3 oz of cashew milk
• 1.5 oz of Kahlua

Directions on Making the Vegan White Russian

1. Get a clean rocks glass and trickle some chocolate syrup to the edges.
2. Fill the glass with some ice cubes.
3. Pour 3 oz of cashew milk, 2 oz of vodka, and 1.5 oz of Kahlua into the glass.
4. Stir the mixture to make a swirl.

 

16. The Chai White Russian

In this version of the White Russian, alcohol combines with tea to give it a sublime and great taste.

Ingredients of the Chai White Russian

• Some ice
• 1 oz of syrup
• 2 oz of white rum
• 2 oz of light cream
• 1 tea bag

Directions on Making the Chai White Russian

1. Pour the white rum inside a cocktail glass and wet the tea bag.
2. Allow both the rum and the tea bag to infuse.
3. Place the ice inside the mixture and add syrup.
4. Pour the light cream into the solution
5. If you like, you can garnish the cocktail before serving.

 

17. The Naughty Dog White Russian

Yet another weird name for this classic White Russian variant. It tastes great and seems like a single White Russian and Colorado Bulldog combo.Nowadays, individuals prefer trying different CBD strains as such strains go well with such cocktails and offer an amazing euphoric experience. 

Ingredients of the Naughty Dog White Russian

• Heavy cream
• 1 oz of Kahlua
• Ice
• 2.5 oz of root beer
• 1.5 oz of rum

Directions on Making the Naughty Dog White Russian

1. Pour the 1 oz of Kahlua and the rum into an old-fashioned glass cup.
2. Include the ice and pour the root beer inside the mixture of rum and Kahlua.
3. Apply heavy cream and mix the drink with a cocktail stirrer or bar spoon.
4. If you wish, you can garnish your cocktail with some nutmeg.

 

18. The Coconut White Russian

The Coconut White Russian cocktail drink gives you a pleasant coconut flavor. It includes coconut milk rather than cream and is an ideal drink for the beach.

Ingredients of the Coconut White Russian

• Ice
• Coconut milk
• 1.5 oz of Kahlua
• 1 oz of vodka

Directions on Making the Coconut White Russian

1. Place some ice inside an old-fashioned glass cup.
2. Measure 1 oz of vodka and 1.5 oz of Kahlua into the old-fashioned glass cup.
3. Top off with coconut milk.
4. Stir the Coconut White Russian effectively using a stirrer.

 

19. The White Nun White Russian

Ingredients of the White Nun White Russian

• 1 oz of coffee liqueur
• 1 oz of heavy cream
• ¾ oz of whole milk
• 1 tsp of coffee syrup
• ¾ oz of brandy

Directions on Making the White Nun White Russian

1. Allow the whole milk, coffee syrup, and heavy cream to simmer in a saucepan.
2. Remove from the heat and include the brandy and coffee liqueur.
3. Pour the mixture into a rocks glass and add the cream.
4. Stir the mixture and serve accordingly.

 

20. The Ozark Speedball White Russian

Instead of vodka, white whiskey is used in this variant of the White Russian.

Ingredients of the Ozark Speedball White Russian

• Half cup of heavy cream
• 1 oz of chilled coffee
• Angostura bitters
• 1 oz of coffee liqueur
• 1 oz of white whiskey

Directions on Making the Ozark Speedball White Russian

1. Get a glass shaker and stir the coffee liqueur, whiskey, and coffee inside the rocks glass.
2. Apply heavy cream with some Angostura bitters
3. Garnish the cocktail with some drops of orange oil.

 

21. The Espresso Martini White Russian

Ingredients of the Espresso Martini White Russian

• ¼ cup of heavy cream
• 1 oz of coffee
• One and a half oz of vodka
• ¾ oz of coffee liqueur
• ¾ oz of vanilla liqueur

Directions on Making the Espresso Martini White Russian

1. Get an ice-filled shaker and combine the vanilla liqueurs, vodka, and coffee
2. Stir the strain in a rocks glass 
3. Top it off with heavy cream before dusting it with cocoa powder.

 

22. The Dulce y Salado White Russian

Ingredients of the Dulce y Salado White Russian

• 1 tbsp of kosher salt
• 1 oz of cream sherry
• 1 tbsp of ground coffee
• ¼ cup of syrup
• 1 oz of brewed coffee.

Directions on Making the Dulce y Salado White Russian

1. Put the syrup on a plate and stir the salt and ground coffee
2. Fill the rocks glass with the coffee mixture.
3. Afterward, fill with ice and add the brewed coffee, sherry, and liqueur.
4. Then properly stir the drink. 

Difference Between a White Russian and Black Russian Cocktail

Both cocktails are essentially the same, with a slight difference. The significant difference between both is that the White Russian includes cream while the Black Russian does not. Both drinks use the same old-fashioned glass containing ice.

History of the White Russian

Neither the Black nor the White Russian cocktail is of Russian origin. The drink was so named due to the presence of vodka as its primary ingredient. The White Russian cocktail drink began in the late 1940s when a Belgian barman – Gustave Tops, made the cocktail.

Over the next decade, the White Russian started becoming popular, featuring in California’s ‘Oakland Tribune’ in 1965. Despite this, the cocktail remained lowly regarded compared to other popular cocktails.

However, the story changed in 1998 with the release of the movie ‘The Big Lebowski.’ This saw the White Russian Cocktail surge in popularity. Throughout the movie, the cocktail appeared as the beverage of choice. In fact, before ‘The Big Lebowski,’ the drink was gradually declining until an upsurge in popularity due to the movie.

When to Serve a White Russian? 

The White Russian is a versatile drink and can be served on many occasions and events. The following events are great for serving the White Russian cocktail.

• After dinner: You can drink a White Russian cocktail after dinner with your family and loved ones.
• A house party: Whenever you host a house party, consider including some White Russian cocktails. It’s an easy drink to prepare for a house party, and various variants can be available.
• During Christmas: Christmas is a festive season, and the White Russian is appropriate for such an occasion.
• For dessert: The White Russian is a pleasant way to end a good meal.
• At a Lebowski viewing event: Since the cocktail became popular after the Lebowski movie, it’s an excellent drink for such an event.

Storing the White Russian cocktail

The White Russian drink is best made right before serving. However, you can make the drink about 12 hours earlier if you’re preparing for a large party. In any case, if there is any leftover, you can preserve the drink by using ice cube trays and freezing it till it becomes solid.

FAQs About White Russian Drink

• Does a White Russian drink require stirring?

If you’re making the cocktail for a small group of family and friends, you may want to keep the cream unstirred. Although this can be down to personal preference, stirring the White Russian drink allows for a balance of the ingredients, giving you an even taste. However, mixing the ingredients together before serving keeps it balanced for large gatherings.

• How long does it take to prepare a White Russian?

Making a White Russian doesn’t take long. In many cases, it takes less than three minutes to prepare. When preparing, ensure you use quality ingredients for a great drink.

• When is the best time for a White Russian?

There is no best time to consume a White Russian. The White Russian is ideal for all seasons. You can have a White Russian after lunch or dinner, depending on your mood. Also, the drink is ideal for many occasions. Therefore, you can decide when you feel like having a White Russian drink.

• Can I make use of milk instead of cream?

Yes. Not everyone likes cream. As a result, you can use milk for your White Russian.

• How did the White Russian come about?

The drink first appeared in 1949 as a Black Russian cocktail. Then the addition of cream makes it the White Russian cocktail. It’s important to note that the White and Black Russian cocktails have no Russian origin. The ‘Russian’ in its name came to be because of the vodka involved in its preparation. Also, it became popular after the movie ‘The Big Lebowski.’

• What does a White Russian taste like?

Generally, a White Russian tastes creamy. Also, there are different versions of the White Russian, thus, giving each a unique sweet taste. When combined, the significant ingredients of vodka, heavy cream, and Kahlua give a dessert-like drink.

Conclusion: Will This White Russian Cocktail Immediately Uplift Your Mood?

That’s all! Everything you need to make an impressive White Russian cocktail. If you prefer a lighter version of the cocktail, you can use milk instead of heavy cream. Milk might be more accessible for you than cream. Also, it makes the cocktail easier to drink and reduces the number of calories. However, milk isn’t as tasty and rich as cream.

Although some say that the White Russian is made with the same proportion of the three ingredients of cream, vodka, and Kahlua, you can decide to change the ratios depending on your desire.