Recipes

White Russian

An icon of cult cinema and a staple of cream-based cocktails, the White Russian is a simple, decadent, and satisfying drink. It's essentially a Black Russian with the addition of cream, transforming it into a luxurious dessert-like beverage.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz (60ml) Vodka
  • 1 oz (30ml) Coffee Liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
  • 1 oz (30ml) Heavy Cream
  • Garnish: None (optional: coffee beans)

Instructions

  1. Chill the Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned glass (or rocks glass) with ice cubes to thoroughly chill it.
  2. Build the Drink: Pour the vodka and then the coffee liqueur over the ice.
  3. Float the Cream: To create the signature layered look, gently pour the heavy cream over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top of the dark liquid.
  4. Serve: Serve the drink just like this, with a stirrer on the side. The presentation is part of the experience; the drinker can then stir the cream into the cocktail to their preference.

Pro Tips for Perfection

Quality of Cream: The choice of cream significantly impacts the texture. Heavy cream will create a rich, distinct layer and a velvety mouthfeel when stirred. Half-and-half is a lighter alternative, and whole milk can be used in a pinch, though it will integrate more quickly and result in a less rich drink.

To Shake or Not to Shake: While the classic recipe involves floating the cream, some prefer to shake the cream lightly first to aerate it. Shaking it in a cocktail shaker with one ice cube until just chilled and slightly thickened will give the top layer a frothier, more delicate texture.

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