You will love sipping on this smooth and creamy White Russian cocktail. It’s an easy to make coffee-flavored cocktail with a fun twist!
When it comes to happy hour easy cocktails are my go-to. Who wants to spend your well earned after work hours behind the bar? Not me. I usually gravitate towards a sangria recipe that I can whip up the morning or night before, but when a cocktail is this simple it goes on my happiest of hours list! It couldn’t be easier to whip up this White Russian cocktail – vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream join together in this gorgeous drink. Try adding my special ingredient to make it taste like dessert!
WHITE RUSSIAN
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It should come as no surprise that a White Russian is one of my favorite cocktails. It tastes like an iced coffee (one of my most favorite things ever) and it is one-third cream. Yes, CREAM, my friends. This is a sweet, cold and creamy cocktail that you are bound to fall in love with!
My mind is already shifting into holiday mode. I’m dreaming of pumpkin bread, sweet potato casserole, chilly weather, and crunchy leaves. I’m ready to sit next to a warm fire sipping on a White Russian. Who’s with me?!
I consider a White Russian a year-round cocktail (any time is a good time for spiked coffee-flavored goodness!), but I especially think of it as a holiday cocktail. The classic flavors, the touch of decadence, and the fact that calories don’t count during the holidays. It’s perfect for these last few months of the year.
Let’s talk about how to make a traditional White Russian cocktail, then I’ll get to sharing my favorite version (pssst… there’s ice cream involved).
White Russian ingredients
- Vodka
- Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
- Cream
How to make a white Russian
Add the vodka and Kahlua to a glass filled with ice, then add a generous splash of cream and give it a stir. The ratios are often 1 part vodka, 1 part Kahlua and 1 part cream, but when I am making White Russians at home, I change it up a bit.
The first change I make is swapping the cream for half-and-half or whole milk. Although heavy cream is delicious, I find that half-and-half or whole milk still adds plenty of richness without making it too heavy.
I usually follow a ratio of 1 part vodka, 2 parts Kahlua and 3 parts half-and-half. This creates a nice creamy cocktail that has plenty of coffee flavor without too much of a punch from the vodka.
Now, if you wanted to (hint: you do) you could skip adding the ice to your White Russian recipe and instead plop a big fat scoop of vanilla ICE CREAM into it. Guys, please try this at least once. It’s like a spiked coffee milkshake (without dirtying a blender), and it is so dang delicious! Note: instead of using vanilla ice cream, you could also use coffee, chocolate or caramel ice cream. Swoon.
My recipe makes a single serving. You can easily increase the portions to make multiple cocktails or even a whole pitcher. Use the ratio 1 part vodka, 2 parts Kahlua, 3 parts whole milk/half and half/cream to make the quantities needed. And of course, adjust to suit your taste. That’s the beauty of making cocktails at home, you can get them just the way you want them every time.
I’ll leave you with one last little warning: These White Russians are dangerous. They are smooth and tasty and they go down easily. Too easily. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya! Enjoy!
Try some of my other favorite happy hour cocktails!
- Strawberry & Lime Moscato Wine Slushie
- Whiskey Smash
- Lemon Drop Martini
- Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
- Blueberry Mojitos
- More drink recipes…
Tools used to make this White Russian recipe
Jigger: Every home bartender should have a jigger for measuring their cocktail ingredients. This one has a no-slip grip and is marked with increment measuring lines so you can make the perfect cocktail every time.
Rocks Glass: I’m a cocktail enthusiast and a great cocktail should be served in a quality glass. These rocks glasses have a great weight to them and the classic design will never go out of style.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- 2 ounces Kahlua
- 3 ounces cream, half & half or whole milk
- ice cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- Combine vodka and Kahlua in an ice filled glass, add cream and stir to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
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