White Russian

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Vodka, coffee liqueur and heavy cream converge to create a sweet and strong sipper.

If you’ve followed my cocktail adventures here, you’ve probably run across a movie reference or two. Maybe three. And the James Bond stuff doesn’t count. Drinks and 007? That goes without saying. But there are a number of films out there that also have a mixed drink famously associated with them.

Tonight’s libation has been around since about 1965, when it first appeared in ads for Coffee Southern liqueur, a now-defunct product from Southern Comfort. It’s also a riff on another drink from 1949, called the Black Russian. That cocktail, invented by Belgian bartender Gustave Tops, mixes coffee liqueur and vodka. What we’ll be making adds heavy cream to the mix, giving us a White Russian.

The White Russian had been pretty well known over the years, but in 1998, the Coen Brothers released a movie titled The Big Lebowski, starring Jeff Bridges as a lackadaisical stoner called The Dude. Throughout The Dude’s noirish misadventures in Los Angeles, he imbibed quite a few White Russians along the way. Over the years, the drink has become so closely associated with the film and the character that if you Google just the cocktail, a ton of The Big Lebowski connections will fill your feed.

Here’s a useless tidbit, but still fun: I’m an ordained “Dudeist Priest”. I applied online years ago, just for the silliness of it, but it turns out we can officiate weddings in about three states. Or I can. I… we. The royal we.

What is the Best Alcohol to use in a White Russian?

Any unflavored vodka is the way to go, but if you want a slightly sweeter tipple, try a vanilla-infused spirit. As far as the coffee liqueur goes, Kahlúa is the top cop on the shelf, and is always great, but you can try out a few other brands as well. I recently grabbed a bottle of Mr. Black, a cold brew coffee liqueur. It’s very rich, smooth and slightly bitter while carrying a subtle sweetness.

What glassware is used?

Chill either a rocks or Old Fashioned glass in your freezer for up to thirty minutes before preparing your cocktail. Fifteen minutes is fine, too. Or if you can’t wait, a non-chilled glass is totally acceptable.

What is a Blind Russian?

To make this cocktail, use Irish cream liqueur instead of the heavy cream.

Have you ever married a couple as a Dudeist Priest?

No. I lost my certificate years ago, can’t find the email and forgot what states I can do that in. Too bad, too. I bet the reception would’ve been lit.

Similar Cocktails to the White Russian

• Black Russian – The drink that inspired the White Russian, made of vodka and coffee liqueur.
• Tequila Espresso Martini – Some Southwestern flavor joins the coffee cocktail club.
• Frozen Mudslide – Turn your next coffee-based mixture into a dessert with this delicious recipe.
• Revolver – Bourbon and coffee combine for an eye-opening dram.