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Home » Drinks » White Russian

White Russian

Published: Nov 20, 2018 · Modified: Mar 2, 2020 by Allison · 14 Comments

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You will love sipping on this smooth and creamy White Russian. An easy coffee flavored cocktail with a fun twist! Try adding my special ingredient to make it taste like dessert.

White Russian in a glass with a small gold spoon.

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 has shifted 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?!

MORE COCKTAILS: APEROL SPRITZ – STRAWBERRY SANGRIA – APPLE CIDER SANGRIA – STRAWBERRY MARGARITA– GRASSHOPPER – FROZEN MARGARITA – HOT BUTTERED RUM

Pouring half and half into Kahlua

I consider a White Russian a year-round cocktail (any time is a good time for spiked coffee 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.

White Russian Recipe

Let’s talk about how to make a traditional White Russian, then I’ll get to sharing my favorite version (pssst… there’s ice cream involved).

  • Vodka
  • Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
  • Cream

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 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.

Ingredients to make a White Russian

A fun twist

Now, if you wanted to (hint: you do) you could skip adding the ice to your White Russian 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.

White Russian with a scoop of ice cream

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 everytime.

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!

White russian cocktail in a glass with two gold spoons on the side.

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White russian cocktail in a glass with two gold spoons on the side.

White Russian Recipe

You will love sipping on this smooth and creamy White Russian. An easy coffee flavored cocktail with a fun twist! 
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: beverage
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 multiply as needed
Calories: 312kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • 1 part vodka
  • 2 parts Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
  • 3 parts half and half, cream or milk, I prefer half and half
  • Ice cream, optional

Instructions

  • Combine vodka and Kahlua in an ice filled glass. Slowly add the half and half. Taste and adjust the proportions to suit your taste.

Video

Notes

For one cocktail, I often use a 1oz liquid measuring cup for each "part". 
For a large batch use a ½ cup liquid measuring cup for each "part"; this will make four 6-ounce cocktails. 
Feel free to leave out the ice and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your cocktail.

Nutrition

Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 112mg | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Calcium: 96mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!

This post originally appeared on Real Housemoms where I am a contributor.

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Comments

  1. Nancy

    December 21, 2018 at 7:49 am

    Quick question: Your calories are based on how many ounces total?

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      December 21, 2018 at 9:03 pm

      Approximately 6 ounces total (each “part” being equivalent to 1-ounce). The nutrition facts do not include the optional ice cream.

      Reply
  2. wilhelmina

    May 06, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    I wish I was sipping on one of these right now! So delicious!

    Reply
  3. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

    May 06, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    Love how simple and easy this recipe is! I’ll be making it again!

    Reply
  4. Suzy

    June 21, 2019 at 7:28 am

    5 stars
    We sneaked in some ice cream and it was SO GOOD!

    Reply
  5. Meagen Brosius

    June 21, 2019 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    Such a great recipe. I always feel like these are so fancy but they’re SO easy to make! One of my favorites Yum!

    Reply
  6. Foggy

    September 01, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    and… lol instead of ice cream, give it a shot of coca-cola!!!!! it makes it fizz up and like it has ice cream (oh yeah!). this drink has several names: Colorado Bulldog, Tire Biter and Paralyzer!

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      September 04, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      Great idea! That sounds delicious!

      Reply
  7. Ashley

    September 10, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    Simple, easy to make and just what I was looking for. Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Sandi

    September 10, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    You are speaking my love language with those White Russians!! Gorgeous.

    Reply
  9. JJ

    February 29, 2020 at 9:24 pm

    4 stars
    This drink is a standard White Russian and is very good. However, your calories cannot be correct if each “part” equals one ounce. One ounce of vodka equals 64 calories. One ounce of Kahlua equals 91 calories. So, the vodka and Kahlua would equal 246 calories before you add the cream. Just sayin’.

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      March 02, 2020 at 10:15 am

      Hi, JJ. You are correct. There was an error in my nutrition calculator. It has been fixed. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Gail Atkinson

    March 03, 2021 at 3:51 pm

    If I may add my version…i use mostly original almond milk, prob 2/3 and 1/3 heavy cream. The small amount if cream adds the needed creamy flavor but isn’t quite as hevy and a lot less calories. PLUS, I sometimes add 1 part creme De menthe for a mint coffee flavor. Delicious.

    Reply
    • Allison

      March 05, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Sounds great! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply

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