A wooden stirrer mixes a tumbler filled with homemade kahlua, vodka, and cream into a white russian drink.

If you are a coffee lover and you’ve never had a White Russian, then you are sorely missing out! A White Russian is like a creamy, boozy latte that you serve over ice. Some folks swear it tastes like chocolate milk, others say it tastes like a creamy coffee house drink, and I say it tastes delicious either way!

The best part of a White Russian is that it takes only three ingredients to make itโ€”coffee liqueur (AKA: kahlรบa), vodka, and heavy cream. It sounds too simple to be delicious, but magic happens when you combine those ingredients, and we’re going to teach you how to be a bartending magician! Let’s get mixing.

Overhead of a bottle of homemade coffee liqueur lying beside a white russian on the rocks.

What is a White Russian?

A White Russian is a chilled cocktail of vodka, coffee-flavored liqueur, and heavy cream served over ice. It only needs a few ingredients, and takes just a minute to mix up. Plus, a White Russian tastes like a boozy latte or coffee milkshakeโ€”whatโ€™s not to love?

What’s the difference between a black and White Russian drink?

The only real difference between a Black Russian and a White Russian cocktail is the addition of cream. The black version is made of only Kahlua and vodkaโ€”no dairy!

How strong is a White Russian?

There are two shots of alcohol in one small low-ball glass, so it’s pretty potent! Watch out for this one!

Protip: Make it stronger

Want something even stronger? Try a Baileys White Russian, and replace the cream with Bailey’s Irish cream (or another brand of Irish cream).

A bottle of homemade kahlua stands next to a fully mixed white russian drink.

What is a White Russian cocktail made of?

There are only three ingredients to a classic White Russian cocktail: one part coffee liqueur, two parts vodka, and a splash of heavy cream. 

What alcohol is in it?

Youโ€™ll need both vodka and kahlua for this one. The vodka makes up the bulk of the drink, but all the coffee flavor goodness comes from the kahlรบa. You can buy a bottle of coffee liqueur, or you can go ahead and make your own kahluaโ€”it is easier than you would think!

How do I make a White Russian?

Are you ready for how simple this is? Leave the cocktail shaker on the barโ€”you wonโ€™t need it!

  1. Pour some vodka and kahlua over ice in a low-ball glass.
  2. Top with heavy cream and stir.

Thatโ€™s seriously it!

Pouring cream into a rocks glass filled with homemade coffee liqueur, vodka, and ice.

Can I make a White Russian with milk?

You can, but it won’t be quite as thick or creamy. If you donโ€™t want to use heavy cream, we recommend using whole milk if you can grab it.

Wholefully Protip

Swapping in flavored coffee creamer for the whole milk is a fun way to make White Russians more festive for the holidays.

 
A wooden stirrer mixes a tumbler filled with homemade kahlua, vodka, and cream into a white russian drink.

White Russian Drink Recipe

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

A White Russian is a classic coffee-flavored cocktail that you need in your bartending repertoire! Let us show you how to make this simple drink.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a low-ball glass with ice.
  2. Top with the heavy cream and stir.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 287Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 0g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

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