White Russian
Velvety vodka and coffee liqueur softened with a cap of cream—an indulgent sipper immortalized by *The Big Lebowski*.
20%
ABV
268
Calories
Rocks
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add vodka and coffee liqueur to a rocks glass filled with ice
Stir gently to combine
Float cream on top
Serve with a stirrer
Glassware
Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Layer the cream by pouring over the back of a spoon
Use freshly made coffee liqueur for better depth
Swap in half-and-half for a lighter body if desired
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the White Russian.
White Cuban
A modern variation on the White Russian, substituting rum for vodka to create a cocktail with richer, sweeter, and more complex sugarcane notes and a distinctly Caribbean soul.
White Mexican
A modern variation on the White Russian, substituting blanco tequila for vodka to create an agave-forward flavor profile with familiar coffee and cream elements.
Dirty Russian
A modern, informal variation of the White Russian, made 'dirty' with the addition of a high-quality chocolate liqueur for depth and complexity.
Anna Kournikova
A lighter take on the White Russian using skim milk instead of heavy cream—a playful nod to the Russian tennis star's athletic physique.
Colorado Bulldog
White Russian with a splash of cola—vodka, coffee liqueur, cream, and cola over ice.
Other Variations
1:1:1 White Russian
Equal parts of all ingredients for extra sweetness and cream.
Changes
IBA Ratio
Follows the official IBA spec of 5:2:3.
Changes
Blind Russian
Adds Irish cream liqueur for extra richness.
Changes
History & Heritage
“The White Russian emerged in the 1960s when bartenders began softening the Black Russian with a float of cream, a move first documented in an Oakland newspaper in 1965. Though it faded for decades, the Coen brothers' 1998 film *The Big Lebowski* revived the drink as the Dude's laid‑back signature. Today craft bars update the formula with house coffee liqueurs or alternative milks, but the core remains a sweet, boozy coffee treat.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Colorado Bulldog
White Russian with a splash of cola—vodka, coffee liqueur, cream, and cola over ice.
Dirty Russian
A modern, informal variation of the White Russian, made 'dirty' with the addition of a high-quality chocolate liqueur for depth and complexity.
Frozen Mudslide
Milkshake‑style dessert—vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream blended smooth with ice (or ice cream).