How to Make a White Russian
A White Russian is just three ingredients, vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, but the ratio and pour order decide whether it tastes balanced or ends up either syrupy-sweet or watered down before you finish it.
Steps
- 1Fill a rocks glass with ice, using large cubes if you have them since they melt slower than crushed ice.
- 2Pour 2 oz (60 ml) vodka over the ice.
- 3Add 1 oz (30 ml) coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, and stir the two together for a few seconds.
- 4Pour 1 oz (30 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the drink.
- 5Let the cream sit on top rather than stirring it in immediately, so you get the classic layered look.
- 6Stir gently right before drinking if you prefer the flavors fully combined, or sip through the layers as you go.
Common mistakes
- Using too much cream: more than 1 oz turns the drink into a milky dessert instead of a balanced cocktail.
- Pouring cream straight down instead of over a spoon: it crashes into the liquor and mixes unevenly instead of sitting on top.
- Using small or crushed ice: it melts fast and dilutes the drink before the cream even settles.
- Skipping the stir between vodka and coffee liqueur: they're close in density and can layer awkwardly if the cream goes on top of unmixed liquor.
Equipment
- Rocks glass (double old-fashioned glass)
- Jigger or measuring shot glass
- Bar spoon
FAQ
What's the difference between a White Russian and a Black Russian?
A Black Russian is just vodka and coffee liqueur with no cream; adding cream on top turns it into a White Russian.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, but milk floats less distinctly and thins out faster, so the layered effect disappears within a minute or two.
What coffee liqueur works best?
Kahlúa is the standard choice, but Tia Maria or a homemade coffee liqueur both work since the key is a coffee-forward sweetness rather than a specific brand.
Why does the cream float instead of sinking?
Cream is less dense than the vodka and coffee liqueur mixture below it, so poured gently over a spoon it sits on top instead of dropping through.
Need exact temperatures or timing? Check our Time & Temperature Guide →