Smooth, delicious, and refreshing, the white Russian is like an iced-coffee with an added kick, and a perfect way to end your week.
The White Russian as we enjoy it today was first documented in the Oakland Tribune in November 1965. According to the Oxford English Dictionary this is widely believed to be the first published instance of the cocktail. However a cocktail called the “White Russian” appeared in a Southern Comfort ad in the Boston Globe that predates the Oakland mention, as one of the cocktails to make using the now long forgotten Coffee Southern liqueur.
The black Russian is understood to have originated in Brussels, Belgium in 1949. Neither drink is actually Russian, the name was given because of the use of vodka. There is speculation that both drinks may have been invented around the same time and that only written credit was given to the drink in the mid 60’s.
The white Russian became quite popular during the 70’s disco craze, but seemed to have been packed away with the mirrored balls and forgotten, until a 1998 Coen brother film, The Big Lewbowski starring Jeff Bridges singlehandedly vaulted the drink into the realm of legends.
Another movie reference to the famous cocktail is the 2004 film Catwoman, when the protagonist orders a drink. “White Russian, no ice, no vodka … hold the Kahlua”
- 1 oz Kahula
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz cream or half and half
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Fill a rocks glass with ice.
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Add the first to ingredients and stir.
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Add the cream and stir again.
As most drinks that have been around for a while there are many variations, here a just a few.
White Canadian – made with goat’s milk
Blind Russian – made with Baileys Irish Cream instead of cream
White Mexican – made with horchata
Anna Kournikova- made with skimmed milk
White Cuban – made with rum instead of vodka
As always I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
