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”

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White Russian

Cool, smooth, and delicious. Coffee liquor with a velvety finish.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 1 oz Kahula
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz cream or half and half

Instructions

• Fill a rocks glass with ice.
• Add the first to ingredients and stir.
• Add the cream and stir again.

Notes

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!

Tall, cool, and refreshing, the Long Island Iced Tea is the impostor of drinks. Appearing as innocent as a Ladies’ Auxiliary beverage, this cocktail packs a punch.

The Long Island Tea arrived on the scene in the late 1970’s, and has thought to have been invented at the Oak Beach Inn on New York’s Long Island, however recent rumors place the drink to a much different place and time. There is discussion that the cocktail was actually created in the 1920’s during prohibition, a time when many drinks were disguised as non-alcoholic beverages. The new information claims that a community name Long Island in Kingsport, Tennessee to be the actual place of birth, and the name sake. I guess both stories make sense, and perhaps we will never be sure. One thing you can be certain about, is that this drink is a great way to end the week.

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Long Island Iced Tea

Tall, cool, and refreshing, the Long Island Iced Tea is the impostor of drinks. Appearing as innocent as a Ladies’ Auxiliary beverage, this cocktail packs a punch.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 1 part vodka
• 1 part tequila
• 1 part rum
• 1 part gin
• 1 part triple sec
• 1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix
• 1 splash Coca-Cola®

Instructions

• Pour all ingredients in to a cocktail shaker.
• Stir to mix.
• Pour over ice and garnish with a wedge of lemon or lime, and enjoy!

Notes

Use this recipe to make a pitcher or a single glass.

The Moscow Mule was invented in 1941 in New York’s Chatham Hotel by John G. Martin, an east coast spirits and food distributor, and John “Jack” Morgan, President of Cock ‘n’ Bull Products (which produced ginger beer) and proprietor of the Cock ‘n’ Bull Tavern, a bar on Sunset Boulevard popular with celebrities. Apparently the two men were drinking in the Chatham bar with Rudolph Kunett, president of the Pierre Smirnoff vodka company, when they came up with the concoction. The drink became extremely popular in the Los Angeles tavern, and by 1942 the drink was touted as the craze of the movie colony.

A good Moscow Mule is hard to come by. Traditionally the drink is served in a copper mug. I don’t know the reason for this, and do not even know if there is one. The only thing I can find is that it might have something to do with oxidation. I would wager it was more of a marketing ploy to set this cocktail apart from all of the other vodka drinks.

Moscow Mules are seldom found in copper mugs anymore due to the cost of copper and the bad habit of people stealing the novel cup. The few remaining places I know that still use copper mugs, either hold your ID or require a deposit.

I was lucky enough to stumble across a set of four mugs at the Mile High Flea Market in Denver for 50¢ each. Score!

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Moscow Mule

Refreshing light and sparkling. The mule is a perfect drink for a hot summer day.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Smirnoff vodka
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 4 ounces Cock ‘n’ Bull ginger beer not to be confused with ginger ale

Instructions

• Fill copper mug with ice.
• Add vodka, lime juice, and Cock'n'Bull ginger beer.
• Garnish with lime.

T.G.I.F.

The mellow flavor of cucumber and a kiss of mint make this martini the perfect way to wind down after the long week.

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Cucumber Martini

The mellow flavor of cucumber and a kiss of mint make this martini the perfect summer cocktail.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Vodka Grey Goose
• 1/4 oz. Lemon Juice
• 2 slices Cucumber
• 3 pieces Mint
• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

Instructions

• Muddle mint and a cucumber slice in a cocktail shaker.
• Add other ingredients and ice.
• Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a slice of cucumber and a fresh mint sprig.