Name: White Russian
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ounces vodka; 1 ounce Kahlua; Splash of cream

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This white Russian cocktail, popularized by the is a tantalizing blend of vodka, Kahlua, and a splash of cream. Cheers!

Cream being poured from a pitcher into a highball glass for a white Russian cocktail.

Adapted from Orr Shtuhl | Elizabeth Graeber | An Illustrated Guide to Cocktails | Gotham, 2013

Whatever days in history surrounded the creation of the White Russian of the 1960s, they are obscured by March 6, 1998, the day directors Joel and Ethan Coen unleashed a disheveled, disarranged, and ruggedly disembodied Jeff Bridges upon the world in their film The Big Lebowski. Bridges’ character, known cosmically as “The Dude,” is snapped from his daily routine of day-drinking and night-bowling when he is thrust into a plot of kidnapping and mystery as the result of mistaken identity. The road is not without its tolls, but waiting at the end is liquid sustenance of vodka, Kahlua, and cream, and so The Dude abides.–Orr Shtuhl and Elizabeth Graeber

White Russian

Quick Glance
(3)
5 M
5 M
Serves 1

5/5 - 3 reviews

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Ingredients

2 ounces vodka
1 ounce Kahlua
Splash of cream

Directions

Combine over ice and abide. Originally published March 8, 2012.

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Recipe Testers' Reviews

Annie Leslie

I think this is extremely simple, and it’s a great drink. I am not a tomato juice fan, so I like to order a White Russian at brunch. Its like an adult chocolate milk! I didn’t realize it was so simple. I can make these at home!

Natalie Reebel

What a nice drink. It’s creamy and cool, but warming as well. The splash of cream keeps the drink from becoming too heavy or rich. The coffee flavor has some depth but is not sticky-sweet. The vodka keeps it easy to drink. This drink would be great year-round. I would try this with vanilla vodka next time.

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Comments

Allison Parker says:

Mar 06, 2012 at 12:23 pm

Oh, lord. It’s 12:20 here… not too early for one of these, is it? 😉

Seriously, this was my drink of choice all through college, and I frequently ended up drinking them with someone who, while he looked nothing at all like The Dude, sure behaved like him often enough. Heart in the right place, but wow.

This post–the drink, the movie reference–brought me way back down memory lane. In a fun way. And I LOVE the illustrations in this whimsical book.

1. Renee Schettler, LC Editor-in-Chief says:
  
  Mar 06, 2012 at 2:14 pm
  
  Allison, I think you already know what The Dude would say in response to your query if it’s too early for a White Russian. And yes, yes, yes, we, too, fancy the charming illustrations, the work of the lovely Elizabeth Graeber…
  
Barbara | Creative Culinary says:

Mar 06, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Always a favorite and even more so now that I’ve started making my own coffee liqueur. And I’m not even a Big Lebowski fan…go figure!

1. Lindsay Myers says:
  
  Mar 07, 2012 at 2:57 am
  
  Your own coffee liqueur! Sounds a little fancy for The Dude, but I, on the other hand, am very intrigued. That sounds terrific, Barbara.
  
2. Renee Schettler, LC Editor-in-Chief says:
  
  Mar 06, 2012 at 12:07 pm
  
  Well, there are few absolutes in life, Barbara, so not to worry about the seeming discord between loving White Russians and not loving The Big Lebowski…though have you ever tried watching the movie after sipping a few White Russians? It may change things for you…
  
Rita Spratlen says:

Mar 06, 2012 at 11:51 am

The white russian is my favorite drink and so simple too! Thanks for sharing!

1. Renee Schettler, LC Editor-in-Chief says:
  
  Mar 06, 2012 at 12:07 pm
  
  Our pleasure, Rita. We think The Dude would approve…