Home
Recipes
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails
White Russian Recipe

White Russian Recipe

By What’s Baking

A velvety blend of premium vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh cream creates a decadent, dessert-like cocktail with rich coffee notes and a silky-smooth finish.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
3 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A close-up shot of a White Russian in a crystal rocks glass, showcasing three distinct layers - deep brown coffee liqueur at the bottom, clear vodka in the middle, and a pristine layer of cream floating on top. Soft, warm bar lighting casts gentle shadows through the glass, highlighting the swirling patterns where the cream slowly integrates with the spirits. Large, crystal-clear ice cubes glisten beneath the surface, while tiny coffee beans rest alongside the glass on a polished wooden bar top, adding depth and context to this classic cocktail.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">50ml vodka</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">25ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml fresh cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Coffee beans for garnish (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Old-fashioned/rocks glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring device</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li></ul>
BAKE SMARTER

Kitchen Converter

Quickly switch between common baking units without leaving the recipe.

Convert
⇄
Result—

Volume uses US cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. Converting weight to volume depends on the ingredient.

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Add several large ice cubes to a rocks glass, filling it about two-thirds full. Using quality ice is important as it chills the drink properly without excessive dilution.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Pour 50ml of vodka directly over the ice. Use a good quality vodka as its clean profile allows the coffee notes to shine while providing the alcoholic foundation.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add 25ml of coffee liqueur to the glass. Pour it slowly over the back of a bar spoon to create a layered effect if desired, though the ingredients will eventually be mixed.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Gently pour 30ml of fresh cream over the back of a clean bar spoon held just above the liquid surface. This technique allows the cream to float on top of the cocktail rather than immediately mixing in, creating the characteristic layered appearance.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>For presentation, leave the drink layered and let the guest stir it themselves, or gently stir the cocktail with your bar spoon to create a homogenous, creamy mixture with a beautiful tan color.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Garnish with a few coffee beans on top of the cream layer if desired, adding a subtle coffee aroma that enhances the drinking experience. Serve immediately while cold and fresh.</li></ol>

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can I substitute the cream in this cocktail for a dairy-free alternative?

Absolutely! Coconut cream works brilliantly as a dairy-free alternative, offering a complementary tropical note. Almond, oat, or soy creamers also work well. For texture closest to dairy cream, look for barista-style plant-based alternatives, which have been formulated to mix well with beverages.

What's the difference between a White Russian and a Black Russian?

The primary difference is the cream component. A Black Russian contains only vodka and coffee liqueur, making it stronger and more spirit-forward, while a White Russian adds cream for a richer, dessert-like quality. Think of the White Russian as the creamy, indulgent evolution of its darker counterpart.

Why does my cream always sink instead of creating distinct layers?

Cream sinking typically happens when it's poured too quickly or directly into the drink. For perfect layers, ensure your cream is cold and fresh, pour it slowly over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface, and avoid disturbing the glass afterward. Higher fat content cream (double cream) will float better.

Want to try something else in ...

More recipes you might like

Keep exploring with more recipes from What's Baking.

View all
A highball glass with a crystalline salt rim captures the Salty Dog in perfect midday light. The cocktail displays a gradient of pale pink to coral hues, with large, clear ice cubes refracting sunlight through the drink. Condensation beads dramatically down the glass, suggesting refreshing coldness. A plump pink grapefruit wedge perches on the rim, while tiny essential oil bubbles from freshly-squeezed juice dance just below the surface. The drink is photographed from a 45-degree angle against a weathered wooden bar top, with soft natural lighting highlighting the textural contrast between the coarse salt rim and the smooth, glistening liquid.
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails

Salty Dog Recipe

A refreshing, tangy blend of crisp grapefruit juice and smooth vodka or gin, balanced with a savory salt rim that elevates each bright, citrusy sip.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
3 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
A frosted rocks glass filled with crushed ice showcases the striking magenta hue of the Prickly Pear Vodka Smash. Natural window light highlights the translucent layers where the vibrant prickly pear purée blends into the clear vodka. Close-up details reveal fresh mint leaves gently bruised and tucked among the ice, while a lime wheel perches on the rim, its bright green contrasting beautifully with the pink-purple cocktail. Tiny water droplets bead on the exterior of the glass, suggesting refreshing coolness. The cocktail sits on a rustic wooden bar top with a small bowl of prickly pear chunks nearby, emphasizing its southwestern origins and fresh ingredients.
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails

Prickly Pear Vodka Smash Recipe

A vibrant Southwest-inspired cocktail featuring sweet prickly pear, crisp vodka, and fresh lime juice, perfectly balanced with hints of mint and agave nectar.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
Captured in dramatic low light, this striking martini glows with a vibrant raspberry-pink hue in a crystal-clear coupe glass with a slender stem. A fine rim of pink sugar catches the light while a single fresh raspberry and a delicate rose petal float atop the perfectly smooth surface. Condensation forms on the glass's exterior, highlighting the impeccable chill of the cocktail. The lighting creates subtle shadows that emphasize the drink's silky texture, while in the soft-focus background, a small crystal pitcher holds additional cocktail, suggesting an evening of sophisticated indulgence.
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails

Raspberry Rose Martini Recipe

A silky fusion of botanical gin, fresh raspberry puree and delicate rose water creates an elegantly pink, floral-forward martini with the perfect balance of sweet and tart notes.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
A tall collins glass stands elegantly against a white marble bar top, capturing afternoon sunlight that illuminates the crystal-clear layers of the cocktail. Thinly sliced cucumber ribbons spiral inside the glass, intertwining with fresh basil leaves suspended throughout the drink. Perfectly clear ice cubes reflect light through the effervescent liquid, creating tiny champagne-like bubbles that rise continuously to the surface. The cocktail transitions from pale green at the bottom to a clearer tone at the top where soda water has been added. A garnish of cucumber wheel and basil sprig rests on the rim, casting gentle shadows across the condensation-beaded exterior of the glass.
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails

Cucumber Basil Vodka Collins Recipe

Crisp cucumber, aromatic basil, and clean vodka harmonize in this refreshing collins that balances herbaceous notes with bright citrus and effervescent soda.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
An overhead shot of a tall, slender highball glass filled with a luminous green cocktail, ice cubes glistening under soft bar lighting. Condensation beads elegantly down the crystal-clear glass, capturing the vibrant emerald liquid inside. A thin slice of lime and lemon perch on the rim, their bright colors contrasting with the electric green of the Tokyo Ice Tea. Small bubbles rise through the cocktail from the soda splash, creating dynamic movement against the translucent layers of spirits. The glass sits on a polished dark wood bar, with subtle reflections of colored bottles in the background creating depth and atmosphere.
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails

Tokyo Ice Tea Recipe

A vibrant, high-octane twist on the Long Island Ice Tea with a striking emerald hue from Midori that delivers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and citrus notes.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
A gleaming copper Moscow Mule mug filled with crushed ice, capturing condensation droplets running down its sides under warm bar lighting. The crystal-clear vodka nestles beneath a layer of effervescent ginger beer with tiny bubbles rising continuously. A wedge of vibrant lime perches on the rim while a sprig of fresh mint adds a pop of green against the copper backdrop. The mug sits on a rustic wooden bar top with scattered lime wedges and crystals of ice nearby, suggesting freshness and careful preparation.
Cocktails
Vodka-Based Cocktails

Moscow Mule Recipe

A refreshing burst of spicy ginger beer mingling with crisp vodka and tangy lime, creating a perfectly balanced, copper mug-chilled sensation that dances on your palate.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
3 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe