The recipe

How to make it

1Stir the vodka and coffee liqueur with ice.
2Strain into a rocks glass full of ice.
3Shake the cream in its closed carton to thicken it slightly, then float it on top.

Garnish: Grated nutmeg.

The earliest printed version, from a 1965 liqueur advertisement, used equal parts vodka, coffee liqueur and cream.

The ratio

2 : 1 : 1

In parts, a White Russian is 2 vodka, 1 coffee liqueur and 1 cream. Change one part and you have a cousin; the closest are below.

Vodka · 2Coffee liqueur · 1Cream · 1

Find the White Russian on the ratio map →

Also vodka

Espresso Martini

1¾ : 1 : ¼ : 1

Vodka → Brandy

Alexander

1 : 1 : 1

Vodka → Gin

Paradise

2 : 1¼ : 1

Vodka → Tequila

Death Flip

2 : 1 : 1

The Dude (Jeff Bridges)

The Dude drinks White Russians all through the film, sometimes calling them 'Caucasians'.

Bushwacker — Rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut and milk blended with ice: a boozy chocolate-coconut milkshake.
Eggnog — Eggs, sugar, brandy, spiced rum, milk and cream blended smooth and served cold with nutmeg: the holiday classic.
Grasshopper — Mint, chocolate and cream in equal parts: a pale-green after-dinner drink that tastes like a mint chocolate.
Irish Coffee — Hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar under a float of cold, thick cream. Drink it through the cream.
Mudslide — Vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream in equal parts, shaken and poured over ice: a White Russian made richer.
Porto Flip — Tawny port and brandy shaken with egg yolk into a smooth, nutmeg-dusted nightcap.

Estimated per drink, as served

Calories

≈ 323

Sugar

≈ 14 g

Strength

≈ 21%

Std. drinks

≈ 1.7

Vodka ≈ 133Cream ≈ 103Coffee liqueur ≈ 87 How we estimate