Cocktails
Black Russian
Black Russian is a compact coffee-led cocktail with a darker, spirit-forward profile. Served chilled or over ice, it suits slower evening drinking when a simple, bold serve is the right fit.
Nutrition information is not yet available for this drink.
On this page
How hard is it to make?
Why: 2 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon
Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.
Ingredients
- 2.0 ozVodkaBase Spirit
- 4.0 ozCoffee liqueurLiqueur Modifier
How to Make It
- Pour into ice-filled old-fashioned glass and stir.Stirred
How to Serve
- Glass
- Old-Fashioned Glass
- Temperature
- Chilled
- Ice
- Ice
- Method
- Stirred
Taste
What does Black Russian taste like?
Black Russian leans into coffee depth, gentle bitterness and a richer after-dinner feel. The best versions keep sweetness in check so the coffee note stays clear.
Primary flavours
Supporting notes
Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.
Estimated sensory profile
Practical notes
When to choose it
How to decide if Black Russian is right for you
Black Russian is best for drinkers who want coffee depth, a richer finish and a drink that feels closer to after-dinner than aperitif. Choose it when roast and texture matter more than sharp refreshment. The listed serve is about 29.2% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.
Skip if
Skip Black Russian if...
Skip Black Russian if you want something light, crisp or food-friendly before dinner. Coffee-led cocktails usually feel richer and work better when you want depth, bitterness and a fuller finish.
About this drink
The Black Russian is usually traced to Brussels in 1949, where bartender Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole is said to have made it for Perle Mesta. Its name points to vodka, not a Russian place of origin.
When to serve
- DessertSuggested from its coffee and vanilla notes, pairing with desserts pairing.
- After DinnerSuggested from its coffee notes.
Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.
Food pairings
Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.
Diet & lifestyle
Compatible, based on the listed ingredients
May be limited
Not compatible
Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.
Alternatives to try
Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.
Reviewed ingredient substitutions
Vodka2.0 oz
Coffee Liqueur4.0 oz
Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.
Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.
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Last updated
Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.
Frequently asked questions
- How strong is a Black Russian?
- The published Black Russian recipe contains alcohol, but a calculated ABV is not currently available. Check the listed spirit and liqueur measures above rather than treating missing ABV data as an alcohol-free claim.
- Can I make a Black Russian at home?
- Yes. The Black Russian uses 2 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.