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WhatDrink

Cocktails

White Russian

White Russian is a creamy coffee-led cocktail with a rich, dessert-friendly profile. Served cold, it works best when the drink should feel smooth, indulgent and relaxed.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic23.8% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

317 kcalCalories
23.8%ABV
10.4gSugar
13.5gCarbs
1.79Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easybuilt drink

Why: 3 ingredients, uses cream

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass.Pour
  2. Fill with light cream and serve.Fill

How to Serve

Glass
Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Cubed ice
Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

CoffeeRoasted

Supporting notes

SweetVanillaRich

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • High ABV
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

Variations

Easy ways to adjust White Russian

For a drier version, reduce the sweet element and let the coffee note lead. For a softer version, add a little more texture or sweetness, but keep the drink cold so it does not taste flat.

When to choose it

How to decide if White Russian is right for you

White 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 23.8% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip White Russian if...

Skip White 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 White Russian developed from the Black Russian by adding cream. The earliest known printed mention is usually placed in the 1960s, and the drink later became a pop-culture icon through The Big Lebowski rather than through a Russian origin.

When to serve

  • DessertSuggested from its cream and coffee notes, pairing with desserts pairing.
  • After DinnerSuggested from its coffee and cream 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

DessertsChocolateCoffee Desserts

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

Gluten-FreeVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-SugarVegan
Find vegan-compatible cocktails

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 oz

GinWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same volume; expect more juniper and herbal aroma.
What changes
Gin can replace vodka when a more botanical result is acceptable.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Coffee Liqueur1 oz

KahluaWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount and reduce other sweetener only if needed.
What changes
Kahlua can usually replace coffee liqueur, though sweetness may vary.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Light Creamto taste

Half-And-HalfWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Half-and-half can replace light cream when a slightly lighter texture is acceptable.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Heavy CreamWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use slightly less at first if the drink becomes too heavy.
What changes
Heavy cream can replace light cream when a richer, thicker texture is acceptable.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed alternative recipes

No suitable direct swap is reviewed for Coffee Liqueur or Light Cream. Try this related recipe instead:

Espresso MartiniDifferent recipe

Both suit coffee or dessert-leaning drinkers, with White Russian moving creamier and sweeter.

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

Can I make a White Russian at home?
Yes. The White Russian uses 3 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.