White Russian
I know the White Russian isn’t really considered a holiday drink, but it’s white-ish and it’s made with 2 different kinds of alcohol so I thought it would fit with this festive season. The fact that it’s super easy to mix up, makes it a no brainer for those last few holiday parties.
The White Russian holds a special place in my heart as it was the first cocktail I was drinking once I discovered what cocktails were. One of the reasons it was a favorite was because the coffee liqueur was sweet enough to mask the strength of the vodka. The cream made it nice and smooth going down and it couldn’t have been easier to make: one ounce of Kahlua, one ounce of vodka and one ounce of cream. But here’s the thing about the White Russian, it wasn’t actually created until 1965.
I know, that goes against my policy of only drinks pre-1960. But turns out there were two other “Russian” drinks that set the stage for the white concoction we all know and love. Back in the 30’s vodka was primarily from Russia, so it should come as no surprise that one of the first Vodka cocktails was called The Russian. It consisted of vodka, crème de cacao, and gin. Then in 1949 the Black Russian appeared on the scene and was made up of vodka and a coffee liqueur (typically Kahlúa). While it’s true the White Russian appeared on the bar scene in the mid 60’s, it’s easy to see how it came about: some brilliant mixologist simply took the two senior Russian drinks and mixed them.
So this holiday season (and throughout the rest of the year) follow suit and mix up a Russian cocktail for yourself or others. A drink this simple to stir up is an absolute must for each and every party.
White Russian
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. Kahlúa
- 1 oz. cream
Directions:
- Pour all ingredients into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir and serve.
