In this article, you will learn what a white and a black Russian cocktail is and how they are different.
Key takeaways
- A Black Russian is made with vodka and coffee liqueur, served over ice. A White Russian is made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream, served over ice.
- Both cocktails are slightly sweet with a strong coffee flavor. A white Russian has a creamy texture and flavor, whereas a black Russian is more alcohol-forward.
- A white Russian is lower in alcohol than a black Russian due to the addition of cream.
- Neither are traditional Russian drinks. The name refers to the use of vodka as a main ingredient.
Contents
What is a black Russian cocktail?
The black Russian cocktail is believed to have been created in 1949 by Gustave Tops, a Belgian bartender, at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. He made it for the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg Perle Mesta,.
It combines vodka and coffee liqueur over ice. So, it is a simple but tasty cocktail.
Despite the name, it is not a traditional Russian drink. Instead, the name is a reference to vodka, a drink that is commonly associated with Russia.
Black Russian cocktail flavors and ingredients
Black Russians are somewhat sweet and taste strong and smooth. The flavors primarily come from the coffee liqueur.
The main flavor in a black Russian is coffee with notes of vanilla, chocolate, butter and exotic spices. The coffee liqueur also adds sweetness.
Quality coffee liqueurs, like Kalua and Tia Maria are made with real coffee and rum.
The classic recipe for a black Russian is 2 parts vodka to 1 part coffee liqueur.
That said, black Russians are made differently depending on the bar or mixologist.
The amount of vodka or coffee liqueur can vary, as well as which brands of vodka and coffee liqueur are used.
What is a white Russian cocktail?
A white Russian is a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa or Tia Maria, and cream served over ice in a rocks glass.
The first reference to a white Russian, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was in an American newspaper in the 1960s.
It is believed that the white Russian emerged when bartenders started adding cream to the black Russian.
This variation makes it creamy and indulgent.
The white Russian gained in popularity after the release of the cult film The Big Lebowski in 1998.
The film was directed by the Coen Brothers and features Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges.
The Dude drinks white Russians throughout the movie and calls it his favorite drink. The cocktail became associated with The Dude’s laid-back, carefree personality.
In some scenes he refers to it as a “Caucasian” instead of a white Russian.
In the film, The Dude usually drinks white Russians made with cream, but it is sometimes made with half and half or milk when cream isn’t available.
White Russians gained in popularity when fans of the film embraced the drink.
White Russian cocktail flavors and ingredients
White Russian’s taste creamy and smooth with coffee, chocolate, butter and exotic spice notes.
The classic recipe for a White Russian is 1 part vodka, 1 part coffee liqueur and 1 part cream.
White Russians are made differently depending on the bar or mixologist.
The amount of vodka or coffee liqueur can vary, as well as which brands of vodka and coffee liqueur are used.
Some recipes use half and half or milk instead of cream, but cream is the original and classic way to make a white Russian.
Alcohol content for black Russian vs white Russian
A white Russian drink is lower in alcohol than a black Russian.
Both cocktails contain vodka and coffee liqueur, but a white Russian also contains cream which lowers the overall alcohol content.
The alcohol content of each depends on the strength or ABV of the vodka and coffee liqueur used.
Typical alcohol content:
- Black Russian made with 2 oz Belvedere vodka and 1 oz Tia Maria is 28% ABV approx.
- White Russian made with 1 oz Belvedere vodka, 1 oz Tia Maria and 1 oz cream is 17% ABV approx.
Black and white Russian cocktail variations
There are many variations of both black and white Russian cocktails.
These variations have extra ingredients, swapped ingredients, warm versions and frozen versions etc.
The names of these variations often vary, depending on location.
There is not much consensus on the internet about the correct names and recipes for some variations.
This is likely because different bars in different locations and countries create and name their own versions of drinks.
Some of the more common variations are as follows:
Tall black Russian
A black Russian served in a tall glass with a mixer, usually cola.
It’s a longer, less intense version of the original.
This drink is sometimes also called a dirty black Russian, Australian black Russian or Colorado Bulldog. Although, some sources cite a Colorado Bulldog as being a white Russian with cola.
Brown Russian
A black Russian topped up with ginger ale and served in a tall glass.
The ginger ale adds a slight spice and extra fizz.
Black Magic
A black Russian served with lemon juice and a slice of lemon.
Blind Russian
A white Russian with Irish cream instead of using cream.
It’s extra rich and sweet with a stronger liqueur taste.
This drink is also sometimes called an Irish Russian, but an Irish Russian can also refer to a black Russian topped with Guinness!
Anna Kournikova
A white Russian made with skim milk instead of cream. It’s essentially a diet version of a white Russian with fewer calories (and let’s face it-less flavor).
