White Russian
The White Russian cocktail is a derivative of the original Black Russian cocktail, whose creation is attributed to Gustav Tops. As a barman at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels, he dedicated his new concoction to the then U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta, in 1949. While there is no connection to Russia for either Mr. Tops or Ms. Mesta, it is believed the reference is only in place due to the use of vodka. At the time of the Black Russian’s invention, the Cold War was just getting started, so it may also have been an ironic nod to the new superpower.
The White Russian, or as some folks call it, a Caucasian, has become a modern classic. Its recent popularity was helped in no small way by its numerous references in the cult comedy movie The Big Lebowski. Some people like to shake this cocktail to fully integrate the ingredients, but to make a perfect White Russian that is appealing to the eye, it is recommended that the cream be lightly whipped and gently placed on top of the vodka and coffee liqueur combination.
White Russian Ingredients:
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60 ml Vodka
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30 ml Kahlua
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30 ml Single Cream
Instructions:
Shake the first two ingredients together and pour over a glass of ice. Then, lightly whip the cream with a whisk or a fork and gently layer it over the top to achieve a visually stunning Caucasian.
You can also give your cream container a vigorous shake before opening it to thicken the cream just enough to create a visually appealing float.
There are many variations of the White and Black Russian cocktails. Some will top them with cola, others will replace the single cream with Irish cream, and in some instances, the base spirit will be substituted. For example, a White Cuban uses rum instead of vodka, and the White Mexican uses tequila instead of vodka.
Whichever way you choose to make the White Russian, you will inevitably come to the same conclusion: a fantastic cocktail that is the perfect digestif. Whether it is served after the dessert course at your dinner party or just sipped by an open fire on your own, the White Russian is a pleasingly subtle cocktail that is just as easy to make as it is to drink!
