White Russian (cocktail) facts for kids
| Cocktail | |
|---|---|
A mixed white Russian
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| Type | Cocktail |
| Primary alcohol by volume |
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| Served | On the rocks; poured over ice |
| Standard drinkware |
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| Commonly used ingredients | |
| Preparation | Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Float fresh cream on top and stir slowly. |
A White Russian is a type of mixed drink. It is made with three main ingredients: a spirit called vodka, a sweet coffee liqueur, and cream. This drink is usually served over ice in a special glass called an old fashioned glass. The name "White Russian" comes from the main ingredient, vodka, which is often linked to Russia.
Contents
History of the White Russian Drink
The White Russian drink has an interesting past. It is a variation of an older drink called the Black Russian. The Black Russian first appeared in 1949. It was made with vodka and coffee liqueur, but it did not include cream.
Adding cream to the Black Russian created the White Russian. Even though these drinks have "Russian" in their names, they do not actually come from Russia. They are named this way because vodka is a key ingredient. It is not clear which of these two drinks was invented first.
When the White Russian First Appeared
The Oxford English Dictionary is a very famous dictionary. It notes that the term "White Russian" for this drink was first mentioned in a newspaper. This happened in California's Oakland Tribune on November 21, 1965.
The newspaper included a small note about the recipe. It said: "White Russian. 1 oz. each Southern, vodka, cream." Here, "Southern" referred to a coffee liqueur brand called Coffee Southern. This brand was not around for very long.
The White Russian in Pop Culture
The White Russian became much more popular after a movie came out in 1998. This movie was called The Big Lebowski. In the film, the main character, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, drinks White Russians all the time.
He often calls the drink a "Caucasian" in the movie. Because of this film, many people became interested in trying the White Russian drink.
How to Make a White Russian
Just like with many mixed drinks, there are different ways to make a White Russian. The exact recipe can change depending on the person making it or the place where it is served. However, the basic steps are usually the same.
Most recipes use different amounts of vodka or coffee liqueur. Sometimes, people will shake the cream before adding it. This makes the cream thicker. It then floats nicely on top of the drink.
Some people even make a warm version of the White Russian. They prepare it on the stove with hot coffee. This can be a nice treat on a cold day. Another fun way to make it is by using vanilla ice cream instead of cream. This creates a frozen White Russian.
Different Kinds of White Russian Drinks
There are many different versions of the White Russian. Some are known locally, while others are popular everywhere. Here are a few examples:
- Blind Russian: This version uses Irish cream instead of regular cream. It is also sometimes called a "muddy water."
- Mudslide: This drink is like a Blind Russian, but it has both Irish cream and regular cream.
- Anna Kournikova: This one is named after a famous tennis player. It is made with skimmed milk instead of cream. This makes it a "skinny" White Russian.
- Russian Cherry Orchard: This version adds a liqueur called Grand Marnier. It is named after a play by Anton Chekhov.
- White Cuban: This drink uses rum instead of vodka.
- Dirty Russian: Instead of cream, this version uses chocolate milk.
A drink called a Colorado Bulldog is very similar to a White Russian. It uses all the same ingredients, but it also adds a splash of cola.
Images for kids
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A mixed White Russian
See also
In Spanish: White Russian (cóctel) para niños
