In 1949, a Belgian barman at Hotel Metropole in Brussels created a cocktail for the US ambassador to Luxembourg that shook up the bar scene for coffee lovers around the world. That cocktail? The Black Russian — a coffee liqueur and vodka mix that, surprisingly, works.

not actually russian

The name comes from the use of vodka and the colour. Using vodka as the base means the flavours come from the liqueur, rather than the spirit. Something to remember when you’re choosing your coffee liqueur.

black russian

2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria)
Ice

There are two ways to make this cocktail:

Prep #1: In an old-fashioned glass, pour vodka over ice. Add coffee liqueur.

Prep #2: Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Strain over ice into a short-ball glass.

give it a tweak

If you like adding sugar to your morning coffee, use more liqueur. If you like it black and bitter, stick to the recipe. Take your coffee with milk? You’d probably prefer the White Russian.

white is the new black

The simple addition of cream or milk is all it takes to transform a Black Russian into a White Russian. Be warned though, it makes the cocktail slightly more diluted.

white russian

2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria)
1 oz cream (or milk)
Ice

There are two ways to make this cocktail:

Prep #1: In an old-fashioned glass, pour vodka over ice. Add coffee liqueur.

Prep #2: In an old-fashioned glass, float cream on top of the spirits and ice. Serve with a straw.

mix it up

Both the Black and White Russian cocktails have variations that make for some interesting tasting experiments.

twists on the black russian

• Black Magic: made with a dash of lemon juice and a lemon twist garnish
• Brown Russian: topped with ginger ale
• California Russian: made with a shot of triple sec and an orange slice garnish
• Irish Russian/Smooth Black Russian: topped with Guinness
• Peri’s Black Russian: made with vanilla vodka and topped with cola
• Tall Black Russian/Colorado Bulldog: topped with cola
• Vader: made with Jägermeister

tweaks to the white russian

• Anna Kournikova: made with skimmed milk
• Blind Russian: made with Baileys Irish Cream instead of cream
• Dirty Russian: made with chocolate milk instead of cream
• White Belgian: made with chocolate liqueur instead of coffee liqueur
• White Canadian: made with goat’s milk
• White Cuban: made with rum instead of vodka
• White Mexican: made with horchata