Rich, Indulgent & Abiding - How to make a White Russian

[@jmelleens]

One addition that I've found to be a game-changer, is dry shaking the cream before layering it on top - I find it improves the texture of the drink massively. Great video as always!

[@BehindtheBar]

Ooh good one!

[@robertocalderonabogado1427]

You are right. The cream has a better effect of texture in the mouth that way.

[@LennyGoReal]

This Christmas I`m getting my own bar equipment. Can`t wait to try all the cocktails myself. Thank you for all the videos Cara and Team :)

[@BehindtheBar]

Yay, so glad you like it!

[@nathancarmichael6668]

Great content!. I am a retail product specialist and your series is something I am always recommending to my customers and staff to up their cocktail game.

[@BehindtheBar]

Aw that’s so nice to hear Nathan, thank you for the support!

[@kaischafer8537]

“That rug really tied the room together.” ;) My favourite drink!

[@dennisthedog4015]

Did it not

[@boozeontherocks]

Great cocktail. The nutmeg is a good choice on the cream. i normally use maraschino cherries myself. So I will try it with the nutmeg.... Thank you for the idea!!

[@LenSharoFF]

We often use the italian Frangelico nut liquire to give the white russian a delicious twist! Just a littly tiny cl/10ml

[@carsongbaker]

Ive often used Bailey's instead of cream - might be a bit boozier but adds a another layer of flavor that I've always enjoyed, one of my favorite drinks! Love the history too

[@toom8rs15]

We call that a mudslide

[@mac5er]

Sounds good, the more booze the betterer

[@tannergrinzel1835]

That’s called a blind Russian if you use Irish cream

[@wrotelord9479]

Such an awesome channel! Happy to see that the subscribers have doubled since the last time I checked.

[@BehindtheBar]

Us too! Haha

[@jpboy1399]

I love your channel! I tend bar in a high volume Saloon , I appreciate your touch on classic cocktails!

[@TrufflesOnTheRocks]

would love to give a try to that liqueur! Cheers my friend! great vid again.

[@BehindtheBar]

Thanks pal! We’ll bring you a taste if we’re ever over 😊

[@ursamines7643]

Looks like we need to see “The Russian” and “The Barbra” make their debut.

[@jodyvigness3344]

One of my favorites! Love your little add on twists! Perfect!!

[@little_billy]

My mother used to drink these, and then seeing that it's the favorite drink of The Dude, pretty cool!!! Great video!!! Love the history!!! Great for a dessert!!! I like the ice ball for sipping, it lasts for a while, I use crushed ice for any quickie drink

[@stephane.foisy.186]

Great treat for the holidays. Can also play with the spirit for a different flavour. Informative video as always

[@samuelvogler3250]

I was literally just looking for a video from you on the White Russian about half an hour before you posted this. Great timing!

[@BehindtheBar]

🎯

[@S4ltyTar0]

This is a rich man's caucasian, the common man we stir all our ingredients together, it really ties the drink together.

[@zoobrizz]

Racist?

[@S4ltyTar0]

@@zoobrizz what part of that is racist?

[@sndrgrmns8910]

@@S4ltyTar0 It's geographically inaccurate and rather outdated (based on debunked theories) but I wouldn't call it racist.

[@Chris_Kwon_Do]

You're out of your element cara!!

[@rongarcia6582]

What a fun twist on the White Russian! I don't think I can find that Mac Liqueur around here, but I have a bottle of Kahuna Royale Macadamia nut liqueur sitting around... I'm gonna take this recipe out for a spin for sure. Thank you for upping my bar tending game with all your lovely videos, I really enjoy the history behind the drinks. :-)

[@BehindtheBar]

Perfect! Hope you enjoy 😊

[@disrptv]

I was looking for this on your channel. It's my favourite! Thanks

[@gregoryspina3929]

Well done.. we also turn this into a mudslide by subbing baileys for the nut liquor...dangerously drinkable. More like a milkshake than a cocktail...I like some nutmeg on my mudslide too!

[@Barprints]

Sounds like a recipe for trouble. LOVE it!

[@ChemicalMarco]

Definitely going to whip up some this coming festivities. There is a Lebowskis pub here in Edinburgh too, but I am afraid it permanently closed recently due to the pandemic.

[@BehindtheBar]

That’s a shame.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Fantastic video! Will have to try making this.

[@ryandhamilton18]

A nice variation I found when I lived in Vancouver Island was equal parts vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso or cold coffee, and cream. Usually, 1oz of each served over ice and downed through a straw. Tasty, and a nice lower alcohol way to start a night out.

[@SolCrown80]

I don't stock vodka in my home bar, so I usually make this with white rum because the mild sweetness works with it and it has more character. I guess it is a White Cuban :) I never thought of adding a nut liqueur, though, that's brilliant! Plus with floating the cream and adding the nutmeg garnish, you really elevated this cocktail.

[@Barprints]

That sounds delicious. Greg from "How to Drink" prefers it with rum too.

[@MaquiladoraIII]

Absolutely love this cocktail. Make it with coconut milk and Elmlea (yes, Elmlea) for some great non-dairy times.

[@ddelegate]

Looks fantastic 😍

[@johnalderman9899]

I love this drink. Got me in trouble more then once.

[@Rdbrd89]

I tried it using Baileys as the cream. Haven't tried nutmeg with it yet.

[@brotheradam]

Back in the early eighties my local bar started a drink called the POLOQ.. because my motorcycle plate was the same... using Rum Raisin Ice Cream, Kahlua, and Vodka.. and a slurpee straw...

[@BehindtheBar]

Haha that’s awesome!

[@flashlitestriker4028]

I've never tried the additional Macadamia/Wattleseeed Liqeur in the White Rusian (which has been my favorite drink since 2002 or 2003, nor had I tried the sprinke of ground nutmeg. I make my own sugar-free coffee liqueur (with Vodka, Stevia & Inst. Espresso), though... so having the Vodka, cream, & mock-a-luah all on hand, I just now made one AND added the sprinkle of nutmeg! What a lovely SCENT-sational surprise! Thank you for this share, Behind the Bar! Maybe another time I'll try adding the other liqeur (unless, of course, it has high carbs!)!

[@DanielHebell]

In my favorite Club over here in Germany it is served with milk rather than creme. I love it!

[@robedmund9948]

Half-n-Half works well, too.

[@JabbaTheSlut220175]

That wattleseed liqueur really tied the room together.

[@BehindtheBar]

Hahaha

[@heryro]

@@BehindtheBar could that licour be replaced with Frangelico or Amaretto Disaronno? imposible to getr that liqueur here

[@BehindtheBar]

@@heryro definitely, quite a few people have used Frangelico and said it worked well 😊

[@heryro]

@@BehindtheBar thanks for the answer. I¨ll definitively try it

[@daysgoby4332]

There's a variant that's popular here. We add a splash of Coke on top and call it a "Colorado Bulldog." Most of the dive bars don't stock cream (or even half and half) and the Coke tends to curdle the milk a little, but it's still palatable.

[@deyoviC]

Instant like. My favorite night out drink.

[@musicmotorskate7540]

These are delicious, I always made mine with half and half instead of milk or cream.

[@jamesonjabiru]

We have these on our yearly Lebowski night and enjoy them. They tie the room together.

[@BehindtheBar]

😂

[@SuperHooverdam]

I’ve tried several different types of coffee liqueur just to see what I can get away with. I really enjoy kettle one, Kailua with half and half. Will try yours.

[@romanpaladino]

This one and the Brandy Alexander are my two favorite "dessert" drinks. The macadamia liqueur is an interesting choice. Must try it.

[@MadDoggMo]

I like the idea of a nutty liqueur to add a different flavor profile. I would definitely use Mr. Black for the coffee liqueur and a squeeze bottle for the cream tho.

[@Baedda666]

So now you know. I love it so much at the end of each video 😊

[@davidsimons5944]

I used to buy Sheridan's this time of year until it disappeared from the shops for some reason. I had started ordering online but with the postage it's now a bit steep for me, so this hear I decided to try simply pouring cream (double is apparently recommended ) into Tia Maria possibly over a spoon back. I admit I'd forgotten about Kahlua. Too late now, I've got the TM!

[@dylanemeraldgrey]

My attempt at a spin on it today will be to substitute (or possibly just add) eggnog with a bit of amaretto. Might not work, but I'm thinking it will be all about getting the quantities right. - Cheers

[@Baby4Life]

I can see the effort put into the videos, enjoy your tasting note part. Consider me a new subscriber, great work!

[@BehindtheBar]

Thank you!

[@BadlyBentPub]

That drink really ties the room together....

[@rustyshackleford8149]

Every winter-time (November, December where I live) I make the quick cheap easy version... Ice... 1 part Kahlua... 1 part milk. Usually in a giant glass. ;)

[@kirker23]

Damnit.....now I have to go to Glasgow! Haha Thanks as always Sweets! Never thought of trying this until your vid. Cant wait!

[@carogtr]

Love this! Can you make a video of the variations? Alexander the great etc.

[@BehindtheBar]

That would be fun!

[@jon4739]

Excellent content as usual. If you guys get a chance could you make a " Russian Quaalude" cocktail? Thanks!

[@Barprints]

WOW...Now there's a flashback!

[@bronstet]

Ah, dessert cocktails. So underrated. Nothing beats a good Grasshopper or Brandy Alexander. I'd be curious to do the White Russian subbing out the vodka for something classier like Brandy or Tequila.

[@BehindtheBar]

Ooh tequila and white creme de cacao could be fun!

[@davidphilion1432]

You are a pro i really enjoy your channel

[@BehindtheBar]

Thanks David!

[@ChrisKramer_]

i was thing about visiting iceland some day. i will definitely visit that bar wjen i go there

[@ericpmoss]

When I can get it, I use Santa Teresa Araku instead of Kahlua. IMO it tastes cleaner without changing the overall flavor.

[@svenlundqvist2370]

This is so delicious, although Sweden doesn't have the nutty liqueur you used. Your proportions saves the drink. 😋 Many use more vodka and since vodka is quite flavourless it really ruins the drink if there is too much of it. I tried also this drink with bourbon instead - so yum. White American? It's like an inverted Irish Coffee - cold whiskey with coffee instead of hot coffee with whiskey. It's like you said, you can't go wrong with this combination, any way you do. And speaking of products not available here - on Monday Mr Black will be released here. Counting down. 😃 Excellent episode as always.

[@BehindtheBar]

Oooh exciting!

[@PolarIceCreamery]

It’s one of my favourite drinks 🥃👍

[@tomtalfazert7977]

"Just because I want to..." 😂, best reason to add the macadamia liqueur. On a separate note, what other drinks would you recommend using the macadamia liqueur? As much as I enjoy experimenting and trying new things, I'm also trying to keep the liquor cabinet from overflowing.

[@BehindtheBar]

Because of that lovely chocolatey nuttiness it works really well with rum and whisky- some sort of Manhattan twist or Right Hand twist is delicious! Or try using it like the falernum in a Royal Bermuda Yacht club 😋

[@mickesmanymovies]

Went to a costume party once, dressed as The Dude. I brought a secondhand rug as party gift for the host, and I was kitted out in pajama pants, a tattered robe and flip flops. I skipped shaving for a week before the party, and besides the tangled wig I wore, I also let my beard get all messy and unkempt. I brough a bottle of Kaluha, a bottle of vodka, and a bottle of full fat milk, and then spent the entire evening slouching in the sofa, doling out quasi intellectual advice and downing countless White Russians. It was hands down the most comfortable I have ever been at a party!

[@BehindtheBar]

😂

[@Hellgrinde]

Haha yeah the dude definitely got me to try this one for the first time

[@Barprints]

The Dude reintroduced me to it. Learned it years ago, saw the movie again recently and that was that.

[@markgreene2865]

It is always fun watching you surprise yourself! :-)

[@BehindtheBar]

Haha happens a lot tbh.

[@stonetop]

You need the cream... it really ties the drink together.

[@jeffharper6259]

Cara when you first tasted this delightful concoction you had made, you looked a tiny bit surprised ha ha. You know you make great drinks right?

[@BehindtheBar]

Haha it’s honestly not my style but I enjoyed it!

[@taquitopicante5863]

..."It's delicious and I want to." Hmmm..... now that I think about it, that's the whole reason I drink! ;-)

[@Ladco77]

That's a life's philosophy right there.

[@TWG-zw3en]

Now given the season....Eggnog in place of the cream? 🤔

[@BehindtheBar]

We don’t get it over here but let me know if you try it!

[@lukebanks9007]

I dont really have access to macadanian liquor Would you reccomend a replacement Frangelico??

[@BehindtheBar]

Frangelico could definitely work 😊

[@GeorgeOfAllTrades]

I don't actually have any vodka lying around, but I recently tried the Dominicana, which is basically a White Russian with rum instead, and it's a wonderful desert :)

[@BehindtheBar]

Yum!

[@ryanhobbs3362]

Pulls out my bar stool and takes a seat to listen. :)

[@KenCostlow]

Try it with Half-and-Half.

[@ginafriend1690]

You caught me! In my robe, chilling and being like the dude, at the moment! 😉

[@BehindtheBar]

Yass

[@sween187]

That creme de cocca, makes it taste like a chocolate milkshake

[@WD-mv1rm]

Well done !

[@robertgardner1498]

At the risk of grossing folks out... what are the possibilities of using any of the milk subs (almond primarily) for cream. I know you can't get the richness but thinking the flavors may still work.

[@BehindtheBar]

I haven’t honestly experimented but I don’t see why almond wouldn’t work- as you say, would be less viscous but should still taste good. You may just have to adjust the sweetness level too depending on the brand.

[@joshuasterling2144]

I drink a modified version of the Black Russian that is like the White Russian. Instead of cream I use Irish Cream so that the drink is all liquor instead of a milk based product.

[@bushwood1676]

That macadamia liqueur sounds delightful

[@BehindtheBar]

It is!

[@The-Rose-and-the-Cross]

The initial consideration makes me wonder what was Admiral Kolchak's favourite drink.

[@EricHonaker]

I like to split the difference with half and half. Doesn't coat the tongue so much but still has a decently silky feel. Do you think Frangelico would work for the nutty component?

[@BehindtheBar]

I don’t see why not!

[@H4x0r1]

Well the nutmeg and Nut Liqueur are not a "White Russian" ingredients but nice spin on the cocktail.

[@larcael5421]

Thx for the video Do you have advice for classic cocktail to know when starting a bartender job in an english inn ?

[@BehindtheBar]

I wouldn’t honestly think you’d make many cocktails in an English inn? Maybe things line a Cosmo and a French Martini but probably best just to ask the manager what they sell a lot of 😊

[@larcael5421]

@@BehindtheBar Thx for the info ! First time in England and I thought they would a large choice of coktail like we can have in french restaurant but it seems to be more about wine

[@paulfaber5143]

I tried to add a bit of “fancy mixologist” flair to our White Russians last weekend. My wife likes hers shaken so I tried a bit of mole bitters, thinking that the chocolate and spice note would liven up the drink. It did NOT go well. 😂. Sometimes it’s best to stick to the basics! Though the macadamia nut liqueur seems like a much better idea.

[@BehindtheBar]

That’s so interesting, you’d totally think that would work! Oh well, on to the next version 😜

[@robertsullivan4773]

I try to do it like the Dude, equal parts of everything thrown over a chunk of ice, I use Half & Half iI always have that around for my coffee.

[@danielborche17]

Why don't you try to use cachaça on your drinks? It's a Brazilian distilled made out of sugar cane , and it's a very popular spirit here in brazil. You should try caipirinha as well

[@BehindtheBar]

We make plenty at Bomba, I’ll have to cover it soon!

[@rajuparakkal]

Hi Cara, I have a bit of a sugar issue, so what liqueur would you recommend as a sub for Kahlua since it's on the sweeter side? Thanks, and I really like your channel.

[@BehindtheBar]

I like Mr Black if you can get it, much less sugar added than most conventional coffee liqueurs 😊

[@jabumbo]

I did a homemade coffee liqueur with some cold brew espresso and a turbinado sugar simple syrup. It's delicious and a lot less sugar!

[@MotoDeSoto]

Ya, it took about 15 seconds for the caffeine to kick in, didn’t it! Nicely done.

[@stevenbullock9276]

Replace the vodka with brandy, use 1/2+1/2 and lose the ice. Good sipping drink for cold nights.

[@MightyGreedo]

I'm not a fan of coffee, so the Kahlua always ruins this kind of drink for me. But I'd like to find a recipe that uses cream like that, but one that doesn't pair with coffee. Good video, tho. Macadamia Liquor made me chuckle a bit.

[@nervouspotato]

White Russian, Moss from IT Crowd's favorite drink! :)

[@damonwebb813]

I enjoy a white Russian occasionally I'm wondering as we head into the xmas season, if substituting eggnog,, if less than 1oz cream?

[@BehindtheBar]

A few people have suggested this! We don’t get eggnog in the same way over here so can’t really experiment but you should 😊

[@PaulPlaceway]

@@BehindtheBar I'm happy to report that this weirdly works: the coffee and egg flavors play well together. (I used a good quality eggnog mix made primarily of milk and eggs.) The nutmeg garnish definitely helps. For this, try substituting about half the vodka for a sweet bourbon (like Jim Beam). Shaking it seems to help a bit too. Definitely a cool weather drink though; Cara you should make your own eggnog and try this in about 6 months.

[@BehindtheBar]

@@PaulPlaceway I will!

[@Blaze_1961]

Am I missing something here? Are you not suppose serve separated then stir before drinking? I always mix before drinking.

[@BehindtheBar]

I like to drink through the creamy layer, same way as you would an Irish coffee so you get the two different flavours mixing in your mouth but there’s certainly not a ‘right’ way to drink it- mix it up first if you prefer!

[@paulbegansky5650]

Late night fun drink

[@johnnyk5]

Instead of the Mac, how would Frangelico work?

[@BehindtheBar]

Well, I reckon!

[@bandabanderos]

Pretty hard to sip this one slowly, not gonna lie

[@AGTJAZZ]

Dudeist Priest Here, Great video

[@Daves_PianoAndPipes]

That looks soooooo yummy ^^

[@perrylocke6037]

Could you use Bailey's instead of cream?

[@perrylocke6037]

Or Rum Chata

[@BehindtheBar]

I haven’t honestly tried it but a few people in the comments have said they do! I put myself off Baileys when I poured way too much of it on my ice cream as a kid and didn’t know why it burned hahaha

[@Webhead123]

As someone who loves the idea of the White Russian but isn't a fan of vodka, I've found that replacing the vodka with your favorite variety of rum makes for a still-punchy-but-more-flavorful concoction. Call it a White Cuban, if you like. Probably my favorite mixed drink. Cheers!

[@BehindtheBar]

Perfect!

[@djcooley7440]

1 part Vodka, 1 part Kahlua, 2 parts Trader Joe’s Coconut Almond creamer - most excellent flavor.

[@priitmolder6475]

One simple step to make this a bit better is to make your own coffee liquor. 1 part by volume coffee beans to 2 parts by volume vodka. Medium and dark roasts only. Light roast wont work well. 3 days for infused vodka that you can drink and 4-5 days for a liquor for mixing (at room temp, away from sun, shake 1-2 times a day). If you go longer than 5 days, you start to extract too much of the bitter and sour compounds. Mix in simple syrup to taste (or leave it neat as is). You get the best of all the worlds: fresh coffee liquor without the "stale" taste of a god knows how long on the shelf bottle. Cold brew smoothness. And you can choose your favorite roast/blend/taste to enjoy. If you start this weekend, you will have a kick ass liquor for Christmas...

[@BehindtheBar]

That’s dedication!

[@mightytom1]

Burning question... If I was using Mr. Black instead of Kahlua, how much simple syrup should I add to this recipe to approximate the same level of sweetness?

[@BehindtheBar]

It sort of depends how sweet you want it to be - dairy can be a bit of a sweetness soaker but you could also just enjoy a less sweet version! I’d start with 5-10ml and see how you go 😊

[@dchiffy]

Great vid

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Im the Dude's cousin (see thumbnail pic) and I approve. Thanks for a great video!

[@Brad-ic4bp]

I never thought to add grated nutmeg, but after viewing this , I gave it a shot - It adds a nice spicy hint. I've tried grated chocolate, but it just floated on top without dissolving (obviously) and not adding anything to the taste. BTW, the best White Russian I've ever ordered was at the Red Square restaurant in the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. My one recommendation, if you're like me and drink these very rarely (due to high calories and fat) - avoid the Kahlua and buy an all natural, froofy, hand-crafted, local coffee liquor. There SO many better option on the shelf than Kahlua.

[@BehindtheBar]

For sure, my actual go to is Mr Black but it’s nice to stay traditional every now and again haha!

[@shawnmiranda]

So, do you not stir it before you drink? I think I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time.

[@wizkid3295]

Yeah i had the same question. I always mix it well before sip it.

[@BehindtheBar]

I like drinking it through the cream but each to their own!