Shake very hard and fine strain into a chilled coupe
Espresso Martini
Rich coffee, clean vodka, and a dense crema-like foam.
Build over ice, float the cream, then fold it through gently
White Russian
A built after-dinner classic that floats cream over a cold coffee-and-vodka base, then folds it in slowly.
Verified by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 3 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Approx. ABV
- 16% · Medium
Measured for the room
Ingredients
1 ozCoffee liqueurRecommended brandKahlúa Original Coffee Liqueur
1 ozVodkaRecommended brandAbsolut Original Vodka
1 ozHeavy creamRecommended brandOrganic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream
Amounts scale from the verified one-glass recipe. Technique and timing stay unchanged.
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
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Coffee liqueur
Vodka
Measured method
How to make White Russian
- 01
Add the coffee liqueur
Cubed ice · 1 oz coffee liqueur
Pour 1 oz coffee liqueur into a rocks glass prepared with cubed ice.
Add the coffee liqueur visual check - 02
Add the vodka
1 oz vodka
Pour 1 oz vodka over the coffee liqueur and let the base combine around the ice.
Add the vodka visual check - 03
Float the cream
1 oz heavy cream
Pour 1 oz heavy cream slowly over the back of a bar spoon to form a clean pale layer.
Float the cream visual check - 04
Fold the cream gently
Stir gently · 4 sec
Stir gently for 4 seconds to marble the cream through the cold coffee-and-vodka base.
Fold the cream gently visual check
Key move
Float the cream first, then use only two slow rotations for a marbled texture
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Rocks glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Rocks Glass
Know the pour
Medium
Equal parts vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream soften as the serving ice dilutes.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
