All Recipes
Beverages
Breakfast
Appetizers
Dinner
Sides
Dessert
Videos
The Black Russian is a two-part cocktail containing vodka and coffee liqueur and has a sweet coffee flavor that’s delicious any time of year and is one of the easiest cocktails to make.
Bartender Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels first mixed this famous, though not as famous as its cousin the White Russian, drink back in the 1940s. He prepared this simple concoction for Perle Mesta, the American ambassador to Luxembourg, whom he must have felt needed her own signature cocktail.
The name itself is derived from its color, black, which it gets from the Kahlúa, and the origins of vodka, which hails from Russia.
Why You’ll Love It
- Only 2 ingredients. Technically there are 3 ingredients if you count the ice, but to prepare this Black Russian recipe you’ll only need vodka and Kahlúa.
- A great base for other cocktails. Richly flavored cocktails such as the White Russian and the Mudslide start with the same base as the Black Russian cocktail. The sweet coffee flavor of this simple beverage is delicious on its own though.
Ingredients Needed
How to Make a Black Russian
- Chill the ingredients. Pour the vodka and Kahlúa into a mixing glass with ice. Stir the mixture together.
- Strain. Place a strainer over the glass and strain the cocktail into a rock glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Change up the flavor. You don’t have to alter the drink entirely to change it up. Simply choose a flavored vodka such as vanilla or orange. There are also optional flavors of coffee liqueur such as vanilla and salted caramel that will add an additional sweetness to the drink.
- Add orange bitters. Swirl in some orange bitters for a citrusy and earthy flavor that pairs well with the Kahlúa and vodka.
- Try a Black Russian with coke. Once you’ve mixed your cocktail pour a splash of Coke on top for a delicious spin on the classic drink.
- Make it into a White Russian or a Mudslide. For a White Russian just add some cream or milk on top and for a Mudslide, a splash of Bailey’s is all you need.
FAQS
A Black Russian only has 2 ingredients, which are vodka and coffee liqueur, and is the base for the White Russian. The only difference is that the White Russian has cream or milk added on top.
This simple cocktail has a sweet coffee taste with a slight bite from the vodka. It’s strong in its pure alcohol, but delicious nonetheless.
This drink is made purely of alcohol, but the ABV varies depending on how you mix the drink. The traditional mixture is 2 parts vodka and 1 part Kahlúa.
If you enjoyed this easy Black Russian recipe, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars.
Black Russian Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Glass
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur
Instructions
- Pour the vodka and Kahlúa into a mixing glass with ice. Stir the mixture together.
- Place a strainer over the glass and strain the cocktail into a rock glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry.
Notes
- Change up the flavor. You don’t have to alter the drink entirely to change it up. Simply choose a flavored vodka such as vanilla or orange. There are also optional flavors of coffee liqueur such as vanilla and salted caramel that will add an additional sweetness to the drink.
- Add orange bitters. Swirl in some orange bitters for a citrusy and earthy flavor that pairs well with the Kahlúa and vodka.
- Try a Black Russian with coke. Once you’ve mixed your cocktail pour a splash of Coke on top for a delicious spin on the classic drink.
- Make it into a White Russian or a Mudslide. For a White Russian just add some cream or milk on top and for a Mudslide, a splash of Bailey’s is all you need.
