Classic Kahlua White Russian Recipe With Cream
This easy Kahlua White Russian recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make. You’ll be sipping a creamy, classic cocktail in no time. With coffee liqueur and a little vodka, you’ll enjoy this tasty drink all year long!
Make this Kahlua White Russian next time you want to sip something flavorful with just the right amount of coffee flavor! This refreshing drink is perfect for happy hour and enjoying with friends. It’s one of my favorite vodka recipes and it couldn’t be easier to make.
Why You Need to Make a Kahlua White Russian with Cream
I get it. You may not feel like cream is a great cocktail ingredient. But you’re wrong! Especially because this drink has Kahlua, a tasty coffee liqueur. And cream is a classic pairing.
While I always try to keep my home bar small (here are the bar essentials I think you need), and free from one-off specialty bottles, Kahlua is something that can be used over and over.
Related post: Coffee White Russian with Cold Brew
There are tons of other Kahlua recipes and cocktails to make that aren’t Russians. Try an Espresso Martini (with cold brew!), fudge and even these dinner ideas!
This drink is just 3 ingredients and can be made straight in the glass. No shaker is required making it great for mixing at home. And it’s great to sip any time of year.
Kahlua White Russian Ingredients
You’ll need vodka (these are my favorite vodkas for making Moscow Mules but will work great for a White Russian drink recipe too) or just use what you already have at home. A little Kahlua and heavy cream and you’re almost ready to sip.
While Kahlua does have a touch of sweetness, you can always add some simple syrup (omg, this cinnamon vanilla simple syrup would be AMAZING), maple syrup, or agave.
See recipe card for quantities. You’ll love that it’s fairly easy to keep these White Russian ingredients on hand.
How to Make a White Russian with Kahlua
Step 1
Add ice to a short cocktail glass.
Step 2
Add vodka over ice.
Step 3
Add the Kahlua coffee liqueur.
Step 4
Add the heavy cream.
Taste, then add sweetener as needed.
You don’t have to stir, but you can. It really is the best way to ensure that all these yummy flavors mingle together in one sip.
White Russian Cocktail Variations
While this is the standard White Russian recipe with Kahlua, there are several variations you can make to suit your flavor preferences.
- Skip the cream and use regular milk instead. The texture will be a little bit thinner if the idea of heavy cream was too much for you.
- Make it non-dairy. You can use whatever non-dairy alternative you prefer. Like my Milk Punch, almond milk would be great.
- I prefer my White Russian Cocktail recipe with Kahlua but you can also use Baileys for a slightly different flavor (and here is how to drink Baileys to get the most out of that bottle).
- A vanilla vodka would be a tasty swap in this recipe.
- You can skip the vodka and use rum or whiskey instead.
- You can add chocolate syrup (like I do with my large batch White Russian recipe) or cinnamon to add another layer of flavor.
- And if you aren’t into a cold drink, you can serve this warm. Just take care you don’t scald the cream.
But my favorite variation is White Russian Cupcakes!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally it’s made with vodka and Kahlua (rum-based coffee liqueur). But you can use whatever you prefer! Try a taste test and see if you like it with whiskey, spiced rum or even tequila.
You can use coffee but it will taste a bit different as Kahlua is sweetened and coffee isn’t unless you add the sugar yourself. You can make your own Kahlua by using coffee. Or you can make a Coffee White Russian with cold brew.
You can stir a White Russian or not. It’s totally up to you. You could even shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker if you wanted to. When shaking with ice, it slightly whips the cream making it feel extra luscious in your mouth. I say give it a try and see if you prefer one over the other. While there are “rules” in making cocktails, my opinion is to try things and keep doing what you like best.
Kahlua is a coffee liqueur made with a rum base. It’s a great way to add coffee flavor to all kinds of recipes. You can read more about Kahlua here.
Yes, Kahlua does have some caffeine. But it is pretty darn small and shouldn’t keep you up all night. If your are extra sensitive to caffeine you can drink just one drink, or look for a decaf coffee liqueur.
While Kahlua isn’t officially labeled as gluten-free, the ingredients (rum, coffee, sugar and vanilla) are typically gluten-free ingredients. If you are worried about cross contamination you may want to reach out to the manufacturer to double check.
While some people like to drink and serve it chilled, Kahlua doesn’t need to be refrigerated. The ingredients are kept shelf-stable thanks to the alcohol and sugar. But it is best stored in a cool, dark place.
An open bottle of Kahlua can last for 2-3 years. It won’t necessarily “go bad,” but the coffee flavor may become weak.
Coffee Liqueur Hack
If you don’t have Kahlua on hand but still want to make a White Russian, you can! Brew strong coffee and let it cool completely. Add about 1.5 ounces of vodka, 1.5 ounces of the cooled, strong coffee and 4 tsp of sugar and mix well.
Add this to the recipe above and adjust the sweetness as needed.
You’ll love this classic White Russian with Kahlua recipe! It’s perfect for happy hour, Netflix nights or any party!
More Easy Kahlua Cocktails
More Easy Cocktail Recipes
Kahlua White Russian
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlua
- 1 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
- In a short cocktail glass with ice, add vodka, Kahlua and heavy cream.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Skip the cream and use regular milk instead. The texture will be a little bit thinner if the idea of heavy cream was too much for you.
- Make it non-dairy. Almond milk would be great.
- Don’t have Kahlua? You can use another coffee-liqueur or Bailey’s for a slightly different flavor.
- A vanilla vodka would be a tasty swap in this recipe.
- You can skip the vodka and use rum or whiskey instead.
- You can add chocolate syrup or cinnamon to add another layer of flavor.
- And if you aren’t into a cold drink, you can serve this warm. Just take care you don’t scald the cream – heat slowly).
Kahlua recipes are always an absolute treat! A white russian is perfect for satiating my cravings for sweets, too. The perfect combo!
Yes! I love a good White Russian after dinner.
My dad loves Kahlua – we bought him some for Christmas. I can’t wait to share this kahula recipe with him!
I love Kahlua and am always in the market for new Kahlua recipes. This classic cocktail looks so good, I might just try it tonight.
My parents ALWAYS made kahlua recipes around the holidays! There are so many variations!
Yes! I don’t love to buy a bottle of something until I know there are a ton of recipes you can make with it. And there are lots of great Kahlua recipes!
Kahlua and cream is one of my favorite combinations! I love that this drink is made with only 3 ingredients that are easy to always keep on hand!
I love that Kahlua and Cream is so simple but totally comforting.