Black Russian Cocktail: Dark and Delicious
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The Black Russian cocktail is more than just a White Russian without cream. Whether you’re curious about the dark drink or if you’re simply looking for a Black Russian recipe, you’ve come to the right place.
The Black Russian isn’t just a sophisticated sipper that’s ridiculously easy to craft at home. It’s also the bol’shoy papa (i.e., big daddy) of a cocktail category that includes the White Russian, Mudslide and Mind Eraser.
While the Black Russian’s story is almost as short as its recipe, the vodka drink’s flavor is as big as Siberia.
What Is a Black Russian Drink?
In simple terms, a Black Russian is a two-ingredient cocktail made with vodka and coffee liqueur plus ice cubes. While it’s not necessary to measure the ice, the vodka and coffee liqueur should have a 2:1 ratio.
Although it’s easy to confuse a Black Russian cocktail with a White Russian cocktail, the two drinks have distinct differences. For starters, the Black Russian is as dark as coffee while its counterpart has a milky complexion. The chocolate-brown cocktail also provides more of a kick without any mixers to dilute its alcohol components.
Plus, as a bonus, the Black Russian ticks the box for cocktail drinkers who are vegetarian and/or lactose impaired.
History of the Black Russian
The Black Russian and White Russian cocktails are the opposite of a ‘chicken and egg’ situation. Unlike their poultry peers, we know which drink came first – the Black Russian.
Cocktail lore attributes the creation of the Black Russian to a Belgian bartender named Gustave Tops.
The creative mixologist, who worked at the Hotel Metropole in 1940s Brussels, likely had no ties to Russia. Instead, he named the drink a Black Russian in recognition of the drink’s dark color and the homeland of vodka, one of the drink’s two liquors.
Ingredients
The Black Russian isn’t just easy to craft, it also has a super-succinct ingredient list with the following three ingredients:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft a Black Russian Cocktail
The first step in this recipe is to add ice to the lowball glass. We typically use ice ‘crafted’ by our refrigerator’s automatic ice maker.
The second step is to measure the two liquid ingredients. We use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and avoid spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
The third step is to pour each liquor directly into the ice-filled glass. You’ll want to do this immediately after measuring each.
The final step is to stir the drink for a few seconds. No garnish or flourish is necessary.
Variations
We recommend trying a Black Russian in its pure form before adding additional ingredients. When you’re ready, the following alternatives will get you started:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Black Russian Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- ice
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice 3/4 to the top.
- Add vodka and coffee liqueur.
- Gently stir.
Notes
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
A Black Russian is a three-ingredient cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and ice cubes.
The Black Russian’s name was inspired by the cocktail’s dark color and the homeland of vodka.
Despite its name, the Black Russian was invented in Belgium.
Vodka, Coffee Liqueur and Ice
Any vodka will work in the Black Russian recipe.
The Black Russian is stirred, not shaken.
We like to serve this cocktail in a lowball glass, and you should do the same.
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