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 three-ingredient cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and ice cubes. While it’s not necessary to measure the ice, the vodka and coffee liqueur must 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.
Black Russian Ingredients
The Black Russian isn’t just easy to craft, it also has a super succinct ingredient list with the following three ingredients:
You can use your favorite vodka and coffee liqueur to craft a Black Russian.
Keeping to theme, we sometimes use Stolichnaya vodka. Although Stoli is currently produced in Latvia, the popular vodka has a long Soviet past.
However, there’s nothing remotely Russian about Kahlúa, our preferred coffee liqueur. Dark and rich, Kahlúa has always been produced in Mexico.
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.
The third step is to pour each liquor directly into the ice-filled glass. You’ll want to do this doing this immediately after measuring each.
The final step is to stir the drink for a few seconds – no garnish or flourishes necessary.
Black Russian Alternatives
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
Did you craft this cocktail? If so, please rate the recipe below.
Black Russian Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- ice
Instructions
- Fill lowball glass with ice 3/4 to the top.
- Add vodka and coffee liqueur.
- Gently stir.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition
Thirsty For More Vodka Cocktails?
About The Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on their website 2foodtrippers. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.
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Original Publication Date: August 17, 2021