Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Coffee Liqueur
- 1.5 oz Vodka
Instructions
Pour
- In an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes, pour 3/4 oz coffee liqueur.
Add Vodka
- Pour 1.5 oz vodka over the coffee liqueur.
Serve
- Serve immediately and enjoy the bold, smooth flavors of this classic cocktail.
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Hotel Metropole, Brussels, 1949. Bartender Gustave Tops created the drink for Perle Mesta, the American Ambassador to Luxembourg. Mesta was a society host known as 'the hostess with the mostess' and asked for something simple but distinctive. Tops mixed vodka with the Mexican coffee liqueur Kahlua. The name nodded to Cold War tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.
It became the foundation of an entire family of vodka-and-Kahlua drinks. Adding cream gave the White Russian. Adding Coke gave the Colorado Bulldog. Adding cola and an extra layer of vodka gave the Black Magic. The simple two-ingredient stir keeps showing up in new disguises.
What it tastes like
Sweet coffee from the Kahlua, vodka warmth underneath, slight bitterness on the finish. Drinks like an alcoholic iced coffee. Smooth, simple, easy to overdo.
Quality of vodka matters more than you'd think. Cheap vodka adds an off note that Kahlua can't hide. Mid-range vodka (Smirnoff, Absolut, Tito's) is the sweet spot.
The technique
Build directly in a rocks glass over ice. 50ml vodka, 25ml Kahlua. Stir gently to chill and combine.
Some bartenders prefer stirred-and-strained over fresh ice. Both methods work. The drink is so simple that technique mostly affects dilution.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The vodka
- Use
- Plain neutral vodka (Smirnoff, Absolut, Tito's, Stoli)
- Skip
- Flavoured vodka or bottom-shelf
- Why
- Neutral vodka is the canonical match. Bottom-shelf vodka tastes off through the Kahlua.
The Kahlua
- Use
- Kahlua Original (Mexico)
- Try
- Mr Black, Tia Maria, or any cold-brew coffee liqueur
- Why
- Kahlua is the standard. Mr Black tastes more like cold-brew coffee. Both work.
The ice
- Use
- One large ice cube or a couple of big rocks
- Skip
- Crushed ice (over-dilutes)
- Why
- Big ice melts slowly. The drink should stay strong as you sip.
Variations
Other simple, spirit-forward classics for slow drinking.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Bourbon makes a Tennessee Black Russian (richer, oakier). Tequila makes a Mexican Black Russian.
Tia Maria, Mr Black, Bailey's Coffee, or any coffee liqueur. Cold brew concentrate plus 5ml simple syrup is an emergency option.
Bump Kahlua to 30ml.
Bump vodka to 60ml.
Add 30ml cream floated over the top. Same drink, more dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Black Russian?
Vodka and Kahlua over ice. Standard spec: 50ml vodka, 25ml Kahlua, stirred over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
How do you make a Black Russian?
Add 50ml vodka and 25ml Kahlua to a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Stir gently to chill and combine.
Where did the Black Russian come from?
Hotel Metropole, Brussels, 1949. Bartender Gustave Tops created it for Perle Mesta, the American Ambassador to Luxembourg.
Black Russian vs White Russian?
Same drink, plus or minus cream. White Russian adds 30ml cream floated on top. Black Russian is just vodka and Kahlua.
What vodka should I use?
Plain neutral vodka. Smirnoff, Absolut, Tito's, Stoli. The vodka shows through, so don't use bottom-shelf.
What is Kahlua?
A Mexican coffee liqueur made from arabica coffee, vanilla, and rum. Around 20% ABV. The most-used coffee liqueur in cocktails worldwide.
Should it be stirred or shaken?
Built or stirred. The drink has no fruit juice or egg white, so shaking just aerates without benefit.
How strong is a Black Russian?
Around 22 to 26 percent ABV in the glass. The Kahlua brings sweetness that masks the alcohol.
Can I make a non-alcoholic Black Russian?
Cold-brew coffee plus a splash of vanilla syrup over ice. Not the same drink but the same drinking experience.
What glass should I use?
A rocks glass (Old Fashioned). Short, wide, holds about 200ml.
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