Mixpert editorial recipe

Classic White Russian

Name: Classic White Russian
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 fl oz vodka; 1 fl oz coffee liqueur; 1 fl oz heavy cream; 1 cup ice

Cold cream slowly marbles through coffee liqueur and vodka, creating a rich dessert cocktail that needs no additional sweetener.

By Mixpert KitchenReviewed for clear measures, practical steps, and nutrition consistency.Our recipe standard

Ready in5 minMakes1 servingCalories · estimated per serving272Total sugar · estimated per serving13g

White Russian cocktail with cream swirling through coffee liqueur and vodka over ice

Legal drinking age · Enjoy responsibly

What you’ll need

Ingredients

1 1/2 fl ozvodka
1 fl ozcoffee liqueur
1 fl ozheavy cream
1 cupice

Estimated nutrition per serving

272Calories1gProtein13gCarbs11gFatNot reliably estimatedFiber13gTotal sugarNot reliably estimatedAdded sugar

Nutrition values are calculated estimates for the listed ingredients, preparation, and serving size. Ingredient brands, substitutions, preparation, and serving size can change the result.

Not reliably estimated: Fiber — Kahlúa Original, 16% alcohol by volume; 245 kcal, 39.3 g carbohydrate/total sugar, and 12.6 g alcohol per 100 mL does not report fiber. Added sugar — Kahlúa Original, 16% alcohol by volume; 245 kcal, 39.3 g carbohydrate/total sugar, and 12.6 g alcohol per 100 mL does not report added sugar. Other displayed values remain estimates from their cited records.

Calculation assumptions

Estimated with 40% ABV vodka, Kahlúa Original at 16% ABV, and one fluid ounce of heavy cream.

Serving basis: The calculated batch is divided into 1 equal serving.

Estimated alcohol: about 1.3 U.S. standard drinks. Approximately 124 calories come from ethanol at 7 kcal per gram.

Method: Nutrition is estimated from listed mass quantities or the stated label-volume basis, preparation, and cited composition data. A label-volume equivalent is not a measured gram weight. Actual values vary by brand, produce size, preparation method, and serving yield.

Quality check: database or declared-label energy is checked against macro-derived energy. Variances above 8% are blocked for review unless a documented food-specific or rounding explanation has been approved.

USDA FoodData Central ↗

See modeled quantities and references

vodka · 42 gDistilled spirit, 40% alcohol by volume · Declared Mixpert product profile · Mixpert declared profile: distilled-spirit-40-abv ↗ · Mixpert declared-label set 2026-09-12 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g derived basis. Derived from the declared formulation; ethanol energy is calculated separately at 7 kcal/g.
coffee liqueur · 30 mL (label-volume basis)Kahlúa Original, 16% alcohol by volume; 245 kcal, 39.3 g carbohydrate/total sugar, and 12.6 g alcohol per 100 mL · Declared Mixpert product profile · Kahlúa Original Coffee Liqueur eLabel L01624 (global market declaration) ↗ · Manufacturer eLabel accessed 2026-09-15 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 mL. The declaration is already per 100 mL and is scaled directly by recipe volume using 1 mL as 1 g-equivalent. Declared calories already include alcohol energy; ethanol is retained only for reconciliation.
heavy cream · 29.8 gCream, heavy whipping · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 170859 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
ice · 236.6 gWater, tap · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 173647 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Garnish or preparation ingredient is excluded because it is not expected to be consumed.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record. Preparation model: garnish not consumed; retained mass fraction 1.

Sugar checkThe coffee liqueur provides nearly all sugar; the cream contributes fat and a small amount of natural lactose.

Step by step

Make it like a pro.

01
Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
02
Pour in the vodka and coffee liqueur, then stir briefly.
03
Float the cream over the back of a spoon and stir to your preferred level of marbling.

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Tools for This Recipe

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Easy swaps

Use half-and-half to save about 60 calories*.
Use unsweetened oat creamer for a dairy-free version, checking the label for added sugar.

Mixpert tips

Pour the cream slowly for visible layers.
Serve immediately before the ice dilutes the cream.

Good to know

Classic White Russian FAQs

Why did the cream curdle in my White Russian?

Cold heavy cream normally forms a smooth layer over vodka and coffee liqueur. If it looks grainy, check that the cream is fresh and the glass and ice are clean; some liqueurs or cream substitutes behave differently. Pour slowly and stir lightly if you prefer one uniform drink.

Why float the cream in a White Russian?

Pouring heavy cream over the back of a spoon creates the pale layer above the vodka and coffee liqueur. It is mainly a serving choice: stir the glass before drinking if you prefer an even, creamy texture throughout. Fresh ice helps keep the layer distinct briefly.

What is the difference between a White Russian and Black Russian?

A Black Russian leaves out the cream and contains only vodka and coffee liqueur.

Classic White Russian

Make it like a pro.

Tools for This Recipe

Easy swaps

Mixpert tips

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Classic White Russian FAQs

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