Back to All Drinks
Belgian
Easy

Black Russian

A simple and potent cocktail, the Black Russian combines vodka and coffee liqueur, served over ice. It's the darker, spirit-forward sibling to the White Russian, without the cream.

Black Russian
Vodka
Coffee Liqueur
Sweet
Classic
Cocktail
4.7 / 5
2 min
Prep Time
Servings
Black Russian
$5.50
Ingredients
0/3 ready
Other
Other
Other
Step-by-Step Instructions
1

Prepare the glass

Fill an old fashioned glass (or rocks glass) with 1 serving of ice.

💡 Tips:

  • Large ice cubes melt slower and are ideal for spirit-forward drinks.
Estimated time: less than 1 min
2

Add ingredients

Pour 2 ounces (60 ml) vodka and 1 ounce (30 ml) coffee liqueur over the ice in the glass.

💡 Tips:

  • The ratio can be adjusted slightly to suit preference; more vodka for stronger, more liqueur for sweeter.
Estimated time: 1 min
3

Stir and serve

Stir gently for about 10-15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients. Serve immediately.

💡 Tips:

  • Stir just until well-chilled.
Estimated time: 1 min
Flavor Profile
Strong
Sweet
Coffee
Spirit-forward
Alcohol Content
25-30% ABV
Enjoy responsibly!
Fun Fact
The Black Russian was supposedly created in 1949 by Gustave Tops, a bartender at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels, Belgium, for Perle Mesta, then U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg, just before the Cold War, hence the 'Russian' name.
Bartender's Tips
  • 💡Use a good quality vodka, as its flavor will be noticeable.
  • 💡Experiment with different coffee liqueurs for varied coffee notes.
  • 💡For a touch of creaminess without the full White Russian, add a very small splash of heavy cream or milk.
  • 💡Can be served as a digestif after a meal due to its strong, rich flavor.
Leave a Review
Share your experience with this recipe

You Might Also Like

Discover more delicious drinks similar to what you're viewing

Martini
$8.00
Easy
Martini
American
30-40% ABV (approx.)
Martini
Gin
White Russian
$6.00
Easy
White Russian
American
15-20% ABV
White Russian
Vodka
Old Fashioned
$7.00
Easy
Old Fashioned
American
30-35% ABV (approx.)
Old Fashioned
Whiskey
Whiskey Sour
$6.50
Easy
Whiskey Sour
American
20-25% ABV (approx.)
Whiskey Sour
Whiskey
Black Russian Drink Recipe Made Easy & Simple