Black Russian Cocktail
A Black Russian is a two-ingredient vodka cocktail with deep coffee flavor and a smooth, spirit-forward finish. Serve it over plenty of ice when you want a simple after-dinner drink with almost no prep.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mDrinks
The Black Russian is one of the simplest classic cocktails: vodka, coffee liqueur, and ice. It is rich without cream, sweet without being dessert-heavy, and strong enough to sip slowly.
The drink dates to the late 1940s and became a bar staple because it is so easy to remember. Unlike a White Russian, it has no cream or milk, so the coffee flavor comes through more clearly.
Use a rocks glass, also called an old-fashioned glass, and build the drink right in the glass. “Build” means you pour the ingredients directly over ice instead of shaking them in a cocktail shaker.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
4 items · 1 cocktail
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Optional garnish: 1 to 3 coffee beans or an orange twist
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Set a rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes if you have time. This is optional, but a cold glass helps the ice melt more slowly.
2. Fill with ice
Add ice cubes to the glass until it is about three-quarters full. Larger cubes are helpful because they melt more slowly and keep the drink from tasting watery too fast.
3. Pour the vodka
Measure 2 ounces of vodka and pour it over the ice. Measuring keeps the cocktail balanced and prevents it from becoming too strong by accident.
4. Add the coffee liqueur
Measure 1 ounce of coffee liqueur and pour it into the glass. It will sink and swirl through the vodka because it is thicker and sweeter.
5. Stir gently
Stir for about 10 seconds with a bar spoon or any long spoon. Stirring chills the drink and blends the vodka with the coffee liqueur without adding too much melted ice.
7. Serve right away
Serve the Black Russian immediately while it is cold. Sip slowly, since this is a spirit-forward cocktail.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can pre-mix the vodka and coffee liqueur up to 1 day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Do not add ice until serving.
- Storage: A mixed Black Russian without ice can be refrigerated for a day, but it is so quick that it is usually better made fresh. Once poured over ice, drink it soon before it dilutes.
- Swap the ratio: For a drier drink, use 2 ounces vodka and 3/4 ounce coffee liqueur. For a sweeter drink, use equal parts vodka and coffee liqueur.
- Vodka choice: Use a clean-tasting vodka you would enjoy in a simple drink. There are only two ingredients, so harsh vodka will stand out.
- Coffee liqueur swaps: Any coffee liqueur works. Some brands are sweeter than others, so adjust the amount to taste.
- No shaker needed: A Black Russian is stirred in the glass. Shaking can over-dilute it and create a texture that is not typical for the drink.
Cook's note
Nutrition is estimated per 1 cocktail made with 2 ounces 80-proof vodka and 1 ounce coffee liqueur. Ice and optional garnish are not included. This recipe contains alcohol and is intended for adults of legal drinking age.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What is the difference between a Black Russian and a White Russian?
A Black Russian is made with vodka and coffee liqueur. A White Russian adds cream or milk, which makes it richer, lighter in color, and more dessert-like.
Can I make a Black Russian without coffee liqueur?
Coffee liqueur is the main flavor in the drink, so there is no exact replacement. In a pinch, you can use a small amount of strong cold brew coffee plus simple syrup, but the cocktail will be lighter and less rounded.
Should a Black Russian be shaken or stirred?
It is usually stirred directly in the glass over ice. Stirring chills and combines the ingredients while keeping the drink smooth and clear.
What glass should I use?
Use a rocks glass, also called an old-fashioned glass. It is short, sturdy, and the right size for a drink served over ice.
Is a Black Russian very strong?
Yes, it is spirit-forward. This version has 2 ounces of vodka plus coffee liqueur, so it is meant to be sipped slowly.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium3 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate15 g
- 5%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars15 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium1 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium2 mg
- 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksWhite Russian
A White Russian is a simple, creamy cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. It is rich without being fussy, and it comes together right in the glass.
DrinksHurricane Cocktail
This New Orleans classic is bold, fruity, and rum-forward, with passion fruit, citrus, and grenadine balancing the drink’s strength. Serve it over plenty of ice in a hurricane glass, or use any tall glass you have.
DrinksHugo Cocktail
The Hugo cocktail is a light, bubbly aperitif made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, mint, lime, and soda water. It is floral, fresh, and easy to build right in the glass.
DrinksClassic Champagne Cocktail
A classic Champagne cocktail is simple, elegant, and easy to build right in the glass. A sugar cube, bitters, and chilled sparkling wine make a festive drink with a bright lemon finish.