Cold Brew White Russian without Kahlua
Get ready for a delightful twist on a classic cocktail with this Cold Brew White Russian! We’re shaking things up by using homemade cold brew, swapping Kahlua for a blend of vodka and sugar syrup, and finishing it off with rich Half-and-Half.
This creamy concoction not only delivers on flavor but also creates a stunning marbled effect that’s sure to impress. Perfect for coffee lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike, this drink is both tasty and visually appealing. Cheers to trying something deliciously new!
Before diving into my unique Cold Brew White Russian, let’s revisit what’s in a White Russian. It’s essentially a Black Russian with a dash of milk for added sweetness.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Black Russian: Fill a rocks glass with ice and add 1 1/2 oz vodka and 3/4 oz Kahlua. Done!
- Sweeter Black Russian: Use equal parts vodka and Kahlua (1 oz each).
- Classic White Russian: Pour 1 oz each of vodka and Kahlua into an ice-filled glass, then top with milk or half-and-half. You can also use the classic black Russian ratio here.
Using Half and Half adds an extra layer of sweetness and a delightful creamy texture. Ready to elevate your cocktail game? Let’s get started!
Ingredients you need
- Vodka – Choosing the right vodka can elevate your cocktail. Opt for a high-quality, smooth vodka like Grey Goose, Tito’s, or Belvedere. These brands provide a clean taste that complements the coffee and cream.
- Sugar syrup – For a touch of sweetness, use dolce syrup. This type of syrup is slightly sweeter and adds a rich, caramel-like flavor that enhances the overall drink.
- Homemade cold brew – The homemade cold brew is the star of this drink. Follow my simple Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee recipe for a smooth, bold coffee base that’s easy to make and perfect for this cocktail.
- Half and Half – Half and Half is a mixture of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. It adds a rich, creamy texture to the drink, creating that beautiful marbled look and a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Cubed Ice – for the serving glass.
Step-by-step
How To Make a White Russian without Kahlua
Step 1: Fill your glass with cubed ice.
Step 2: Add cold brew.
Step 3: Combine vodka and sugar syrup in a small glass – stir to combine.
Step 4: Add the mix to the drinking glass.
Step 5: Fill up with half and half.
Enjoy the marbled look and exquisite taste!
Variations
White Russian with Vanilla Vodka
For a delightful twist, try using vanilla vodka in your Cold Brew White Russian. The vodka adds a hint of sweetness and a subtle, creamy vanilla flavor that perfectly complements the bold cold brew and rich half-and-half.
This variation enhances the drink’s taste and adds an extra layer of complexity, making it an even more enjoyable treat. Simply replace the regular vodka with vanilla vodka and follow the same steps for a deliciously unique cocktail experience.
You can also add vanilla vodka to the classic White and Black Russian recipes with Kahlua for a deliciously enhanced flavor profile.
Shaken White Russian
For a refreshing take on the classic, try a Shaken White Russian. Using regular milk and a cocktail shaker, this version incorporates air for a light, milkshake-like texture.
Simply add vodka, Kahlua, and milk to the shaker with ice, then shake vigorously until well-mixed and frothy. Strain into a glass over fresh ice and enjoy the airy, smooth consistency that transforms this indulgent cocktail into a delightful treat.
(This also works well with our cold brew white Russian recipe!)
Cold Brew White Russian with Rum
Kahlua is a Mexican rum-based coffee liqueur. Since we aren’t using Kahlua in this recipe, you can create a variation by substituting spiced rum for vodka.
This swap introduces the rich, caramel-like flavors of rum, bringing back the classic Kahlua undertone and adding a delightful depth to your Cold Brew White Russian.
Here’s how to make it:
- Fill your glass with ice cubes.
- Pour in the cold brew.
- Combine rum and sugar syrup in a separate container, stirring well.
- Add this mixture to the glass.
- Top with half-and-half or milk.
- Enjoy the enhanced flavor profile with a hint of rum!
This variation brings back the classic Kahlua note without using the liqueur itself, making it a delightful alternative.
Products
- Rocks glass
- Jigger / Measuring tools
- Small glass and small spoon – for mixing vodka with sugar syrup
More Recipes and Tips You Might Enjoy:
- Cold Brew Ratio – Guide
- Chocolate Iced Coffee
- Gifts for Cold Brew Coffee Lovers
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Can You Make Cold Brew in a French Press
- Cold brew with the Mason Jar
- Baileys Iced Coffee
- Strawberry Iced Coffee {stirred} with Cold Brew
- Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Iced Latte Caramel with Homemade Caramel Milk
- Iced Coffee with Milk
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- How to make Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso?
- Plant-based Vanilla Iced Coffee
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Half-and-Half White Russian with Cold Brew
Equipment
- Rocks glass
- Small spoon for mixing vodka with sugar syrup
- Small glass for mixing vodka with sugar syrup
Ingredients
- cubed ice for the glass
- 1 ½ oz Cold Brew
- 1 oz Vodka
- ½ oz Sugar Syrup
- Half-and-Half to top off
Instructions
- Fill your glass with cubed ice.cubed ice
- Pour in 1 ½ oz Cold Brew.1 ½ oz Cold Brew
- In a separate container, combine 1 oz Vodka and ½ oz Sugar Syrup, stirring well.1 oz Vodka, ½ oz Sugar Syrup
- Add this mixture to the glass.
- Top it off with Half-and-Half.Half-and-Half
White Russian is one of my alltime favourite cocktails. Love the fact that making my own coldbrew for it lets me choose the exact flavor of the most important ingredient. I used Oat cream, as I’m lactose intolerant.
Thank you, Sonja! The oat milk certainly adds a wonderful extra flavor!
Wow! This is such a mouth-watering drinks that looks absolutely delicious and very tasty! An instant favorite for me as coffee lover! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Thank you, Amy! I am so happy you liked it!
Omg I loved it. Added some brandy and used oat milk instead of dairy.
Love the idea of using brandy! Thanks, Deb!