Bartenders from all over the world compete in the preparation of interesting and unusual cocktails, but there are recipes that are classics and do not age even after decades. For example, the White Russian cocktail, loved by Americans, by the way, has been performed for years in the same proportions.
The White Russian cocktail, made from vodka, liqueur and heavy cream, has a delicate creamy coffee taste that makes it so popular. It is logical to assume that the Russian cocktail was invented in Russia. However, this is not at all the case. For the first time this cocktail was mixed in the USA by American bartenders. There are two explanations for the fact that the drink has become "Russian".
It is believed that the cocktail was named in honor of the White Guards who flooded the countries abroad after the defeat in the war. They were called "White Russians". According to another version, the drink got its name because it contains vodka, and only Russians can drink vodka. The prefix "White" is also explained by the presence of one of the ingredients - cream.
The cocktail is mixed in the following proportions: two parts of vodka, one part of coffee liqueur, then top up with the rest of the cream, completing the mix with crushed ice. By the way, a cocktail with the same recipe can be prepared in different ways. The taste of the drink will not change, but the appearance will be different.
Sometimes all the cocktail ingredients and ice are mixed in a shaker and then poured into glasses.
Some people prefer to mix liquor and vodka and then gently pour the whipped cream onto the surface. There is also a third cooking option, when all the ingredients are poured in neat layers. Stir them with a large spoon before serving to the client.
If the components of "White Russian" are practically unchanged (sometimes they take milk instead of cream), then the proportions are a private affair of each bartender. When the recipe was first published, vodka and coffee liqueur were poured in equal parts and topped with just one spoonful of cream. A little later, the amount of liqueur was slightly reduced, but the creamy part increased to one-fifth of a glass. Then gradually the proportions approached the usual ones today. Although, they say that the Irish went even further. They make a cocktail from one part vodka, part Kahlua coffee liqueur and four whole parts milk.
By the way, initially "White Russian" was considered an exclusively female cocktail, but today it has become a favorite cocktail of many men.
"White Russian" inspired bartenders to create a range of cocktails with similar taste and composition. For example, if vodka is replaced with rum, then "White Russian" will instantly turn into "Cuban". "White trash" is obtained by using whiskey instead of vodka. Well, if you add cherry brandy instead of coffee liqueur, then “Russian” will no longer become “White”, but “Blue”. Of course, the shade of the cocktail will not resemble the blue of heaven, but this is not important, since the name is translated somewhat differently - "Russian Gay". Dirty Russian is complemented not with cream, but with chocolate syrup.
There is also "Pale Russian", "Pierced Russian" and even "Beggar Russian". In the first version of the drink, vodka is exchanged for moonshine, in the second - cream and liqueur for Irish Sheridans, but, apparently, an impoverished Russian emigrant mixes vodka with boiled condensed milk. Another cocktail option was invented for a charming Russian tennis player. It is called “Anna Kournikova”. For this girl, bartenders add skim milk or kefir to the cocktail.
