Food

How to Make a Black Russian Cocktail: Classic Black Russian Recipe

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Nov 11, 2023 • 1 min read

The Black Russian is an easy-to-make mixed drink consisting only of vodka and coffee liqueur—essentially a White Russian without the cream.

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The Origins of the Black Russian Cocktail

The Black Russian recipe was invented in 1949 at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels by Belgian barman Gustave Tops. Tops created the drink to salute the achievements of his regular patron Perle Mesta, who was both the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg and a notable American socialite. Although the Black Russian originated in Belgium, its moniker evokes Russia's well-known association with vodka.

Black Russian Cocktail Recipe

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makes

1 cocktail

prep time

2 min

total time

2 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.

  2. 2

    Pour the vodka over the ice cubes, followed by the Kahlúa coffee liqueur.

  3. 3

    Stir well, and serve.

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