The Best Type Of Vodka To Use For A Classic White Russian
Vodka is a versatile spirit that serves as a key ingredient in a wide range of cocktails. Insider lists just a few vodka-based drink recipes, including Bloody Marys, Lemon Drops, and Moscow Mules. Vodka is a great addition to numerous cocktails thanks to its smooth flavor. That means that it pairs well with a variety of mixers, including milk and cream.
In fact, vodka is an integral part of the White Russian, an iconic cocktail that is brimming with milky goodness. According to Chilled, this creamy drink gets its name from the liquor used to concoct it, as there was a time when all vodka making its way to the U.S. came from Russia. While there's plenty of vodka variety these days, the question still remains — which brand of vodka is best for a White Russian? Personal preference definitely plays a role, but there are a few selections that work well in this delicious and legendary beverage.
The history of the White Russian
When it comes to the rich history of this famous drink, White Russians are preceded by a similar cocktail known as the Black Russian. As explained by Kahlúa, a Black Russian consists of coffee liqueur and vodka over ice, with the occasional cherry garnish. It was first concocted in Brussels in 1949 as a tribute to Luxembourg's U.S. ambassador. The only difference between it and a White Russian is the addition of milk or cream, depending on your preference.
Difford's Guide explains that while there is no exact origination date for the White Russian, the cocktail recipe began appearing in advertisements in the mid-60s. Over the decades, it became less popular as drinkers experimented with more daring concoctions. All that changed in 1998, when the Coen Brothers released their iconic film "The Big Lebowski," (via IMDb). Jeff Bridges' amazing portrayal of The Dude is now part of cinema history, thanks in no small part to his penchant for White Russians. And while it remains a secret as to The Dude's favorite choice of vodka in his signature drink, there are lots of great options at your disposal.
Best vodka choices when crafting your own creamy cocktail
Liquor.com offers a simple White Russian recipe that combines vodka, Kahlúa, and heavy cream. When it comes to vodka selection, the reader is urged to choose a "decent" brand, meaning nothing too top-shelf or high-end is necessary to make a fabulous drink. All you really need is a smooth-drinking brand that will serve as a nice base for the sweet flavor of the Kahlúa and cream. Decanter suggests avoiding rye-based vodkas for this cocktail, and choosing barley or potato-based varieties instead as you'll get a smoother flavor.
Parade shares a list of reasonably priced vodka brands that can be enjoyed on their own or within the cocktail. At the more expensive end of the spectrum is Crystal Head Vodka, which is diamond-filtered for a smooth taste. At about $50 a bottle, this brand is geared towards the serious vodka enthusiast, although you do end up with a really cool skull bottle when the spirit has been depleted. If you're looking for something reasonable that doesn't skimp on quality, Tito's corn-based vodka may be the brand for you at around $13 a bottle. Tito's pleasing taste is made possible by its unique distilling process, which sends the vodka through special pot stills six times to remove any impurities (per Spirits Review).
With the White Russian, you can experiment with your go-to vodka, or for a twist, a vanilla-flavored vodka. like Skyy, as recommended by Food Network.