This Baileys White Russian cocktail recipe is creamy, sweet and really simple to make! If you love the classic White Russian cocktail, you’ll enjoy fun twist that is extra creamy and sweet.
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Bailey White Russian recipe
The White Russian is a classic cocktail that is already creamy and delicious, but adding Baileys Irish Cream into the mix is a total game changer. If you like creamy cocktails, then you’re going to love this recipe too!
It’s a great St. Patricks Day cocktail, but perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving and really all year round. This Baileys version of a white Russian uses Irish cream in place of some of the cream in the original recipe. It makes for a slightly boozier cocktail with hints of vanilla, chocolate and whiskey thanks to the Baileys.
Pair this delicious cocktail with some of my famous Baileys chocolate chip cookies too. Trust me, it’s the best dessert combination ever!
So, if you’re looking for new boozy cocktails to make that have a more sweet and dessert like flavor, then give this recipe a try. It kind of tastes like spiked iced coffee, which just sounds like a wonderful idea for cocktail hour!
More White Russian recipes: Pumpkin Spice White Russian • Eggnog White Russian • Peppermint White Russian
Why you’ll love this recipe
What do you get when you combine coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, vodka, and heavy cream? This perfect creamy cocktail of course! This recipe is great because:
- It only takes five minutes to make this incredible drink. So you can throw everything into a shaker and whip it up as the perfect after-dinner cocktail.
- If you enjoy sweet drinks, this one is very dessert like yet it’s not overly sweet or super sugary. Instead, it’s a great balance of coffee flavors and sweet cream so that the flavors are not too overpowering.
- You only need four ingredients to make a Baileys White Russian! That means you can keep everything you need on hand and make this whenever you get a craving for it.
Tools & glassware
If you are using the built method, you will only need rock glasses and spoon to stir the ingredients. You will need rock glasses for the cocktail shaker method, along with a cocktail shaker.
You’ll also need a jigger for both methods so that you can measure out each of the ingredients.
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Ingredients
To make a creamy Baileys White Russian cocktail, here are all of the ingredients that you will need:
- vodka: Use your favorite vodka in this drink! If you’re not sure what vodka to use, then check out my Vodka 101 post for everything you need to know about this hard liquor. You can also change up the flavor of this cocktail by using flavored liquor like vanilla vodka or caramel vodka.
- coffee liqueur: A brand like Kahlua typically provides a wonderful flavor to drinks like these. However, you can also really easily make your own homemade coffee liqueur to mix into a Baileys White Russian cocktail.
- Irish cream liqueur: My favorite Irish cream is the Baileys brand, however I also love my recipe for homemade Irish cream liqueur. It always turns out delicious, smooth, and creamy.
- heavy cream: If you do not have heavy whipping cream on hand, you can use half and half instead. Whole milk would also work since you only need a small splash for each drink!
Substitutions & variations
There are many different flavor variations that you could do in this recipe simply by changing up the vodka and liqueurs you use. But there are also tons of toppings and additions you can use in this cocktail to change up the flavor and customize it. A few tasty ideas are:
- homemade whipped cream (or with booze mixed in, a la Baileys whipped cream)
- caramel simple syrup
- homemade chocolate syrup
To make this cocktail more coffee-like, add a shot of espresso or some strong brewed coffee.
If you want a dairy-free version of this white Russian, use Baileys brand Almande liqueur in place of the traditional Irish cream. Then swap out the heavy cream for full fat coconut milk or coconut cream.
How to make a Baileys White Russian
Follow these step by step instructions so that you can easily make this creamy cocktail with no hiccups in the process. There are two different methods to make a Baileys white Russian, so use whichever works for you. Here’s the first:
Built Method
Add 1 ½ ounce vodka and one ounce Kahlúa to a rock glass that is filled with ice.
Then pour Irish cream liqueur and a splash of cream over the top. Stir the ingredients together until well combined, then serve and enjoy!
Cocktail Shaker Method
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur and a splash of cream.
Shake well the cocktail until combined and chilled, then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Serve immediately.
Tips & tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- If you prefer for this cocktail to be super thick, then use the cocktail shaker method to make it. The thickness of your Baileys white Russian will also depend on what kind of milk you use since regular milk will be much thinner than half-and-half or heavy cream.
- Do not make this drink until just ready to serve. It is better when it is cold and you wouldn’t want the ice to start melting and water down your cocktail before you’ve even had a chance to really start drinking it!
- Use coffee ice cubes in the glasses so that when they start to melt, the flavor of the cocktail isn’t effected negatively. Instead, the coffee flavors just get stronger!
What to serve with a Baileys White Russian
This dessert cocktail is one of the best things to make for movie night because when you pair it with salty buttered popcorn and sweet caramel popcorn, it’s just a match made in heaven. It’s also sooo yummy paired with puppy chow popcorn.
Chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered pretzels are always a great combination with this white Russian recipe too.
Sweet treats like Madelines, hot chocolate cookies and double chocolate chip cookies would all pair wonderfully with this drink.
FAQ
Essentially, yes coffee liqueur and Kahlua are the same thing. Kahlua is a rum and coffee liqueur that is a popular name-brand originating in Mexico. However, yu can use any coffee liqueur that you want in this recipe.
While it is not 100% necessary for Baileys to be served cold, it does make the flavor much better when it is served cold! I recommend chilling it before using it in this recipe so that it helps keep the whole cocktail cold.
More Baileys recipes
- Iced Irish Coffee
- Irishcream Cold Brew
- Nutty Irishman Drink
- Guiness Chocolate Cake with Irish Cream Frosting
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Baileys White Russian
ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur such as Kahlua
- 1 ½ ounce Irish cream liqueur such as Baileys
- ½ ounce heavy cream or half-and-half
instructions
Built method:
- In a rock glass filled with ice, add vodka and Kahlúa. Stir gently. Top with Irish cream liqueur and a splash of cream. Stir and serve.
Cocktail, shaker method:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur and a splash of cream. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
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