Eggnog White Russian

Get into the holiday spirit with a delightful twist on a classic cocktail, the Eggnog White Russian. The rich and creamy blend of traditional eggnog and the iconic White Russian makes for an indulgent drink that combines the warmth of seasonal spices with the smooth sophistication of a timeless favorite.

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Eggnog White Russian recipe

It’s not the holidays without eggnog. Whether you like to add a splash to your coffee or sip it straight, this creamy delight is a favorite and for good reason.

If you’re of the group who likes eggnog in their coffee, you’ll love the Eggnog White Russian.

Instead of cream, it uses real eggnog. It has a hint of espresso thanks to the luxurious, silky coffee liqueur. It also gets a splash of whiskey, rum or brandy for a boost of that boozy eggnog flavor.

This easy holiday cocktail is one you will enjoy at the holidays for years to come. Let’s dive in!

More eggnog recipes: Pumpkin Eggnog • Cinnamon Eggnog • Eggnog Latte

Why you’ll love this recipe

Any eggnog lover will love this eggnog cocktail. You’ll love this recipe, for a few reasons:

• Creamy with the bold flavors of coffee and nutty eggnog, the Eggnog White Russian is a twist on a classic cocktail everyone should try.
• You’ll love trying this version with creamy eggnog!
• This simple cocktail is an easy recipe for beginner home mixologists.

It’s perfect for the holiday season. Sip it while decorating the Christmas tree, serve it at holiday parties or enjoy it as a nightcap after a long day of festivities. 

What is a White Russian?

White Russian cocktails are made with coffee liqueur, vodka and heavy cream. Creamy and sweet, it can pack quite a punch thanks to the two types of booze.

The White Russian is not actually from Russia. Like the Moscow Mule, which is also vodka-based, the moniker simply comes from the fact that it’s made with vodka, which is originally Russian. However, vodka is made in many countries these days.

In fact, the Black Russian — the White Russian’s predecessor — was created in the 1940s by a Belgian bartender named Gustave Tops the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. He designed it in honor of the American ambassador to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta.

The drink has faded in and out of popularity and saw a resurgence in the 1990s thanks to the movie The Big Lebowski. The White Russian is the drink of choice of the main character, The Dude, which helped to spark interest in this creamy cocktail.

Tools & glassware

To make this variation on the White Russian cocktail, you don’t need a lot of special equipment.

The ingredients can then be shaken in a cocktail shaker or stirred together in a mixing glass or your drinking glass. Then, you’ll pour it over ice into a rocks glass.

If you want to add a freshly grated nutmeg garnish, you’ll need a fine grater such as a Microplane.

Ingredients

A traditional White Russian contains just three simple ingredients: vodka, coffee liqueur and heavy cream. Oh, and ice! Don’t forget the ice.

But with this Eggnog White Russian, we’re mixing things up a bit. Here’s what you will need:

• Coffee liqueur: Kahlua and Tia Maria are popular brands, but you can use any. Making DIY coffee liqueur is also a delicious way to bring in your favorite coffee beans.
• Vanilla vodka: Absolut is my go-to brand for vanilla vodka, but when I’m out I use this hack for making vanilla vodka.
• Bourbon, brandy or rum: While these aren’t traditionally in the White Russian, they are in homemade eggnog and what you’d spike store-bought eggnog with. They add some depth of flavor to this vodka cocktail.
• Eggnog: We will use eggnog in place of the cream that’s used in the traditional drink. You can use any eggnog in this recipe. I like to make my own but store-bought, regular eggnog is great. I have some ideas for substitutions below!
• Garnish: You can finish it off with a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon. A cinnamon stick swizzle stick or a star anise floating on top would also be a good idea. 

Variations and substitutions

Try one of these variations on this recipe:

Flavored eggnog: Have fun with flavored eggnog you find at the store. There’s pumpkin eggnog, sugar cookie eggnog and even peppermint.

Dairy-free eggnog: Make a non-dairy version with this dairy-free eggnog. You can make it with coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk or oat milk.

Non-alcoholic Eggnog White Russian: Many store-bought eggnogs don’t contain alcohol. (In my state, you can only find spiked eggnog at the liquor store. The stuff you get from the grocery store is always alcohol-free.) Then you can use zero-proof coffee liqueur, such as Lyre’s Coffee Originale, zero-proof whiskey such as Ritual whiskey alternative and zero-proof vodka, such as Strykk Not Vodka.

How to make an Eggnog White Russian

You can put together this delicious drink in just a few easy steps, but there are two ways you can mix it up: shaking or building.

Shaken

Shaking your White Russian is the best way to mix up your cocktail because it makes your cocktail thick, creamy and frothy as the cream gets slightly whipped.

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all your ingredients.
2. Give it a really good shake.
3. Pour it into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Built

The other way is to “build” your cocktail, by pouring each ingredient into the glass. This is great if you don’t have a cocktail shaker or simply don’t feel like getting it out. (To be honest, this is what I do 90% of the time!)

1. Into a rocks glass filled with ice, pour in the vodka, whiskey and coffee liqueur.
2. Stir them together.
3. Then, top it with eggnog.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Use homemade eggnog. It truly makes such a big difference in texture and quality.
• Add a little extra flavor by mixing in some flavored simple syrup. Try vanilla syrup, cinnamon syrup or caramel syrup.
• Garnish it with freshly-grated nutmeg or a pinch of ground nutmeg. It’s a classic eggnog addition! You can also use ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick for a garnish.

What to serve with an Eggnog White Russian

Eggnog is always good with your favorite holiday treats. I love to make these eggnog cookies this time of year.

My other favorite holiday cookies are avalanche cookies and hot chocolate cookies, which would both pair really well with this Eggnog White Russian.

FAQ

More White Russians

• Pumpkin Spice White Russian
• S’mores White Russian
• Birthday Cake White Russian
• Cinnamon White Russian
• Peppermint White Russian