Black Russian

Summary

The Black Russian is a cocktail of vodka and coffee liqueur. It contains 50 ml vodka and 20 ml coffee liqueur, per IBA specified ingredients.[1]

Black Russian
IBA official cocktail
A black Russian cocktail
TypeCocktail
Base spirit
ServedOn the rocks: poured over ice
Standard drinkware
Old fashioned glass
IBA specified
ingredients†
PreparationPour the ingredients into the old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Stir gently.
Commonly servedAfter dinner
† Black Russian recipe at International Bartenders Association

The drink is made by pouring the vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes or cracked ice in an old-fashioned glass and stirring.[2] The Black Russian is often garnished with a lemon slice and a Luxardo maraschino cherry on a stick.[3]

History edit

The Black Russian cocktail first appeared in 1949 and is ascribed to Gustave Tops, a Belgian barman, who created it at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels in honor of Perle Mesta, then United States Ambassador to Luxembourg.[4] The cocktail owes its name to the use of vodka, a typical Russian spirit, and the blackness of the coffee liqueur.

Variations edit

  • Dirty Black Russian, tall Black Russian, Australian Black Russian or Colorado bulldog: served in a highball glass and topped up with cola.[5]
  • Black magic: served with a dash of lemon juice and a lemon twist to garnish.[6]
  • Irish Russian or smooth Black Russian: served with a head of Guinness.[4][7]
  • Brown Russian: served in a highball glass and topped with ginger ale.[8]
  • Belarusian or white Russian: served with milk or cream.[1]
  • Mudslide: served with Irish cream, either fresh cream or ice cream, with or without chocolate sauce rim.[9]
  • Mind eraser: topped up with sparkling water.[10]
  • Paralyzer: Made with cola and milk in addition to vodka and coffee liqueur.[11]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Black Russian". IBA World. 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "SpiritDrinks.com - Black Russian". SpiritDrinks. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  3. ^ "Black Russian". Difford's Guide for Discerning Drinkers. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Regan, Gary (8 September 2008). "Behind The Drink: Black Russian". Liquor.com. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Tall Black Russian". Fluid Trade. Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  6. ^ "Black Magic". in-the-spirit.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  7. ^ "Smooth Black Russian recipe". DrinksMixer.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  8. ^ "Brown Russian". SpiritDrinks. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  9. ^ "Mudslide". Difford's Guide. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  10. ^ "The Mind Eraser: Vodka Drinks We Love". Liquor.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  11. ^ "Vodka Paralyzer". All Recipes. Retrieved 11 March 2023.