Black Russian
The stripped-down predecessor to the White Russian. Just vodka and Kahlua over ice, this Cold War-era cocktail is a bold, bittersweet study in simplicity.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Kahlua
- orange peel twist (garnish) garnish
Pairs With
Pair with roasted almonds, dark chocolate-covered espresso beans, or Italian biscotti to balance the drink's bold coffee-liqueur profile.
Instructions
Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice cubes
Pour vodka over the ice
Add Kahlua
Stir gently for 10 to 15 seconds to combine and chill
Express an orange peel over the drink and drop it in as a garnish
Tips
The simplicity of this cocktail means the ratio matters — adjust the Kahlua up or down by a quarter ounce to suit your sweetness preference An orange peel twist adds a citrus brightness that lifts the heavy coffee flavors Try it with a rye-based vodka for a slightly spicier, more complex version