Irish White Russian Cocktail with Four Ingredients

In this Irish White Russian recipe, you’ll replace the classic vodka and Kahlua with Irish whiskey and Bailey’s coffee liqueur. This speciality White Russian cocktail is a fun twist on my favorite drink!

Being totally honest, this is one of my favorite drinks of all time. So delicious! I love the Kahlúa mixed with vodka and heavy cream – it’s almost like a dessert!

I’m used to the classic drink, but have you ever tried a White Russian cocktail recipe that’s a bit different? You’re about to.

Why Do They Call it a White Russian?

I’ve ALWAYS wondered this, so I finally looked it up. Technically it was first called a “black Russian,” then when cream was added to the beverage, the “black” changed to “white” (although you can still order black Russians these days).

Everyone believes it’s because of the vodka in the original recipe, and the cocktail has been called that since the 1940s.

White . . . Leprechaun

We’re bringing a pot of Irish gold with our Irish White Russian recipe. This cocktail recipe is a whimsical play on the iconic, legendary and stalwart cocktail.

We decided to have a bit of fun and replaced the longstanding vodka with the one-upmanship of Irish whiskey. It’s technically not “Russian” anymore, and so I guess we can call it by a new name: a White Leprechaun!

We horse traded the Kahlúa for a spot of bright-eyed and busy-tailed coffee liqueur, and we’ve also swirled into the mix a thimbleful (or more) of Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur. What is the difference between the two? Here’s what the experts have to say:

• “Bailey’s is smoother and buttery sweet. Kahlua is more coffee flavored.”
• “Bailey’s tastes kinda nutty; Kahlua tastes more like chocolate.”
• “Kahlua is coffee flavored in a rum base and is made with smashed Arabica coffee beans, caramelized sugar or corn syrup, and vanilla beans. Baileys is an Irish Whiskey base and caramelized sugar or corn syrup and cream (creamy toasted-caramel flavor).”

After a taste of our decidedly Gaelic infusion, tell us we’ve done something wrong. You won’t.

PS – if you want to go for the traditional vodka for this recipe because that’s what you have, totally fine. But I’m asking you to try this next time, pretty please. It’s such a fun variation.

Now here’s the recipe. Oh, and by the way, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

White Russian with Whiskey

Ingredients

• 1 ounce Jameson Irish Whiskey
• 2 1/2 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
• 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
• Dash of heavy cream
• Ice cubes

Glass: Use a standard rocks or whiskey glass.

Directions

Fill glass with ice cubes.

In a cocktail shaker add whiskey, Bailey’s Irish Cream, coffee liqueur and a dash of heavy cream. Drop in an ice cube.

Shake vigorously and strain into an ice cube filled glass.

Serve and enjoy.

And whether or not you get “the chronics,” drink responsibly and never drink and drive.

Get the printable Irish White Russian recipe here:

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If you like this drink, you might like this Irish cream alcoholic milkshake. Talk about an amazing, boozy dessert! I’d also love for you to check out these beverages:

• Spiked Hot Chocolate Whiskey with Marshmallows
• This Orange Whiskey Sour Recipe Goes Down Easy
• Cherry Whiskey Sour Recipe (Smooth & Tart!)
• Jagermeister And Coke Boozy Drink Recipe
• White Russian with Whiskey Web Story