The Tavern Wench is one of my favorite bartending related blogs. I love taverns and I love wenches, so it’s really the perfect blog for me. Recently, she offered some sage wisdom on the subject of White Russians. Most importantly, she nails the #1 crime bartenders often commit when making this drink: DON’T SHAKE IT!

The most important thing in keeping the White Russian classic is to avoid shaking it. Many bartenders make the error of using the tin until the drink is so disrupted that it resembles a chocolate milkshake. Please, please avoid this technique. There’s beauty in simplicity; just build on ice and the cocktail will look gorgeous. The trick is an ever-so-slight swirl with a swizzle stick until the liquor and cream seem to just marry each other, like the most pleasant of shotgun weddings.

In her White Russian Bible she elaborates on the art of making White Russians and gives recipes for a variety of kahlua and vodka drinks, including the modern classic: The Anna Kournikova.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Ingredients:

1 oz Kahlua
1/2 oz Vodka
5 oz Chocolate ice-cream

Directions: Combine all ingredients in an electric blender and blend at a low speed for a short length of time. Pour into a chilled champagne flute and serve.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Ingredients:

2 oz Dark Rum
1 oz Kahlua
1 Egg white

Directions: In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Scotch
1 oz Kahlua
1/2 oz Triple sec
1/2 oz Lemon juice

Directions: In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Shake well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Brandy
1/2 oz Kahlua

Directions: Pour ingredients into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes, stir well, and serve.

Popularity: 2% [?]