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: 2% [?]

Ingredients:

1 oz Jamaican Rum
1 oz Brandy
1 oz Madeira
1 whole Egg
1 tsp Powdered Sugar
3/4 cup Milk

Directions: Shake all ingredients well with cracked ice and strain into a collins glass. Sprinkle nutmeg on top and serve.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ingredients:

1/2 oz Scotch
1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Rum
1/2 oz white Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz Light cream

Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Brandy
1 tsp Jamaican Rum
1/2 tsp Triple sec
1/2 tsp Pineapple juice
1 dash Bitters
1 Cherry

Directions: Shake all ingredients (except cherry) with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with the cherry and serve.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ingredients:

1 oz Vodka
1 oz Rum
1 oz Midori melon liqueur
Lemonade
1 Cherry

Directions: Shake Vodka, Rum, and liqueur and pour over ice in a highball glass. Fill with lemonade, add the cherry on top, and serve.

Popularity: 2% [?]