If you’ve never had one, think of the White Russian as the grown-up milkshake of the cocktail world: vodka, coffee liqueur, and a generous pour of heavy cream served over ice.

This creamy classic has been around since the 1960s, a spin-off of the darker, stronger Black Russian. But it was The Big Lebowski that gave the White Russian its cult status. Thanks to Jeff Bridges’ character, The Dude, the drink saw a full-blown resurgence in the late ’90s and has never really left the scene since. It’s also the perfect cocktail to wrap up winter. While lighter drinks lean toward citrus and spritz, this one leans into comfort. It’s also surprisingly easy to make and requires just three ingredients.

Ingredients

• 50ml vodka
• 25ml Kahlúa (or any coffee liqueur)
• 25ml heavy cream
• Ice cubes

Method

1. Fill a short glass (like an old-fashioned glass) with ice.
2. Add the vodka and Kahlúa.
3. Gently pour the cream over the top.
4. Sip and enjoy slowly.

Variations to try:

• Dirty Russian: Swap out cream for chocolate milk.
• Blind Russian: Replace the Kahlúa with Baileys Irish Cream.
• Iced Russian: Use cold brew coffee instead of cream.
• Vegan Russian: Use oat cream or coconut cream to keep it dairy-free.
• Spiced Russian: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg.