The Black Russian is a cocktail of vodka and coffee liqueur. It contains 50 ml vodka and 20 ml coffee liqueur, per IBA specified ingredients.[1]

Black Russian
IBA official cocktail
A black Russian cocktail
TypeCocktail
Base spirit
ServedOn the rocks: poured over ice
Standard drinkware
Old fashioned glass
IBA specified
ingredients†
PreparationPour the ingredients into the old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Stir gently.
Commonly servedAfter dinner
Black Russian recipe at International Bartenders Association

The drink is made by pouring the vodka and coffee liqueur over ice cubes or cracked ice in an old-fashioned glass and stirring.[2] The Black Russian is often garnished with a lemon slice and a Luxardo maraschino cherry on a stick.[3]

History

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The Black Russian cocktail first appeared in 1949 and is ascribed to Gustave Tops, a Belgian barman, who created it at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels in honor of Perle Mesta, then United States Ambassador to Luxembourg.[4] The cocktail owes its name to the use of vodka, a typical Russian spirit, and the blackness of the coffee liqueur.

Variations

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  • Dirty Black Russian, Tall Black Russian, Australian Black Russian or Colorado Bulldog: served in a highball glass and topped up with cola.[5]
  • Black Magic: served with a dash of lemon juice and a lemon twist to garnish.[6]
  • Irish Russian or Smooth Black Russian: served with a head of Guinness.[4][7]
  • Brown Russian: served in a highball glass and topped with ginger ale.[8]
  • Belarusian or white Russian: served with milk or cream.[1]
  • Mudslide: served with Irish cream, either fresh cream or ice cream, with or without chocolate sauce rim.[9]
  • Mind Eraser: topped up with sparkling water.[10]
  • Paralyzer: Made with cola and milk in addition to vodka and coffee liqueur.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Black Russian". IBA World. 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-09. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "SpiritDrinks.com - Black Russian". SpiritDrinks. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  3. ^ "Black Russian". Difford's Guide for Discerning Drinkers. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Regan, Gary (8 September 2008). "Behind The Drink: Black Russian". Liquor.com. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Tall Black Russian". Fluid Trade. Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  6. ^ "Black Magic". in-the-spirit.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  7. ^ "Smooth Black Russian recipe". DrinksMixer.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  8. ^ "Brown Russian". SpiritDrinks. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  9. ^ "Mudslide". Difford's Guide. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  10. ^ "The Mind Eraser: Vodka Drinks We Love". Liquor.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  11. ^ "Vodka Paralyzer". All Recipes. Retrieved 11 March 2023.