Black Russian Cocktail: The Original Recipe

Chill an 'old fashioned' glass (low tumbler) with ice. With the help of a cocktail strainer, remove the excess water that has formed inside the glass.

Measure the vodka with the jigger and pour it directly into the glass.

Dose the coffee liqueur with the jigger and pour it directly into the glass.

Gently emulsify the ingredients using a barspoon. Swirl the spoon inside the glass, placing it against the sides of the glass.

Variant: the White Russian

The white version of this drink is prepared with cream on top and dates back to the '70s. Add the cream trying to prevent it from falling to the bottom of the glass. To make it float, pour it on the back of a spoon, resting on the edge of the glass, so as to make it fall gently and cascade. Do not mix.

Curiosity

The Black Russian dates back to 1949 and is a creation of Gustave Topsè, barman of the Metropole hotel in Brussels, who prepared it for the first time in honour of the US ambassador, Pearl Mesta. The name obviously doesn't need many explanations: black for the colour of the coffee, and Russian because the famous distillate of Russian origin is used.