Black russian

Black Russian is a type of cocktail that is traditionally made with vodka and coffee liqueur. The drink is typically served in an Old Fashioned glass and is often garnished with a maraschino cherry.

History

The Black Russian was first created in 1949 by a Belgian bartender named Gustave Tops. He invented the drink at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels in honor of Perle Mesta, the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg. The name "Black Russian" is believed to have been chosen due to the drink's primary ingredient of vodka, a typical Russian spirit, and the black color of the coffee liqueur.

Preparation

To prepare a Black Russian, one part vodka is poured over ice cubes in an Old Fashioned glass, followed by two parts coffee liqueur. The ingredients are then stirred gently until well mixed. While the traditional recipe calls for these proportions, some variations may use equal parts vodka and coffee liqueur, or more vodka than coffee liqueur.

Variations

There are several variations of the Black Russian. The most well-known is the White Russian, which adds a layer of cream or milk on top of the vodka and coffee liqueur. Another variation is the Dirty Black Russian, also known as a "Tall Black Russian", which includes a layer of cola. The Brown Russian is a variation that replaces the coffee liqueur with chocolate liqueur.

In popular culture

The Black Russian, like many cocktails, has made appearances in various forms of popular culture. It is often associated with sophistication and class, and has been featured in films, television shows, and literature.

See also

• List of cocktails
• White Russian (cocktail)
• Dirty Black Russian
• Brown Russian