Black Russian
It does not get more basic than this: the Black Russian — just like its moniker — has only two ingredients – vodka and coffee liqueur. Bartenders recommend a 2.5:1 ratio of vodka and coffee liqueur, but it depends on individual tastes. Despite the name, it’s hardly a Russian drink. As to how this cocktail came into existence, we need to travel to Brussels during the onset of the Cold War.
The then-American ambassador to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta, was visiting Brussels in the late 1940s. She was at Hotel Metropole wherein the bartender Gustave Tops concocted a signature drink for her. That drink was Black Russian, a perfect reflection of the sombre atmosphere of the time. Mesta was quite a hostess, known for her numerous lavish soirees. It was rumoured that she also served the Black Russian among the many drinks at her parties. She was dubbed “Hostess with the Mostess” because of this and such was her fame that she appeared on the cover of TIME magazine in 1949. Mesta also served as the inspiration for Irving Berlin’s musical comedy called Call Me Madam. The drink truly earned its place in the hall of fame when it was featured in the 1998 film, The Big Lebowski. “Featured” would be an understatement, the lead character, called “The Dude”, downed eight of them throughout the movie.
So how did this socialite end up in Europe as an ambassador? It is said that the 33rd US President Harry Truman played the piano at one of her famous parties, wherein he appointed her as the Ambassador to Luxembourg. Her regular visits to that particular hotel are what made the bartender honour her with an original cocktail. She took the recipe back to Washington with her and her circle helped popularise the cocktail to such an extent that it was immortalised in films.
That being said, there's another drink that goes by a similar name with a few more ingredients added — we’re referring, of course, to the White Russian. Over time, numerous variations popped up and bartenders have put their own spins on the drink by adding different mixers like cola, lemon juice, ginger ale, and Irish cream. These improvisations have resulted in distinct concoctions with names like Dirty Black Russian, Tall Black Russian, Black Magic, Brown Russian, and Blind Russian. The versatility of the Black Russian has allowed it to be reinvented in multiple ways by incorporating additional spirits like rum and whiskey.
Ingredients
Method
Pick a mixer and fill it up with ice.
Pour the ingredients into it.
Stir well then strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
Pro-Tips:
Adjust the liqueur for more or less sweetness. More of the coffee liqueur will result in a sweeter cocktail.
You can have this cocktail at any time of the day but it is more suited to being a nightcap, drunk right after dinner.
It’s a bit on the strong side, so it's advisable to have some food instead of having it on an empty stomach. And do enjoy it safely and responsibly.
