When Ethan and Joel Coen’s brainchild The Big Lebowski came out in 1998, it didn’t do very well at the box office. But over time people turned it into a sleeper hit, cult classic so much so that, inspired from the protagonist in the movie "The Dude", a whole new religion called ‘Dudeism’ came into existence. Yes, you read that right, it is a bona fide religion!
During the course of this movie, we see The Dude played by the renowned Oscar winning actor Jeff Bridges down the now-famous alcoholic beverage, White Russian, 9 times! That’s a lot of screentime for a cocktail, given the magnitude of this movie’s likeability and reach. So, if you’re looking for something to get your workweek blues off and you’re someone who abides, like “The Dude”, here’s 5 ways you can make the fabled White Russian
1. The Classic White Russian
The classic White Russian is basically three ingredients served chilled.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml. of vodka
- 30 ml. of kahlúa
- 30 ml. of half and half (Half parts whole milk and half parts heavy cream)
- A square cube of ice
Method:
- Mix together Kahlúa (or other coffee-flavored liqueur), Vodka, and Half-and-Half or Whole Milk in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Either strain into a glass or serve on the rocks.
2. The Dude’s Delight
This cocktail recipe was invented by New Orleans bartender Tim Webb, and this might have a lot of ingredients but the method is quite straightforward.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml. of vodka (80 proof)
- 30 ml. of cold brew coffee
- 30 ml. of coffee liqueur
- 120 ml. of whole milk
- 8 ml. of luxardo sambuca
- A dash of cocoa powder
- A square cube of Ice
Method:
- In a cocktail shaker, add the ice cube, followed by the vodka, sambuca, coffee liqueur, milk and cold brew.
- Put a lid on it and shake it vigorously, to create a frothy texture and consistency from the dairy products which are added in the drink.
- Strain it and garnish with a couple shakes of cocoa powder over the frothy upper layer of the drink and enjoy!
3. The Dude Abides
For this creation we have to thank Daniel Thompson, head bartender at Nitehawk Cinema, in Brooklyn, New York, because it is the only White Russian variation which can be enjoyed by people that are lactose intolerant. But it is equally flavourful and creamy like a White Russian should be and here’s how to make it.
Ingredients:
- ½ glass of dark beer
- 30 ml. of coffee infused vodka
- 15 ml. of ancho reyes
- 8 ml. of honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)
- 8 ml. of walnut liqueur
- 1 egg white
- 1 square cube of ice
Method:
- In a cocktail shaker add the egg white, followed by the coffee infused vodka, ancho reyes, walnut liqueur and honey syrup and dry shake it for 20 seconds, or when you feel the egg white has completely been incorporated with the alcohol inside.
- Open it and add the ice cube and shake it again till the shaker feels cool to the touch.
- In an old-fashioned glass, add the dark beer till it's at the halfway point and then strain the contents of the shaker over it to make this signature drink.
4. The Naughty Dog
This adult root beer float comes from the genius mind of Erick Castro, who is the owner of Polite Provisions bar based out of San Diego, California. The ingredients are simple and the method is even more effortless, but don’t let it fool you because it is delicious and pays exact homage to the classic White Russian in all certainty.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml. of rum
- 30 ml. of kahlúa
- 75 ml. of root beer
- 8 ml. of heavy cream
- Pinch of nutmeg
Method:
- In a tall glass, add rum, followed by ice cold root beer, then kahlúa and heavy cream.
- Garnish it with a dash of ground nutmeg and your beverage is ready!