Name: Baileys White Russian
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Cocktails
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz Baileys; 1/2 oz vodka; 2 oz milk; Ice

Mix up something a little different and try a Baileys White Russian cocktail! A perfect twist on a classic White Russian.

I’ll never forget when I discovered that I like Baileys.

I was bartending in NYC and I had a regular who would come in on her lunch, alone, to enjoy a meal and a Baileys on the rocks.

I thought it was a really odd drink order until one day I tried it and realized that Baileys is certifiably delicious.

Maybe I always had an idea that it was for my grandmother’s generation (probably because the elders in my family would always put Baileys in their coffee), but I had just never considered it to be something I’d drink!

And as it turns out, I like it on its own or as a mixer. So let’s make a Bailey’s White Russian cocktail!

Psst — before you dive into this delicious drink, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group. I send these folks more of my very best cocktails, recipes, and DIY ideas.

Cocktails to Try

Since you’re here hunting around for cocktails, I took the liberty of rounding up some of my favorites for you!

I think our Bailey’s White Russian is delicious and cozy for the holidays, so here are a few other drinks that are perfect for this time of year.

What’s in a White Russian Cocktail?

But let’s back up a bit.

The creamy, cozy cocktail you’re about to make is a distant cousin of the original Black Russian cocktail.

A Black Russian is simply vodka and a coffee liqueur, like Kahlúa. It wasn’t invented in Russia, but the title simply gives a nod to vodka’s country of origin.

Shortly after the Black Russian came to be, bartenders began mixing in a bit of cream, creating a White Russian.

So traditionally, a White Russian is vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. But what’s a girl to do if she doesn’t like coffee?

Substituting Baileys

Substitute another liqueur, that’s what!

Baileys is a perfect substitute for the Kahlúa in a White Russian if you don’t want the flavor of coffee but love the cocktail.

The Baileys brings a creamy component to the cocktail, as it is itself a mix of Irish spirits, dairy cream, and chocolate and vanilla flavors.

It’s a lovely complement to the vodka because it smooths out the bite, and creates a drink that feels like a real treat.

I love serving and sipping a Baileys White Russian during happy hour or after dinner, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

It feels like a cozy but cool winter cocktail.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need many ingredients to make a Baileys White Russian, which is part of why I love it!

Vodka. A mid-range bottle is great for mixing cocktails; nothing too fancy is needed here.

Baileys. Baileys now makes lots of specialty flavors, but I prefer the classic bottle for thsi cocktail.

Milk. A small amount of milk brings the cocktail together. I’d recommend at least 2%, if not something heavier to give the cocktail a nice texture.

Ice. For some reason I love this cocktail over crushed ice, but you can experiment with what you like!

How to Make a Baileys White Russian

This is a cockail you can make right in the glass!

Add your preferred ice to a rocks glass. Pour in 1 1/2 oz of Baileys and 1/2 oz of vodka (you can adjust this to your preference). Top with 1-2 oz of your preferred milk.

Gently stir to combine. Cheers! xoxo