• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Gin Cocktails
  • Vodka Cocktails
  • Tequila Cocktails
  • Rum Cocktails
  • Whiskey Cocktails
  • Brandy Cocktails
  • Shots
  • Mixed Drinks

Occasional Cocktails logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Drink Recipes
  • Cocktail eBook
  • Shots
  • Simple Syrup
  • About
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Drink Recipes
    • Cocktail eBook
    • Shots
    • Simple Syrup
    • About
  • ×
    Home » Vodka Cocktails

    May 17, 2023 by Kristin. This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Russian Coffee: a vodka and coffee sipper

    Jump to Recipe

    Looking for a warm drink with a little caffeine? Try out this Russian coffee which is a perfect addition to your next brunch.

    closeup of russian coffee in a rocks glass on a wooden table

    What is a Russian Coffee?

    A Russian coffee is a combination of hot coffee, vodka, Kahlua and amaretto. It is a hot drink that tastes like coffee infused with a nutty sweet cherry and it has a bite of vodka as it goes down.

    First, don’t confuse this alcohol infused Russian coffee with a raf coffee which is also sometimes called a Russian coffee but does not have any alcohol in it.

    Kahlua is a liqueur that has a sweet coffee flavor. It is made from arabica coffee beans, rum and sugar. In this drink, it helps bring in a sweetness while doubling down on the coffee flavor.

    Amaretto is a type of liqueur that has a slightly bitter almond-like flavor with notes of cherry. It provides a little bit of the nutty fruit flavor that infuses this drink.

    The name of this drink is due to the fact that the main liquor used is vodka. Though it’s not known for sure, vodka is thought to have originated in Russia and is a very popular liquor there. Therefore, some drinks with it is the main liquor have Russia or Russian in the name.

    When selecting the hot coffee to use for this drink, you can use any type of brewing method that you prefer. It’s recommended to use a strong, high quality yet unflavored coffee bean for this cocktail.

    When to Make This Drink:

    With the warmth and caffeine that is packed into this cocktail, you might want to think about serving it at times such as:

    • brunch
    • after dinner drinks
    • winter holidays
    • fall celebrations

    Variations:

    If you are interested in trying out some ways to change this drink up, test out a few of these ideas:

    • Leave out the amaretto. And mix in some red wine. This is an interesting way to add the slight sweet fruity flavor.
    • Substitute the Kahlua. Kahlua is one of the more well-known brands of coffee flavored liqueur. However, it’s not the only brand available. Try another brand such as Tia Maria.
    • Add a sweet garnish. Ramp up the sweetness and add a little creaminess to this coffee by adding a large dollop of whipped cream on top.
    • Amp up a sweetness. Mix in a little sugar or simple syrup if you want to have an even sweeter drink.

    A few similar hot coffee cocktails are: Mexican spiked coffee, Spanish coffee and Brandy coffee.

    How to make this drink:

    The thing that will take the longest to make this drink is brewing a cup of coffee. If you have 10 minutes you can get this drink mixed up and ready to go.

    Equipment:

    • Coffee mug or Rocks Glass
    • jigger
    • bar spoon

    Ingredients:

    • 1.5 oz Vodka
    • .5 oz Kahlua
    • .5 oz Amaretto
    • 4 – 5 oz Coffee
    rocks glass next to jigger, coffee pot, amaretto, kahlua and vodka

    Instructions:

    Step one

    Start out by making sure you have everything gathered together including vodka, Kahlua, amaretto, hot coffee, rocks glass or coffee mug, bar spoon and jigger.

    Step two

    Choose your favorite brewing method and brew up a cup of your favorite hot coffee.

    measuring vodka with a jigger

    Step three

    Use the jigger to measure 1 and ½ oz of vodka. Pour that into your rocks glass or coffee mug.

    pouring kahlua into a jigger

    Step four

    Use a jigger to measure 0.5 oz of Kahlua. Pour that into your rocks glass or coffee mug.

    measuring amaretto in a jigger

    Step Five

    Use a jigger to measure .5 oz of amaretto. Pour that into your rocks glass.

    pouring coffee into a glass

    Step Six

    Grab your pot of hot coffee and measure out 4 to 5 oz with a jigger. Then, pour it into your glass.

    Alternatively, you can pour the coffee directly into the glass just topping it off.

    If desired, give everything a little stir with a bar spoon and add a dollop of whipped cream if you want to garnish it.

    Recipe

    closeup of russian coffee in a rocks glass with ingredient bottles in the background

    Russian Coffee

    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Servings 1

    Equipment

    • jigger
    • Rocks glass
    • Coffee Pot
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 oz Vodka
    • .5 oz Kahlua
    • .5 oz Amaretto
    • 4 – 5 oz Hot Coffee

    Instructions
     

    • Brew up a pot of coffee using your preferred brewing method.
    • Grab the vodka and measure 1.5 oz with the jigger. Pour the vodka into the glass.5 oz Kahlua.5 oz Amaretto4 – 5 oz Coffee
    • Grab the kahlua and measure .5 oz with the jigger. Pour the kahlua into the glass.
    • Grab the amaretto and measure .5 oz with the jigger. Pour the amaretto into the glass.
    • Grab the coffee and measure 4 – 5 oz with the jigger. Pour the coffee into the glass.
      note: you can also just pour the coffee straight into the glass and top the glass off without measuring.
    Subscribe for More!Join our newsletter for more drink recipes.

    Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

    More Vodka Cocktail Recipes

    • Strawberry shortcake shot on a wooden table.
      20+ Vodka Shots That Are Perfect for Any Party Vibe
    • Vodka and 7up with lemon wedge on a wooden table.
      25+ Summer Vodka Cocktails to Keep You Cool and Refreshed
    • Raspberry martini with raspberries in the glass on a wooden table.
      Raspberry Martini: easy and fruity
    • Drunk witch drink in a rocks glass with green sugar rim and ingredients in the background.
      Drunk Witch Drink

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hey there, we are Kristin & Justin! After Justin spent over a decade as a bartender, we decided to bring that mixology online so everyone can mix up the best drinks

    More about us →

    Popular Cocktails

    • Tequila and sprite in a highball with a lemon wedge on the rim.
      Tequila And Sprite: The Margarita On A Budget
    • whiskey and cream soda in a glass with a cherry garnish
      Whiskey and Cream Soda Recipe
    • brandy and coke
      Brandy And Coke: Very Special Brandy Cola Recipe
    • Close up of a blue motherfucker drink with maraschino cherries and lemon wedge.
      Blue Motherfucker Drink (AKA Adios Motherfucker)
    • french kiss shot with ingredient bottles in the background
      Fun and Inappropriate Dirty Drink Names
    • Close up of a vodka sprite in a highball glass with lemon wedge on the rim.
      Vodka And Sprite

    NYE + Dry January Favorites

    • Hairy buffalo drink on a wooden table.
      10+ Big Batch Cocktails For Large Gatherings
    • Closeup of eggnog martini with ingredients in background.
      10+ Creamy Eggnog Cocktails
    • Champagne drinks in a grid - french 75, pornstar martini, blushing bride, thug passion.
      10+ Easy Champagne Cocktails for Celebrations
    • grid of - boozy hot chocolate, spanish coffee vampires kiss and tequila boom new years eve drinks.
      20+ New Year’s Eve Cocktails to Ring in the Year

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Join us!

    • Join our newsletter and get a FREE cocktail making cheat sheet.

    Contact

    • About

    Please drink responsibly.  Follow all local/federal alcohol laws.  We are not advocating underage or irresponsible drinking of any kind.

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 MrAnimal Media LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required