We give the classic White Russian a delightful Italian twist by adding Frangelico, a rich hazelnut liqueur. This cosy after-dinner cocktail combines coffee liqueur, vodka and a splash of heavy cream, finished with shaved dark chocolate for an indulgent touch.
Frangelico is one of my favourite liqueurs — delicious neat, stirred into an affogato or hot chocolate, and wonderful in cocktails. Adding it to a White Russian brings a nutty, aromatic layer that transforms the drink into a dessert-like treat.
This version is made with coffee liqueur (I used Kahlúa), Frangelico, vodka and a little heavy cream. The result is smooth, creamy and pleasantly boozy — ideal for the holiday season or as a special after-dinner tipple.
Read on for ingredient notes, serving suggestions and the simple method to make this Frangelico White Russian. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Kahlúa – My go-to coffee liqueur, but substitute your favourite brand if you prefer.
- Frangelico – A hazelnut liqueur that adds warm, nutty flavour. Excellent on its own or in desserts and drinks.
- Vodka – Use a vodka you like; it provides a clean backbone to the cocktail.
- Cream – Use heavy cream (double cream in the UK) for the right texture and richness; avoid low-fat alternatives.
Serving suggestions
This cocktail works well as an indulgent aperitif or as a dessert drink — it’s essentially coffee and dessert in one glass. Serve it after dinner, at a winter gathering, or whenever you want a rich, comforting cocktail.
For a sweet pairing, offer small Italian cookies such as cuccidati (fig cookies), Tegole Valdostane, or Baci di Dama — their textures and flavours complement the hazelnut and coffee notes beautifully.
More delicious cocktails to try
Drinks
Martini Macchiato Cocktail
Drinks
The Sbagliato Rosso
Drinks
The Ultimate Chocolate Martini
Drinks
Espresso Martini
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Frangelico White Russian Cocktail
By Emily
Ingredients
- 1 part coffee liqueur (we used Kahlúa) 1 fl oz / 30 ml
- 1 part Frangelico hazelnut liqueur 1 fl oz / 30 ml
- 1 part vodka 1 fl oz / 30 ml
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (double cream UK)
- Ice
- Dark chocolate for shaving or grating on top (optional)
Instructions
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Fill a short (rocks) glass with ice. Add the coffee liqueur, Frangelico and vodka, then stir gently to combine.
-
Carefully pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top without mixing too quickly.
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Finish with grated or shaved dark chocolate and serve immediately.
Helpful Info for All Recipes
- I use extra virgin olive oil in savoury recipes unless otherwise noted.
- For canned or jarred tomatoes I favour Cirio or Mutti for consistent flavour.
- Vegetable sizes are medium unless otherwise specified.
- All recipes are tested using a fan (convection) oven unless stated.
- Nutrition is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline.