This chai white Russian cocktail has all the great flavors of the classic plus a delicious holiday spin from chai spice-infused cold cream.
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Why make this recipe?
This holiday-flavored white Russian is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Just like this spiced Irish coffee and this spiced eggnog, the drink has all the great flavors of the classic plus warm and cozy, flavorful spices.
Ingredients needed:
For the chai-spiced cream:
For the chai white Russian:
Ingredient notes:
- You can usually find several different brands of coffee liqueur in a liquor store. Some common brands are Kahlua and Kapali.
How to make it:
See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!
Infusing cold cream with chai spices is very easy to do but it does take time because the cream and the spices will need to chill in the fridge for 12 hours.
Step 1 (optional). If you have a mortar and pestle, add the cloves, peppercorns and cardamom seeds to it and lightly crush them. That will help release their flavors. If you don’t have mortar and pestle, simply skip this step and use the whole seeds.
Step 2. Peel, then thinly slice the piece of fresh ginger.
Step 3. Add all spices to the cream.
Step 4. Make sure the spices are submerged in the cream. Cover, then transfer the mix into the fridge and chill for 12 hours. After the chill time, strain out the spices.
How to serve it:
When you’re ready to make the drinks, add ice cubes to each glass, then pour equal parts coffee liqueur, vodka and chai spice-infused cream over them.
Frequently asked questions:
A white Russian cocktail is a classic three-ingredient alcoholic drink made with coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua), vodka and cream (or sometimes half and half). The proportions of the ingredients can differ between different white Russian recipes but the three main ingredients are usually the same.
The White Russian cocktail apparently got its name from the fact that vodka is one of the main ingredients. It did not actually originate in Russia.
Whether or not you mix a white Russian is up to you! The drink looks prettier when layered but I personally think it tastes better when mixed.
More delicious coffee liqueur desserts:
See more dessert recipes →
Did you make this recipe? It would be awesome if you could leave a rating. Either tap or click the stars in the recipe card or leave a comment below. Thanks!
Full Printable Recipe
Chai White Russian
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- mortar and pestle (optional)
- knife and cutting board
- liquid measuring cup OR bowl
- plastic wrap
- sieve
Ingredients
For the chai-spiced cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream, cold
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 10 whole cloves, lightly crushed*
- 1 – inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, lightly crushed*
- ½ teaspoon cardamom seeds, lightly crushed*
For the white Russians:
- 1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 cup chai-spiced cream
- ice cubes
Instructions
For the chai-spiced cream:
- Add all ingredients to a liquid measuring cup or bowl, cover and chill in the fridge for 12 hours.
- Strain out the spices.
For the white Russians:
- Add a few ice cubes to each glass.
- Add equal parts of coffee liqueur, vodka and chai-spiced cream to each glass.
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom
Seriously, what’s not to love about a white Russian?! Especially when it’s infused with chai spice! This is dangerous drink for me…. very dangerous!
Nicole B.
It’s very dangerous for me too!! :)
Julia
Nicole this drink looks AMAZING. I actually am going to try this for Thanksgiving day and look forward to everyones reaction. Yum!! Also your pictures are absolutely spectacular. I’ve now spent almost an hour reading all of your photography posts, oops! Thanks for sharing all of your tricks, it helps!!
Nicole B.
That is so great to hear, Julia! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and let me know how your guests liked the drink. :)
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
That shot took my breath away, and now I’m just craving one!
Nicole B.
Thank you Sue, that is so nice of you to say. Wish I could bring you a glass! :)
Hannah
Beautiful photo, and the drink sounds absolutely delish!
xx Hannah // http://www.HomemadeBanana.com
Nicole B.
Thank you, Hannah! :)
THE HUNGRY MUM
Saw this on Google plus and had to check it out! What a gorge cocktail – so elegant.
Nicole B.
Thank you so much, hungry mum! :)
Amanda | The Chunky Chef
Ohhhhh, anything Chai has my name written alllll over it :) That pouring shot… WOW! I definitely need to work on my action shots… this is just stunning :D
Nicole B.
Thank you so much, Amanda! I should do more action shots myself, they always add an extra dimension of deliciousness. :)
Kevin | Keviniscooking
That is just the best action shot I’ve ever seen! What a photo and the… splash of chia infused cream (brilliant and sounds so tasty!) makes it look like an ocean wave of deliciousness Nicole! Wow.
Nicole B.
Thank you SO much, Kevin! An ocean wave of deliciousness, I love that description! :)
Louise | Cygnet Kitchen
What a beautiful shot! I am seriously in awe, Nicole x
Nicole B.
You are so sweet, thank you, Louise! :)
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Perfect dessert as far as I’m concerned. I’ve always like the Black Russian but you’ve taken it to the stratosphere!! I love your spices, I can almost feel them tingling on my tongue. I love your pour shot — one of these days I’ll have to tell you how my photo set up turned out to be a Keystone Kop adventure!!
Nicole B.
Thank you, Marisa! That does sound like a great story! :)