A rich and satisfying after-dinner drink blended from vodka, coffee liqueur, and light cream, the White Russian could almost be said to have it all. A one-stop source of alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and milk fat, the only legal substance it lacks is nicotine.
The Coen brothers' cult comedy classic, The Big Lebowski (1998), is a trippy, California-noir, loosely inspired by The Big Sleep (1946). But here, in the place of a hard-boiled, hard-drinking detective, we find the bowling-obsessed, bathrobe-wearing slacker, Jeffrey "the Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), who slurps down White Russians instead of rye.
We first meet the Dude in a supermarket shopping for drink ingredients (half-and-half, which he pays for with a $0.69 check), and, through the course of a convoluted plot involving a soiled rug, a millionaire, mistaken identity, a kidnapped trophy wife, nihilists, porn stars, marmot-wielding thugs, bowling, and avant-garde art, the cocktails remain a constant.
Sometimes they're referred to as "White Russians," other times, jokingly, "Caucasians." Usually they're made with cream, but occasionally, in a pinch, powdered non-dairy creamer. Nevertheless, "the Dude abides" - even when he drinks the one with the mickey slipped in.
White Russian Cocktail
(makes one)
1 1/2 oz. vodka (preferably chilled)
2/3 oz. Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur)
2/3 oz. light cream
Combine ingredients in an old fashioned glass over ice. Stir gently.
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the Big Lebowski is one of those cult classics--some coen brothers fans truly believe this to be one of their best movies, and there are fans of this fim who are somewhat immune to the coen charms overall. that said, i can think of no drink that would induce projectile vomiting faster than this potent cocktail of booze, caffeine, sugar and la dairy.
well, I like it! The drink that is (haven't seen the movie). I make it with milk, not cream, and add more than 2/3 oz.
Have never been sick on it; maybe I don't drink enough!
I fed these to people one NYE and it became the drink the carried us will into the next morning. We drunkenly discovered that soy milk works just fine -- and arguably, might even be a little bit better than the dairy version. Black russians, without the dairy component, are a little less... um "volitale" feeling.
Careful, man, there's a beverage here.
Soy Milk version is delicious. The Caucasian is the only way to go.
All the Dude wanted was his rug back.
I love this movie and love this cocktail, it has been my drink of choice for years. Only one mishap and that happened because I was stupidly (drunk) having this cocktail and then switching to a citrus based cocktail and then back again to the white russian. Needless to say I have never done that again!!!!
Love the movie, love the drink. I'm a rabid milk fiend (it was the only thing we drank at mealtimes growing up), so big surprise.
I make my White Russian with all milk, or half milk and half cream, but I'll have to try soy or rice milk sometime. I prefer mine with a shot each of vodka and Kahlua, and then filled to the top (usually a high-ball rather than an old-fashioned) with milk and/or cream. Tasty.
The drink is spectacular. If you are a Lebowski fan, check out Lebowski Fest. Let the Caucasian flow, Gary.
http://www.lebowskifest.com/
The office in which I work has cocktails every Friday at 6 in the conference room. Occasionally the gathering is themed, such as for Cinco de Mayo our receptionist made a pitcher of margaritas and ordered a 5 foot long burrito from a mediocre local Mexican restaurant. Anyway recently we had a Lebowski themed gathering. We cranked up and Creedence and downed creamy sweet white russians. It was kind of great.
Grant: That sounds like alot of fun... I'm glad you guys didn't play the Eagles. We all know what El Duderino thinks about them.
I love white russians, but admittedly didn't start drinking them until after getting into this movie. I usually will drink them after dinner, not before since they are too sweet for me then.
We have been known to imbide in the occasional Big Lebowski night which consists of drinking white russians while watching the movie, followed by late night bowling with more white russians.
Almost as much fun as a ferret filled bath.
- el duderino
Um, no one is mentioning that while a White Russian can be good on its own,to really appreciate their charm as experienced by the Dude, you have to drink them under the same condition (cough cough) he did.
At one point, my dad had the exact same sweater, haircut and beard and it makes the movie even funnier for me.
Far out, man.
trillium
nice marmot.
Love caucasions and the movie. During a birthday celebration we warmed up watching the movie and making a round each time the Dude abided, the warm up got us quite drunk and watching the film accompanied by White Russians has become a now 4 year old birthday tradition. (I swear I notice a new great line in the film everytime I watch it.)
Alternative to the White Russian ...
Replace the cream or Milk with Vanilla Ice Cream and Blend!! I think some might call this a Kaluha Mudd Slide (minus the chololate sauce) but I like to refer to it as the Siberian White Russian or in honor of the Dude, Chilly Caucasians.
Go HEAVY on the booze or you will gain 12 pounds before you even get a buzz on...
yeah. i smoke marijuana.
This reminds me...it's about time I had a Lebowski night up in my neighbourhood.
"Is this a....what day is this?"
White Russians: my mother's favorite drink. She even made her own Kahlua. She was a great, great lady.